By Prince J Musa in Kenema.
A Civil Society activist in Kenema working on human rights issues, Prince Mansaray has accused the leadership of the National Emergency Ambulance Services (NEAMS) of undermining government health care service in Kenema district and the country as a whole.
According to him, all ambulances assigned to various locations in the district to ease transportation of sick people especially lactating mothers, pregnant women and children under five to the referral hospital have become stationary over six months without performing their services.
He said they have approached the management at Kenema Government Hospital, the management of the ambulances and the District Health Management Team (DHMT) on the issue, all of whom shifted the blame to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
Mansaray stated that the recent pilot child survival programme launched in Kenema district is at risk should the ministry of health ignore the emergency ambulance service issue in the district.
He said based on their investigations in the hospital, they were told that the major challenge in running the ambulances is the lack of proper maintenance with some of the vehicles having worn out tyres and brakes.
He added that as the rainy season approaches, disease outbreaks occur in remote communities which most times contribute to the poor health status of children.
In an interview with the Corporate Affairs Director of NEAMS, Edi Williams, she said the management has consented to do general maintenance of all their ambulances across the country.
She said that they have dispatched a team to go to all the districts to repair all the ambulances including those with minor issues. She added that their fuel supply across the country has not been frequently available as expected, saying those in charge of fuel supply may also have their own challenges which sometimes lead to fuel scarcity for the ambulances.
The NEAMS Corporate Affairs Director refuted the allegation that some ambulances have not been running for two months because of lack of fuel, saying those that have stayed off the road that long have major maintenance problems which require serious attention.
She reiterated that considering the duration of those vehicles and the bad terrain in the Kenema district, the vehicles are bound to face some challenges. She assured the people of Kenema district that NEAMS ambulance service is reliable and that people should trust the system to help fight maternal and infant mortality rates in the district and the country as a whole.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (27/05/24)
