KAMPALA: In collaboration with Malteser International, the Kasese district has received ambulance equipment from the Association of Ambulance Professionals Uganda (AAPU) in preparation for emergencies during this rainy season.
The items include stretchers, diagnostic kits, bags, and oxygen cylinders, among others.
Tom Bazanye Kyobe, the AAPU President, says that they hope the equipment will go a long way towards reducing the transport cost of ambulance services.
He notes that the association is aware that many people who need ambulance services, especially during disasters, are poor and unable to meet the cost.
Kyobe asked the district to monitor and ensure the equipment is handled well to benefit the last person in the community to improve emergency medical services.
Joseph Ssenkumba, the training lead member of the association, says that during their operations in Kasese, they also realized that many health workers had not received any training in emergency medical services (EMS).
According to him, the association is also focused on increasing the capacity of health workers in order to reduce the loss of life.
Kasese District Health Officer-DHO, Yusuf Baseke, says that the donation is timely as the district continues to receive massive rains. He says the health department has been overstretched by health demands since the 2020 floods.
AAPU is an umbrella body that brings together all pre-hospital emergency medical services providers in Uganda. They operate to represent and serve through advocacy, education programs, coordination of emergency responses in times of disaster, and research.