In response to an increased emphasis on quality and effectiveness of healthcare,Kisumu governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’ today handed over 4 ambulances to boost prehospital care and ambulatory services in the county.
The move shows that health services in Kisumu can be accessed even outside the traditional hospital. The ambulances will be essential to health service delivery being that they assist in stabilizing patients until they are transported to a health facility.
The 4 ambulances are additional to the 17 other fleet that was previously distributed to the 7 sub counties and are set to be distributed to Nyang’ande, Muhoroni Maywanda in Seme and to Kisumu East.
The ambulances are fully equipped with ECG monitor that helps keep track of the vital signs of the patient transported, spinal board that assist in lifting patients during transportation, suction unit for relieving vital organs on an internally bleeding patient, oxygen supply units that helps patients with breathing difficulties, a sphygmo for measuring blood pressure and bandages.
While flagging off the ambulances, Governor Nyong’o said that the service is going to be very key in creating a seamless connection in the referral system.
“This is part of our journey to strengthen the ambulatory services as I had promised earlier” said the governor.
Kisumu County today boasts of having a total of 21 ambulances compared to the number of vehicles across the neighboring counties. The new ambulances are coming in the face of COVID-19 pandemic to boost referral preparedness in the county. This brings to 10 ICU Enabled ambulances that have so far been acquired by the county health sector towards the evolving role of hospital based emergency care.
The ambulance can be accessed through a toll free number 0800 720 575.
By Matilda Atieno
Governor Nyong’o handing over for more ambulances ( Picture by Jacob Owiti)
