Uganda’s Health Ministry is boosting the safety on the country’s water bodies with the addition of type C ambulances boats.
The three ambulances we have learnt are being cleared at the Mombasa Port in neighboring Kenya and could be in the country next week.
News of the water ambulances will come as a relief to Ugandans.
What are Ambulance Boats?
They are boats that provide emergency medical assistance and services to areas that are remote and are surrounded by a water body. These ambulance boats are very similar to the traditional ambulances and are equipped with all the necessary gadgets including ventilators, surgery equipment, a team of paramedics, and other necessary equipment to provide aid to the victims. In cases of emergencies, some lifeguard vessels or lifeboats can also be used as ambulances to transport victims or casualties.
A Type III / Type 3 ambulance is mounted on a cutaway van chassis. The cab is an integral part of the ambulance unit. The connection between the cab and patient module can vary in appearance, but generally looks more like a doorway than a window.
The news of the ambulances comes on the heels of a boat accident on Lake Albert on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that left at least 26 people dead.
A “strong wind” caused the vessel to go under water, a local official told AFP news agency.
Dozens of people were on board and at least 21 people were rescued, Ashraf Oromo said.
A marine officer said poor safety and fast-changing weather meant accidents were common on the lake.
Sources say the boat was overloaded carrying passengers beyond it’s capacity.
The addition of the water life savers will go a long way in assuring travellers.
