Samburu Referral Hospital EnhancesEmergency Services Through Motorcycle Ambulances
This includes the current distribution of medical supplies estimated to be valued at Sh50 million to all the public health facilities across the county.
The motorcycle ambulances are expected to support emergency referrals, maternal and child health services, and rapid response during medical emergencies, particularly in areas where access to health facilities has traditionally been limited. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The emergency health care in Samburu is now better placed thanks to the donation of motorcycle ambulances to the Samburu Teaching and Referral Hospital. Five motorcycles were donated to the hospital by EEZER Company, which will enhance emergency care, medical reach, and referral in the different areas of Samburu, including the far and inaccessible areas.
Receiving the motorcycle ambulances, the Samburu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Medical Services and Public Health, Dr. Nasir Lekudere, said that the donations were not only timely but transformative. Dr. Lekudere said that the ambulances would enhance the rapid response to medical emergencies in the counties, thereby providing medical services to villages that have struggled to have medical facilities because of the distance and infrastructure.
Dr. Lekudere observed that the large geographical size of Samburu County, coupled with its terrain, has continued to present a serious challenge to the effective deployment of conventional ambulances. The roads that link many of its areas are rough, thus inaccessible during the rainy season. This has often led to delayed responses to attend to those in need of care.
He was optimistic that the motorcycle ambulances will provide a sustainable means that will supplement the existing ways of responding to the challenges posed by the lack of adequate transportation. The motorcycles will enable health providers to access their patients quickly and refer them to the higher facilities. The motorcycles will operate even on rough terrain.
“The deployment of motorcycle ambulances is a major advantage for Samburu County, which has struggled with access by conventional ambulances that could not reach some areas that lack adequate road networks,” Dr. Lekudere said. “The motorcycles are made to operate in difficult terrain and are capable of getting our health teams to patients in time.”
As reported in the CECM, it has been noted that the ambulances will be distributed in several health facilities in the county. The main target areas shall be Samburu East and Samburu North sub-counties. The distribution approach has been geared toward improving referrals in health and ensuring health services at the community level reach even the farthest clusters.
Dr. Lekudere pointed out that the contribution fits into the efforts being carried out by the county government to enhance the healthcare system. This includes the current distribution of medical supplies estimated to be valued at Sh50 million to all the public health facilities across the county.
Moreover, he recognized the importance of partnership initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by the healthcare sector. In his thanksgiving message, he expressed appreciation to the EEZER Company for contributing to the healthcare sector of the county. The motorcycle ambulances are also projected to contribute immensely to emergency referrals, maternal, and child health, as well as reacting to emergencies. The current distant location of some residents to health facilities makes it difficult to access health facilities. The new ambulances will, however, make a big difference.
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