Uganda Red Cross gets 10 ambulances to manage road accidents

HEALTH   ACCIDENTS

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in partnership with the Ministry of Health have regionalized the management of ambulance services for easy management, monitoring and response to road accident emergencies across the country.

This was revealed in a stakeholders meeting held at Meliver Guest House, Mbarara City over the weekend. 

The meeting was attended by officers from the health ministry, URCS Greater Mbarara region, Traffic Police, representatives from Boda boda cyclists, taxis and buses among others. It was graced by Lt. Col. James Mwesigye as the guest of honour.

Charles Ngabirano, the URCS national council representative greater Mbarara region said the URCS will be managing more than 10 ambulances and the first ambulance will reach URCS offices, Rwebikoona, Mbarara city before this month ends. 

He said each region will have an ambulance well-equipped and highlighted to routes that were marked out by the health ministry, works and transport ministry and the Police for smooth operation. He said these ambulances are strictly meant for road accidents.

According to Edson Aherezibwa, the volunteer management officer, the ambulances are fully functional and that the URCS is empowered to manage the ambulance services in response to accident emergencies.

He said they will be managed by a technical team composed of trained Doctors and Drivers. 

He added that the ambulances will operate on highways considered to be hot spot areas prone to accidents.

Aherezibwa said "The ambulances will serve at Kampala- Jinja highway, Masaka-Mbarara highway, Mbarara-Kabale highway, Kampala-Gulu highway, Mbale -Soroti highway, Kampala-Hoima highway, Kampala-Fort portal highway and Kampala-Lira highway. 

The other two ambulances, Aherezibwa said will be stationed at the Uganda Red Cross Society headquarters to serve the Kampala area.

Byaruhanga William, an officer from the emergency department, Ministry of Health said "The ambulances are well-equipped to the standards and National Ambulance guidelines. 

For the Greater Mbarara region, the ambulances will be stationed at URCS regional offices located in Rwebikona, Kamukuzi Division, Mbarara City for easy management, monitoring and deployment."

"More than 80 percent of the people admitted to hospitals have been involved in accident incidents and most were rescued by the URCS. We do appreciate your contribution because the Red cross reaches where the ministry is unable to respond quickly". William said. 

For quick response to an accident emergency, Byaruhanga said the health ministry introduced an emergency call number 911.

He said all the calling centres work 24/7 across all the regions. For the Greater Mbarara region, the call centre is at Mbarara Referral Hospital.

Byaruhanga explained that the health ministry and URCS partnership is vital because the Red Cross has the capacity and there is already substantial evidence of emergency response gaps like Bududa landslides, Ebola epidemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Ngabirano said the reason why URCS decided to take over the management of ambulances is to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible.