By Ritah Ainembabazi
The ministry of health has received 10 emergency vehicles donated by the government of Japan to help in emergency services.
The donation includes 4 ambulance vehicles, 4 fire fighting trucks, one command car and a rescue car.
It followed a request by the ministry of health to the government of Japan to support it with the emergency vehicles due to many emergency conditions in the country.
While receiving the donation at the ministry of health headquarters this morning, Moriku Kaducu the state minister for primary health care noted that at the moment, less than 25% of the people in Uganda who need an ambulance for emergency response get it.
She said the country has 173 functional government ambulances out of 450 required in the country adding the donation will go along way in reducing the gap.
“7/10 causes of mortality in Uganda are due to emergency conditions and having a functional ambulance system can reduce the death or complications due to emergency conditions significantly” the minister said.
She added that these ambulances and other emergency vehicles will help in responsiveness during major medical incidents and disasters. ” In Uganda road crashes, fire outbreaks, water boat accidents and other emergencies are becoming common. There’s therefore need for preparedness” minister Kaducu noted
Hamida Kibirige the Executive Director Japan- Africa development while officially handing over the emergency vehicles to the ministry called for proper mentainance of these vehicles to be able to help them in emergency situations.
