The Ministry of Health has presented an Advanced Life Support Ambulance (ALSA) to the people of the Oti Region.
This ALSA, which has more enhanced facilities than the existing ambulances in the system, will serve as backup support to ensure that patients receive the needed care before they arrive at their referral facility.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Dambai last Wednesday, a paramedic on the ALSA, Principal Advance Emergency Medical Technologist, Joshua Amarh Doku, said the existing ambulances are often the first line of response and the ALSA comes into play when more advanced care is required.
The Advanced Life Support Ambulance
Mr Doku said while both provided lifesaving techniques during an emergency, they have key differences including the level of care, the training of the paramedic unit required, the equipment used and the treatment setting.
He said the presentation followed the observation that cases such as the management of cardiac arrest and life support paramedic unit are needed for extra care on the way to a referral hospital.
He said the ALSA would be on the call of the existing ambulances that needed any support while on the way to a referral hospital.
The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health for the vehicle, which he said will go a long way to ensure that the people are well looked after.
Mr Machator noted that due to the nature of roads, the existing ambulances took a long time to reach the referral hospital. As such, he said ALSA would extend them the needed basic life support to preserve the lives of patients such as the support for circulation and adequate ventilation on their way to seeking the needed care.