WHO donates six ambulances and medical equipment

World Health Organization (WHO) has donated six ambulances and essential medical equipment needed at the atolls to the Health Ministry.

At a special ceremony held at the STO Head Office today, the symbolic gesture of the donations were presented to the Health Minister, Iruthisham Adam by the WHO representative to the Maldives, Dr. Arvind Mathur.

The Health Ministry said that the six ambulances would be used in islands with large land and need immediate assistance in providing medical assistance.

The ambulances received have been given to Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital, Sh. Milandhoo Health Center, Hulhumalé Hospital, Dr. Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital, G.Dh. Faresmaathoda Health Center and Hithadhoo Regional Hospital, Addu City.

Ambulances have been symbolically presented to the hospitals today.

The medical equipment among the donation include emergency health kit, vaccine carrier, vaccine storage, colposcope and genesis blood collection monitor are set to be sent to hospitals and health centers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Health Minister Iruthisham said that the equipment given to the medical facilities today were donations received by the WHO upon the request from the government.

The Minister said that the donations by the WHO were made from the organization’s regional budget.

The Minister said that now there are 237 ambulances in service and there are only 28 islands without the service. And she said that the service would be made available in those islands within the year.

According to the Health Ministry, the ambulance service is lacking in the islands with small populations.

Dr. Mathur spoke at the ceremony saying that the donations today would not only save the lives of many, but reduce spending in the country’s health sector.

WHO also donated a TB Expert machine that could do the tests required to start the best treatment for TB as soon as possible.