Asagba of Asaba Takes Delivery of First Community Free Ambulance
The first in the series of vehicles being expected for the Asaba Community Free Ambulance Service has arrived.
Taking delivery of the ambulance on Thursday in his palace, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge; SAN, OON, said it was part of a broader initiative to take care of the health needs of the people.
He reiterated that the ambulances, more of which would soon arrive, would render free services to residents of Asaba during emergency situations, revealing that dedicated phone lines would be provided to enable people contact the operators, who would take patients to any hospital of their choice.
His Majesty pointed out plans for the launch of Asaba Health Insurance Scheme being promoted by an illustrious son of the soil, adding that a specialised community hospital was being proposed to augment the existing health facilities and Primary Health Centres, in complementing the efforts of government in healthcare delivery, even as he also spoke about the Drug Rehabilitation Centre established by the community.
The Asagba recalled that the community had intervened in some of the challenges of the Primary Health Centres, especially the shortage of medical and health personnel, by engaging the services of Corps doctors, pharmacists, amongst others, while two dialysis machines valued at about ₦200 million were donated to the Federal Medical Centre and the Asaba Specialist Hospital
Nna Agu said he had always believed that the community should be able to do certain things on its own without having to wait for government, and thanked sons and daughters of Asaba for thinking along the same line, and making sacrifices in support of community development and the overall well-being of the people.
He expressed optimism that the ambulances would serve the intended purpose, and prayed that they help to save the lives of patient who would have cause to use them in emergency situations.