Kampala – Ministry of Health has condemned the misuse of ambulance by driver in Rukungiri district.
This, after a photo of an ambulance registration number UG 3797 that was carrying pineapples made rounds on social media on Thursday.
According to Emmanuel Ainebyona the Senior Public Relations Officer ministry of mealth, the ministry has taken keen interest in the matter, investigated it and established that the ambulance is managed by the Rukungiri district local government.
“Apparently the vehicle had taken a patient to Ntungamo and on return the driver loaded the pineapples as seen in the picture. Such behavior is the reason why the government has taken on the centralisation of the ambulance management into a National Ambulance Service.” He said
Ainebyona says the ministry have asked the district to take action on the driver as provided in the public service standing orders.
“The misuse of the ambulance goes against Permanent Secretary guidelines to Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) on proper use of ambulances. We assure the public and all stakeholders that measures are being taken to bring the culprits to book and also ensure that this abuse which is not isolated is stopped once and for all.” Added Ainebyona
He also noted that when the National Ambulance Service is fully functional with GPS tracking system and call and dispatch communication system, there will be no abuse as all the ambulance emergency care staff will be centrally controlled and easy to discipline.
“Further to this we shall use a medical command and control system where no ambulance takes a journey without authorisation by the Regional EMS coordinator.” Noted Ainebyona
The ministry thanked the vigilant public that captured this abuse and circulated it.
