Reg. 10 receives $17M river ambulance
The river ambulance for the Upper -River valued at $17M
The river ambulance for the Upper -River valued at $17M

THE Ministry of Public Health has handed over a river ambulance to Region 10 and five passenger boats for several riverine communities.

The vessels were handed over to the respective Regional Health Officials (RHOs) on Tuesday, at the compound of the Central Supplies Unit in Kingston, Georgetown.

The river ambulance was supplied by Meditron and cost some $17M, while the five boats totalled $2.6M. John Adams, Technical Adviser to the Ministry of Public Health, handed over the keys to the river ambulance to Regional Health Officer, Region 10, Dr. Pansy Armstrong. The five boats are to be given to Regions Seven, Three, and other areas.

The five boats which are to be given to Regions Seven, Three, and other areasThe five boats which are to be given to Regions Seven, Three, and other areas

RHO for Region 10, Dr. Pansy Armstrong, noted that it was the second river ambulance the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice area had received within a year; the first was handed over in April 2019.

Dr. Armstrong said the new vessel “will be used in the Demerara River for healthcare delivery, as well as to transport medical emergencies to the hospital.” She explained that it would be stationed in the Malali area which is the furthest point on the Demerara River and will help make healthcare more accessible for the residents.

John Adams, Technical Adviser to the Public Health Ministry, hands over the keys to the river ambulance to Regional Health Officer, Region 10, Dr. Pansy Armstrong

Meanwhile, Technical Adviser to the Public Health Minister, John Adams, said the five boats would serve as river ambulances in the interim for far-flung riverine communities. Two have been given to the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), one to the West Demerara-Essequibo Islands (Region Three), while the other two will be designated to other areas.

Region Seven Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward, said the two boats would serve the Middle and Upper-Mazaruni river areas. To date, river ambulances have been handed over to Region One (specifically the Moruca sub-region), Santa Mission in Region Three, Baracara in the Canje Creek and Orealla in the Corentyne River, both in Region Six, and Bartica. (DPI)

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