Dr Mathew Sandi, who is the Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, has said in Freetown that government cannot, at this time, afford to run a free ambulance service in the country.
He noted that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has a very limited budget and patients whose cases are not of an emergency nature will have to offset fuel cost to enjoy the facilities.
Dr Sandi continued that the National Emergency and Medical Services is operating inter hospital transfer services for all patients.
The statement of the Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services is contrary to a declaration made by President Julius Maada Bio when presenting several ambulances during his Thank You Tours in various district across the country. He has told Sierra Leoneans that ambulances are free of charge and that citizens should report through a hot toll line. He added that the people will be taxed to pay for such services.
Dr Mathew Sandi was speaking to the SLBC’s Morning Coffee programme over the unavailability of dialysis machine at the Connaught Hospital. He disclosed that Government is in the process of procuring five (5) new dialysis machines and that this time round the suppliers, according to the contract agreement, will incur maintenance cost and training for users of the machines.
It will be recalled that the only dialysis machine at the Connaught hospital broke down very recently and people who needed such services have to secure the services of a private individual at Campbell Street in the west of Freetown for Le800, 000 per session.
This has been very challenging for people whose medical treatment would require several dialysis tests and many are calling on Government to speed up the procurement process so as to get the machines as quickly as possible in the country to solve the problem.