The Narok County Government has re-introduced the ambulance services after they were withdrawn seven months ago.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu attributed the stalled operations to management issues and a pending bill of sh79 million, which the county government has already cleared.
According to the governor, a new structure has been put in place to govern the management of the ambulance services to avoid loss of public funds.
“We had a small hitch in the way we were managing the ambulance services. When the contract expired, I had to stop the services to avoid wastage of public funds,” he said.
The ambulances are hired from the Red- Cross society but will be managed by the county government to provide better services to the people.
However, this time round, the number of ambulances has been reduced from eleven to six, owing to the fact that the county government has increased health facilities and services around the county.
He reiterated that 76 new health facilities had been built and equipped across the county in the last two years, in a bid to improve health services in the grassroots.
“Our focus is to improve all level four hospitals so as to bring services close to people. This will reduce the distance that our people have to move to access health care,” he said.
Ntutu confessed having received numerous phone calls from the members of the public requesting the resumption of the ambulance services.
“I know the people have suffered without ambulance services for the last seven months, but I am glad that we have now put a structure in place to govern their operations so that we cannot waste public funds,” said the first-time governor.
Narok County Government Executive Member in charge of Health and Medical Services Antony Namunguk said the ambulance will be stationed in six sub counties where they will be managed by the sub county medical superintendent.
“The ambulances will be stationed in our hospitals at Lolgorian, Kilgoris, Emurrua Dikirr, Ololulunga, Nairegie Enkare and another at the Narok County Referral hospital,” he said.
He added that the only person authorized to dispatch the ambulance at any given time is the medical superintendent.
In January 2025, the county government will employ 211 health personnel to meet the growing demand for quality services, he continued.
By Ann Salaton
