RESIDENTS of communities across the Middle Mazaruni District in Region Seven are expected to benefit from improved healthcare access and faster emergency medical response with the addition of a new water ambulance provided by the Ministry of Health.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Josh Khanai, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday that the vessel will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery.

This will enable health workers to conduct more frequent visits to remote communities and improve patient transportation services.

Before the acquisition of the water ambulance, the region relied heavily on private boat operators and community boat captains to transport patients during emergencies.

According to the REO, emergency protocols required boat captains to be placed on standby and contacted whenever urgent medical transportation was needed.

“In a month, we normally facilitate about 20 to 25 patient transfers and approximately 50 visits to patients for various healthcare services, including chronic disease clinics. With our own ambulance, we expect to almost double the number of visits to residents in remote communities,” he noted.

The water ambulance is also expected to generate significant cost savings for the regional administration by reducing the need to hire private transportation services.

The REO explained that funds previously spent on boat contracts can now be redirected to maintaining the ambulance and supporting its operations, including fuel and staffing costs.

The vessel is also expected to have a positive impact on maternal and child healthcare services.

Beyond the new ambulance, Region Seven has continued to receive support to strengthen healthcare delivery.

REO Khanai said that the health facilities across the region remain well supplied with medications, with approximately 95 per cent of health posts and health centres adequately stocked. [DPI]