In an attempt to improve transportation services, the Ministry for Health and Medical Services has indicated plans to ensure that their ambulances are four wheel drive.

A team led by the assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Alex O’Connor is in the North visiting all of its health facilities.

Mr O’Connor, who visited some of the outlying health facilities like Naqumu, Visoqo, Bua and Vunivutu Nursing stations from Monday, said apart from communication, transportation to these rural areas was an issue they needed to address.

“We first went to Nabouwalu Hospital, Bua Nursing station, Lekutu Nursing Station and on to Naqumu Nursing Station,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Naqumu is quite a distance to travel when you’re considering moving patients particularly in an emergency and the terrain, the road, is not the best.

“Yes, I have been tasked by the minister to address the transport system and in particular the ambulances,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We do have some ambulances that are just being boxed with bed and that is it,” he said.

“But we are addressing ambulances in particular and ensuring especially for areas here in the North that these are four-wheel drive ambulances.”

Mr O’Connor said they planned to conclude their visits to all of their facilities in the country before the Easter Weekend.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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