Life-saving tools a must in ambulances

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government will purchase life-saving equipment to be installed in all city-owned ambulances, as the Department of Health (DOH) will not allow these vehicles to operate starting next year if they are non-compliant to the new regulations.

Yesterday, Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak received a DOH circular asking all ambulance service provider, institution-based, City-owned and hospital-owned ambulances to comply with all the requirements until December 31, 2017, else they will be suspended for good.

"We have to comply kay lisod kon ma-suspend tanang operation sa kadaghanang ambulances sa city. Mag-inventory pod ta sa tanang ambulances nga walay equipment gyod mao na atong palitan nga i-charge against sa 2015 and 2016 nga disaster fund," Tumulak told reporters.

He said does not have the exact number of ambulances that will be impacted with the new DOH guidelines.

Tumulak added the city should comply with the requirements set forth by the DOH for the safety of the patients because some of the city’s ambulances are only used to transport patients to hospitals.

DOH is requiring all ambulances and institution-based ambulances to hire those trained personnel for the operation of ambulance and the required equipment, medicines, and supplies.

"I'm afraid nga in the coming days naay mga dili kadagan nga ambulances because of this. Atong i-remind ang public nga walay mabuhat ang city kay policy ni sa DOH. Ang ato is we have to comply para dili dakog impact sa paghatag og serbisyo," he said.

Tumulak urged barangays that have their own ambulances to comply with the needed requirements.

"Kasagarang dili kadagan kining private companies nga naay kaugalingon nga ambulances, naay barangay ambulances, there are also some non-government organizations nga naay ambulances. So, they are not allowed anymore to operate. They need to secure license, permits, and other requirements," he said.

Tumulak said the city government's problem is those ambulances in the mountain barangays since they are only used for transport. He, however, said the city will support these barangays.

As to the requirement of the trained personnel, Tumulak said it should not pose a problem to the city since majority of the personnel have been trained already. (FREEMAN)