BARELY a month since the ceremonial turn-over of its keys, six brand new Hyundai Grand Starex ambulances from a non-government organization arrived in Iloilo.
Last year, December 12, Medipeace, a non-government organization from South Korea, turnover the keys of these ambulances to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.
The ambulances were in addition to the three the group provided the province in November 2015.
The Hospital Management Office of the Provincial Government is currently processing the insurance and registration of these vehicles in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Iloilo City, provincial administrator Raul Banias said.
As soon as the registration is complete, Defensor Sr. will formally turnover the ambulances to its recipients, he added.
The vehicles cost P1.5 million each.
It will provide the rural health unit of Miagao and Concepcion the capacity to respond to any medical emergencies, especially during calamities.
It will also strengthen the referral system of Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan, Ramon Duremdes District Hospital in Dumangas, Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal, and Sara District Hospital in Sara.
“We are waiting for some documents from the Bureau of Customs in Metro Manila before we can proceed to the registration of these vehicles in LTO,” Hospital Management Office Validation Inspector II Anne Marie Doromal said.
Doromal added once these are turned over, the recipients have to secure a permit to operate from the Department of Health (DOH) before they can utilize the ambulances.
“These ambulances have all the features required by DOH so it will definitely pass their standard. Each ambulance can also accommodate six people including the driver, patient, and nursing attendants,” she said. (SunStar Philippines)