Falck launches pre-hospital care service

By Lalin Fernandopulle

Falck, a Danish health-care company launched its services at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute on Thursday.

The company aims at reducing the preventable death and disability rate in Sri Lanka.

A Falck ambulance

Founded in 1906, Falck is an international pre-hospital care with operations in over 35 countries. Falck treats and transports over two million patients in five continents each year. It is also one of the largest fire-fighting companies in the world and a leader of disaster preparedness training.

Falck Sri Lanka Director Channa de Silva said that Falck sees enormous scope for growth in pre-hospital care services in Sri Lanka. Its entry into Sri Lanka will boost pre-hospital care in the country.

It is estimated that around six people die due to road accidents and heart disease daily in Sri Lanka and hundreds of people are left disabled every year due to a lack of medical emergencies.

A study in 2010 revealed that around 96 percent of patients admitted to accident and emergency units did not receive treatment before being admitted to hospital and many of them were brought in late.

It has been also revealed that patients are being transported to hospital by untrained and unprepared people who unintentionally aggravate the condition of the patient.

The absence of initial life support often results in preventable secondary injuries. A patient's recovery is determined by the care provided during the first hour of an emergency.

Falck Sri Lanka, Managing Director Donnie Woodyard said that Falck will provide a first class service with its state-of-the-art fleet of emergency ambulances and response motorcycles designed and equipped according to strict European Union standards.

"Every ambulance has the latest emergency cardiac, trauma, maternity and paediatric life support equipment. Linked directly to the 24-hour, three-language emergency communication centre, Falck uses computer-dispatching and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology to ensure quick response.

Falck will operate six ambulances and nine response motorcycles. Each ambulance will undertake eight to 10 responses a day. The company will expand its services with the increase in demand.

"Falck's trained doctors and paramedics will help stabilise the condition of the patient and stop the emergency before transporting the patient to hospital. Falck hopes to build strong partnerships across many sectors related to healthcare, rescue and disaster response in Sri Lanka," Woodyard said.