MED 1 to launch emergency care

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

MED 1, a pre-hospitalisation healthcare company will commence operations this year to provide professional and comprehensive emergency care services to the country.

The company will set up a communication centre on a one-acre land in Ratmalana to accommodate a large fleet of ambulances to offer a comprehensive emergency medical care service.

Managing Director/CEO, MED 1, Donnie Woodyard explains a point while Director MED 1, Channa de Silva looks on

Managing Director CEO, MED 1, Donnie Woodyard said the 15,000 sqft complex will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to provide complete solutions to emergency medical needs.

The company hopes to operate a fully fledged ambulance service and launch a series of hot-lines for emergency medical services.

Road accidents, accidents at work places, food poisoning and snake bites are common health problems that require emergency medical care services.

Woodyard said that the communication centre will connect the caller to its medical dispatchers who will use MED 1 protocol to assess the health problem. Based on the assessment the centre will dispatch an emergency medical crew to the location.

The medical dispatcher could trace the real-time location of the ambulance fleet through the computer via GPS satellite tracking.

Woodyard said that the company will dispatch 50 ambulances in Colombo and then increase the fleet to all key towns covering the entire country. The emergency medical service teams should be resourced with the specialised vehicles and equipment to carry out a professional task.

“MED 1 will initially focus on professional emergency care training which is essental to respond to complex situations. We have already commenced training of over 2,000 candidates under accredited professional trainers from USA” he said.

MED 1 with a sound business model hopes to provide jobs to around 2,000 people within the next five years.

Woodyard said that MED 1 will be the leading provider of ambulances and emergency healthcare services in Sri Lanka leveraging on experience, technology and highly trained professionals.

Road safety in Sri Lanka is a major issue and the number of deaths due to fatal accidents is on the rise.

Professional emergency services could help reduce the impact of accidents and save lives.

Sri Lanka’s health statistics are relatively good in comparison with other Asian countries with many health outcomes at or above regional average. However, as the country is moving towards rapid economic development it will need to re-evaluate healthcare services to ensure that it is in keeping with the growing demand for quality services.

Director MED 1 Channa De Silva said MED 1 is passionate about its commitment to serve people by saving their lives at the most crucial time.

“Social consciousness is the driving force of the company which strives to achieve a noble task by saving the lives of people”, he said.

De Silva said expertise, quick response, equipment and training are vital components for professional pre hospitalisation healthcare.