Ambulance services are free — Abdullahi

 

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has said the emergency health services are free to any resident who needs them.

Speaking on Saturday when he flagged off nine additional vehicles, he said his administration is committed to providing quality health care services to residents.

“The county emergency response is designed to provide 24/7 emergency health services to anyone who needs it, anywhere in the county at no cost to the patient,” he said.

Present were Deputy Governor Ahmed Muhumed and Health executive Habiba Ali.

There have been public complaints that some members of the emergency department ask for money first before responding to distress calls from patients who to be ferried to hospital.

Concerns have also been raised that they are slow to respond when called upon.

Expectant mothers have been the hardest hit by lack of ambulances, leading to a high mortality rate and stillbirths.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi speaking he flagged off nine additional fleet of ambulances so as to enhance our emergency response across the county.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Abdullahi warned anyone engaging or planning to engage in such acts that his administration will not hesitate to take stern action against them.

He said this is directly contributing to compromised health standards.

The county will upgrade and categorise the fleet of ambulances to basic life support, advanced life support and mobile intensive care unit, which will be staffed by skilled and trained medical personnel.

Plans are under way to make sure each ward has an ambulance that is on standby to transport patients.

This will go a long way in not only saving lives but also reducing the maternal mortality rate, the governor said.

Some of the nine additional fleet of ambulances that were flagged off by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO

“As we promised during the campaigns, providing quality health care services is one of the priorities of our administration,” he said.

“Our promise to upgrade Wajir County Referral Hospital is up in gear, thus the need to have effective emergency response and referral services.”

During his previous term as a pioneer governor, Abdullahi came up with the decision to have an independent emergency unit to coordinate all the referrals across the county and fast-track access to ambulance services.

This, he said, has immensely reduced the referrals of patients to Garissa and Nairobi, making it cost-effective in terms of fuel and allowance expenditure to the department.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has a word with Health Executive Habiba Ali during the flagging off of nine ambulances.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO

He appealed to the public, government officials as well as local and national leaders to cooperate with the Emergency department.

They should respect the referral policies and guidelines to give them a conducive environment to discharge their duty and offer their best, he said.

Last month, the governor fired a warning shot at county staff who collude with unscrupulous business people to steal drugs and medical equipment meant for public hospitals.

Such people will be arrested and subjected to a court of law, he said, adding that out-of-court settlement will not be tolerated.

The governor said his administration is committed to collaborating with the national government, partners and all stakeholders to enhance services.      BY THE STAR