By SINL Reporter
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend inaugurated two new Mercedes-Benz ambulances to fortify the state’s efforts at fighting COVID-19 pandemic.
The ambulances came with full intensive care unit (ICU) equipment like ventilators, defibrillators, suction machines, patient monitors, oxygen concentrators, among others, which health officials say are key to manage high-risk patients.
“This is another effort at fortifying our health system. These are ICU (intensive care unit) ambulances to transport patients in any medical condition. Until we came here, Kwara did not have ambulances with the necessary equipment to resuscitate, manage, and sustain patients on the go,” AbdulRazaq said.
“Now that we have these equipment, I am very confident that the Ministry of Health will maintain these equipment and use them properly. We will continue to support the ministry and make sure they deliver. I want to say that we had earlier bought military grade ICU ambulances.
“We don’t just buy ambulances. We buy ICU ambulances which can sustain lives.”
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye made this known in a statement on Sunday.
The Governor said the ambulances will be distributed across the state once the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
“We’ll sustain and stabilise what we’re doing and make sure that we move to the next phase of our hospital rehabilitation. Right now, we are in the phase of rehabilitating primary health care centres. They are going on very well,” he added.
“I want to commend the staff of the ministry of health, led by the commissioner, for doing great jobs in the fight against COVID-19 management. Your work is beyond just the call of duty. We thank you very much.”
Commissioner for Health Dr Raji Razaq, for his part, commended the Governor for rewriting the story of the health sector in Kwara State with A-list equipment and support for health workers.
“We are highly delighted that another feather has been added to the cap of the Kwara State Ministry of Health. In line with the vision of His Excellency to strengthen the health sector of the Kwara State, the procurement of these ambulances is another promised delivered,” Razaq said.
“These are brand new two Mercedes-Benz ICU ambulances fully kitted with all the resuscitative gadgets — ventilators, defibrillators, monitors of different kinds, oxygen, stretchers, suction machine, and other gadgets to resuscitate accident victims and other patients.”
