RDC hands over $10M ambulance to the Linden Hospital Complex

Sep 04, 2014 News

The new Ambulance that was presented to the Upper Demerara Hospital

By Jacquey Bourne

At a simple handing over ceremony yesterday in the old hospital compound – under the St John’s Ambulance Brigade shed – Chairman of the Health Committee, Maurice Butters, handed over the keys for a new ambulance to Chairman of the Linden Hospital Complex Board, Mortimer Mingo.

The $10.241M Toyota Prado ambulance which was part of the 2013 Capital project for the Region was procured from the Beharry Group of Companies for the Linden Hospital Complex.

In brief remarks, Hospital Board Chairman, Mortimer Mingo said “the hospital is pleased to have this very important piece of equipment and it will go to the Wismar Hospital where residents and/or patients who seek to have medical assistance would have easy access. The question of ambulances in Region 10 has always been a sore point and we always try to ensure that an ambulance is available not only in Linden but further afield, like Kwakwani and Ituni, so that the people we are obligated to serve would be able to be transported there in relative comfort.”

Health Committee Chairman, Maurice Butters said, that ambulances were donated to the Hospital Complex before and none are working.

“This ambulance is one realisation of the effort made now to ensure the Wismar Hospital is put in a position that it can provide the right kind of care for the residents of Wismar. We would agree that Wismar is expanding… large in population, and not having a route for the Blue Berry Hill/Christianburg area, this ambulance would be of great service for the people of Wismar.”

Butters also said he shared the same sentiment as other speakers, but he called for a more concerted will for the two entities – the Region and the Hospital – to work closer together so that they can realise far more than what is presented.

In addition, Butters called for better management of the vehicles.

“One basic thing is needed – the need for proper management – not the senior person, but each individual who has to come into contact with the vehicle. If that can happen we will spend less on repairs and acquire more vehicles for other purposes.”

The Chief Executive Officer (acting) Trevor Vangenderen said, this is the third ambulance acquired by the Regional Administration and it would enhance the emergency care at the hospital.

Also attending the handing over ceremony was the Regional Executive Officer, members of the Nursing staff, other hospital staff, and staff of the Ambulance Brigade.