The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday handed over a $17 million river ambulance to Region 10 and five passenger boats valued at $2.6 million for several riverine communities.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the vessels were handed over to the respective Regional Health Officers (RHOs) in the compound of the Ministry’s Central Supplies Unit located in Kingston, Georgetown.
The river ambulance was supplied by Meditron Inc – a medical supplies company – and cost some $17 million while the five boats totalled $2.6 million.
RHO for Region Ten, 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. She stated that the new vessel “will be used in the Demerara River for healthcare delivery as well as to transport medical emergencies to the hospital.”
Dr Armstrong further explained that it would be stationed in the Malali area which is the furthest point on the Demerara River and will help make health care more accessible for the residents.
Meanwhile, Technical Advisor 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 7; one to the West Demerara-Essequibo Islands, Region 3; while the other two will be designated to other areas.
Region Seven’s Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward, however informed that the two boats would serve the Middle and Upper Mazaruni river areas.
To date, river ambulances have been handed over to Region 1 (specifically the Moruca sub-region), Santa Mission in Region 3, Baracara in the Canje Creek, and Orealla in the Corentyne River, both in Region 6, and Bartica, the release added.
