Ambulances are not cab services - GMOA:

Useful to transport critical patients - Health Ministry Secretary

By Carol Aloysius

Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Anura Jayawickrama said the new free ambulance service initiated by the government with ambulances donated from India, where patients being transported from even Kalutara to Colombo had to spend a long time on the highway. Additional ambulances were useful to transport critically ill patients for treatment to Colombo.

When asked if the drivers and those manning these ambulances had been registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council or any other medical body, he said, " I'm not sure. In any case I don't see why that is necessary." Referring to the qualifications of the 100 trainees sent to India to undergo training to man the ambulances he said, "They have basic qualifications. I can't elaborate further". He added that the Health Ministry would be happy to discuss the matter of training and other matters with regard to the personnel selected to man the Indian ambulances with the GMOA and allied medical bodies. He said with regard to training more personnel for ambulances in the future, it could be discussed with the GMOA.

However, the GMOA has protested against the decision to seek Indian assistance to launch the new ambulance service in Sri Lanka.

"The whole process is wrong and is against the principles of governing our health sector. It will adversely affect health services across the country and even patients will be affected", GMOA President Dr Anuruddha Padeniya told the Sunday Observer.

He said, "Proper clinical, legal and procurement procedure had not been followed, prior to seeking help to set up this service with Indian aid," he said. " The decision was made on a Cabinet paper from the Prime Minister's office. It was never shown or discussed by any of the stakeholders," Dr Padeniya said.

"Medicine and equipment procedure normally followed was not respected.. Nor were the governance principle regarding medicinal and para medicinal procedures followed. This is thus a structural change. It will adversely impact the entire network of our hospitals and patient care", he charged. Commenting on the quality of medical services currently prevailing in India, he said "They were " below our standards." "Unlike a cab service, the ambulance service is not a drop and go service. Patients being transported in these vehicles must be ensured that they safely reach their destinations under trained care by para medics who have the necessary equipment for emergency care," he said, adding "We are not sure if the vehicles were tested for road worthiness before being brought here either"..

Asked if these ambulances did not fulfil an urgent need due to the shortage of ambulances here, he said, "We have hospitals within a 2-3 km radius and most of them have ambulances. All the personnel manning them are trained in emergency care. Except for a few hospitals in the remote areas, the country has enough ambulances."he said.

Director General Health Services Dr P.G,. Maheepala who was in Mannar and Director national Hospital, Sri Lanka Dr anil Jasinghe were unavailable for comment.