Zamfara State Government has on Thursday distributed 17 brand new Toyota Hiace bus ambulances to all its General Hospitals spread across the 17 emirates of the state.
The ambulances were handed over by the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Habibu Yelwa at a ceremony held at the Government House, Gusau.
During the handing over of the ambulances to the benefiting secondary health facilities, Mr Yelwa said it was in fulfilment of the state governor’s promise to bring healthcare services closer to the communities.
“The state government is aware of the logistics problems faced by our hospitals especially in transporting emergency cases to referrals and we believe this will go a long way in addressing the situation.
“The ambulances are well equipped with oxygen gas cylinders and masks, first aid boxes, trolleys, chairs and other necessary life support gadgets that will handle cases even on transit.
“While l thank our governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle for the gesture, l want to call on the benefiting communities to ensure the effective utilization of these facilities by treating them as their personal properties and guard against under utilization and abuse,’’ he charged.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Principal Medical Officer of General Hospital, Tsafe, Dr Abdullahi Wanzamai thanked the state government for the effort.
He noted that delays on emergency cases that were caused due to lack of transportation would now be eliminated.
“We have lost many people especially women on emergency cases due to lack of ambulances at the facility.
“l wants to assure the government that we will now double our efforts and be ready to receive and adequately handle emergencies,’’ he said.
NAN
