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Cabinet has endorsed that a comprehensive scoping and feasibility study be undertaken on the Emergency Ambulance Services (EAS) provided in Fiji. Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Health, Women and Social Welfare, Dr Jiko Luveni. Dr Luveni said that EAS deals with life-threatening situations. “If someone is seriously injured in an accident or suddenly collapses, the victim could have serious medical complications if he/she does not receive treatment urgently. “The speedy arrival of an emergency ambulance could mean the difference between life and death for a seriously injured or ill person. EAS should therefore be called during medical emergencies only.” Dr Luveni said that currently, there is no specific legislation covering the means by which ambulance services are organized, funded and provided. “The emergency ambulance services are free of charge for any emergency if the patient is referred by medical personnel from a health facility to another health facility or if a patient gets admitted to a hospital. Otherwise a token sum of $0.20 per kilometer is applicable.” Dr Jiko said that currently, most of the health facilities at divisional and sub-divisional level have ambulances to transport patients needing emergency attention. “The Ministry also provides yearly financial grants to St John Ambulance (SJA) for EAS and administrative purposes.” Dr Jiko said that in anticipation of assuming greater responsibility the Government needs to conduct a comprehensive scoping exercise and feasibility study on ambulances services in Fiji, and consider a replacement plan for old fleet of vehicles; reassess its annual grants to the SJA; strengthen ambulance paramedical services; develop a roll-out plan of the service for the whole country revise fees and charges for EAS with possible total outsourcing; and review EAS Resource allocation. She also said that a scoping study on an Air Ambulance Trust will also be carried out given that there is also no air ambulance operated by the Government. “Depending on circumstances, medical evacuation by air is utilized to uplift patients by special charter of a commercial aircraft as in a helicopter, airplane or a seaplane. “Government and commercial vessels are also utilized to evacuate patients from outer islands, but the Ministry of Health does not possess dedicated vessels for delivery of its services including patient evacuation in maritime subdivisions.” -End- No:1734 |
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