President Chan Santokhi and Minister Amar Ramadhin of Health inspect an ambulance. They receive explanations from a staff member. (Photos: René Gompers)
On Thursday, President Chan Santokhi presented 10 ambulances to various healthcare institutions. The recipients include the Regional Health Service, the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP), Mungra Medical Center, Regional Hospital Wanica, and Regional Hospital Marwina. The procurement of these “treatment rooms on wheels” has cost US$ 1 million. Over the last two years, the government has acquired 19 ambulances, with another 16 on their way from China. Additionally, work is ongoing regarding the legislation and “cost-covering rates” for ambulance rides. Claudia Redan, General Director of the AZP, expressed her satisfaction with this new acquisition. However, she points out to Minister Amar Ramadhin that further actions are necessary. “We would like to discuss cost-covering rates for a ride,” Redan mentions. “It cannot continue like this. Especially the services coming from distant districts face significant difficulties transporting patients to Paramaribo.” Redan emphasizes, “An ambulance is no longer just regular transport but a treatment room on wheels.” Both the nurses and the ambulance driver have undergone certified training. Moreover, there are expensive equipment, medications, and other resources in the ambulance designed to facilitate the delivery of life-saving treatments.
Minister Ramadhin notes that two years prior, the first 9 ambulances were purchased to enhance ambulance services. Together with President Santokhi, he handed over the second batch on the premises of the Radio Therapeutic Center Suriname of the AZP. Three ambulances are designated for the AZP, two for the MMC, one for Wanica, one for Marwina, and three for the RGD intended for services in Wanica, Para, and Commewijne. The acquisition’s total cost of US$ 1 million was funded by the IDB, Ramadhin states. He announces that additional ambulances are on their way from China, donated by the People’s Republic: “If all goes well, they should be shipped this month. All discussions have taken place. Technical specifications have also been reviewed. We expect that 16 more ambulances will be added to our fleet in the first half of this year.”
