Kiambu acquires 15 ambulances to boost healthcare services

Kiambu government has acquired 15 Advanced Life Support ambulances as it seeks to improve healthcare.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi said they will dispatch the ambulances to all the 12 subcounties.

He said the ambulances will revolutionise emergency medical response, improve waste management and ensure delivery of essential medical services and pharmaceuticals.

“With the newly acquired ambulances, we will reduce emergency response times to under 25 minutes. This aligns with my commitment to provide accessible and efficient healthcare to all the people of Kiambu,” Wamatangi said.

The ambulances had been grounded for years but are now fully equipped to boost emergency transport following their rehabilitation.

The county previously leased ambulances to provide the crucial services.

“We had about four vehicles that were in good working conditions and the need was overwhelming. We have acquired more for efficient and effective service delivery,” Wamatangi said.

The ambulances will be stationed at level 5, level 4 and some of level 3 hospitals.

“Additionally, to support the medical team, we have acquired medical waste trucks, mobile clinics and a drug distribution truck,” the governor said.

Wamatangi spoke during the unveiling of the ambulances on Friday.

He was accompanied by health executive Elias Maina and a number of MCAs.

Maina said the ambulances are fitted with requisite equipment to facilitate healthcare provision and emergency medical response.

Wamatangi  said his administration has completed establishment of a drug store in Ruiru that will be used to store county's supply orders for pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals.

It will also help the county to refill pharmaceuticals to all facilities on time by eradicating delays caused by procurement bottlenecks.

“The facility will be automated and a health system management put in place to monitor medical supplies availability in all county health facilities. This will ensure uninterrupted supply of drugs and other medical supplies in all our health facilities,” the county chief said.

He said his administration is also implementing a multimillion programme known as "Wamatangi Care", to improve access to quality healthcare services.

About 300,000 people have already been enrolled in the Universal Health Care Programme.

UHC covers chronic diseases and provides funeral costs in case of death of a beneficiary, with a second mass registration drive expected to start in two months with a target of 500,000 people.