Emergency health services in Lanao del Sur are expected to improve with the delivery and turnover of eight ambulances to seven towns and a hospital in the province, health officials said Saturday.

Minister Bashary Latiph of the Ministry of Health – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) said the ambulances would help address the Bangsamoro people’s lack of transport to hospitals and prevent the possible loss of lives in traumatic and critical incidences in the province.

“Those ambulances will not only serve as a medical aid for the people but also is a sign of assurance that the government and our medical staff will always be available to treat and prevent life-threatening incidences,” Latiph, a physician, said.

The recipient towns include Tubaran, Butig, Bumbaran, Taraka, Ditsaan-Ramain, and Poona Bayabao, and the Wao District Hospital.

He said each ambulance is equipped with emergency medical equipment, such as an oxygen cylinder, heavy-duty stethoscopes, folding stretcher, scoop stretcher, automatic external defibrillator, nebulizer, portable suction machine, examining light, and an aneroid sphygmomanometer.

Two mobile phones were also supplied for the ambulance’s driver and the town’s medical officer.

Last month, the MOH-BARMM turned over two ambulances to Sulu’s Provincial Hospital and one each for the towns of Panglima Estino, Luuk, Talipao, and Old Panamao, all in the island province.

Basilan province also received three ambulances for the health units of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Akbar, and Tuburan towns.

The MOH-BARMM also turned over two ambulances and one sea ambulance to the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Tawi-Tawi.

“By providing those ambulances, we have increased the efficiency of our health community system and improve health initiatives in the Bangsamoro,” Latiph said. (PNA)

Photo Credit: www.bangsamoro.gov.ph