Julian Newton and Andrew Pipien of Hawthorn Ambulance Station, Pontypridd have travelled to Mbale on behalf of PONT to research the feasibility of establishing a much needed Emergency Ambulance System for the Mbale region. At present there is no Ambulance service for the general public.
The pair's meetings in Mbale have included Local Government leaders and ministers, the Health Minister, Chief of Police, Directors of Health, and many health professionals. The plan developed during this period includes:
- Community health workers to take a first responder role.
- Community health workers trained to recognise serious conditions and to refer to an Ambulance when appropriate.
- Mobile phones to be given to these workers, locked to emergency number only. They alone will be able to call an ambulance.
- We have located and acquired the use of two Ambulances for Mbale Town area.
- Ambulance aid training for volunteer ambulance personnel.
- Local police to receive the same training to use in emergency situations.
An Ambulance was discovered in a government workshop and is available for use. It appears in bad condition, but is actually in very good condition and has very low mileage (approx 40,000 miles). It requires minor repairs and a very good clean! The partnership link aims to raise approximately £10,000 to purchase 1 or preferably 2 more Ambulances to serve the wider area of Mbale.
With the assistance of the Training Department of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust we are currently putting together a suitable training package that will meet the specific needs of Mbale.
