County purchase advanced life support ambulances to boost health care

One of the new ambulances belonging to Nakuru County Government that were acquired to boost health services delivery in the County. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

The county government has bought 10 modern ambulances at a cost of Sh100 million to boost referral services.

The advanced and basic life support ambulances were budgeted for in the past financial year. 

Public Health Chief Officer Samuel King’ori said five of the ambulances are equipped with advanced equipment while the others are for basic life support.

Mr King’ori said advanced life support shall provide hospital to hospital referrals while basic are community-based and shall transport patients from respective localities to nearest hospitals.

“Newly-purchased modern ambulances shall offer quality health care to patients as they are efficient and economical,” said King’ori.

The advanced ambulances seen by The Standard operate like an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), installed with oxygen, portable suction unit, spinal board, monitor, map reading light and first aid kits.

They also have emergency bags, stretcher, sphygmomanometer and drugs kitty, equipment used to offer services to patients in critical condition.

The ambulances are ideal for doctor appointments, provide extra support to patients in a critical condition and cardiac monitoring.

“Advanced ambulances shall provide hospital to hospital referrals and are like an ICU that offer services to patients in critical state,” he said.

Basic life support ambulances on the other hand shall provide transport to patients who require medical care.

“Patients who require medical transportation and close medical monitoring shall use basic life support ambulances,” he said.

The most affected localities in referral, according medical records, are remote parts of Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Molo and parts of Subukia where roads network is also poor.

Each of the ambulances shall be operated by paramedics trained on patient care. At least 30 paramedics shall be employed to offer the services.

Drivers operating the ambulances are also among paramedics who shall also offer health services to patients in critical condition.

“Each ambulance shall be operated by at least six trained paramedics,” he said.

The modern ambulances are installed with car trackers and communication system that shall be monitored from one point to another for effective service delivery.

He noted that they will be operated at dispatch centre located at the Rift valley Provincial General Hospital, a central place for the county.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui said Nakuru is located along the Northern Corridor, a route that has in the past reported numerous road accidents that lead to deaths.

“Ambulances will help save lives of victims of crash and emergencies in different parts of the county and along the busy Eldoret Nakuru highway,” he said.