Parliament Approves UGX 67 Bn for Ambulance Service System

Ambulances donated to Ministry of Health
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Ambulances donated to Ministry of Health
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In short
Parliament has approved 67 billion shillings for the establishment of the National Ambulance service system mandated to offer pre-hospital and emergency services in Uganda.

Parliament has approved 67 billion shillings for the establishment of the National Ambulance service system. The system is mandated to offer pre-hospital and emergency services in Uganda.

In November 2015, Government launched the first 10 ambulances, part of a fleet of 38 ambulances under the Uganda National Ambulance Service. However the system stalled over lack of funds.

However on Friday, parliament approved the budget committee’s report on the National budget for financial 2018/2019 at 32 trillion shillings.

In the report, presented by committee chairperson, Amos Lugolobi, the Committee noted that Injury and medical emergencies are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Uganda.

“Currently, pre-hospital care is given on an ad hoc basis by fragmented providers namely; the Police and community by-standers near crash scenes in case of road traffic crashes.” the report states.

The committee report notes that however, whereas this type of service is very critical in health service delivery, no funding for this activity was provided in the budget hence the committee recommending the 67bn shillings.

Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary Ministry of health, says they plan to have a comprehensive ambulance system. She says as it stands now, the ambulance services that existed earlier have not yet been phased out.

The Government is reportedly working out a way to have the regional referrals and private facilities improve their ambulances system.

Currently, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is managing the ambulance services in Kampala after Ministry of health handed them 7 of the 10 ambulances.