The Department of Health (DOH) turned over 16 ambulances to the city government here on Thursday.

In a message delivered via Zoom, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte thanked the DOH and underscored the new ambulances’ importance in delivering medical assistance to more Dabawenyos.

“The present health emergency has highlighted the need for governments to provide the public with better access to health care services, and given the expansive land area of Davao City – with 182 barangays, these emergency vehicles will definitely enable our barangay officials and the personnel from the district health offices to reach more individuals in need of emergency medical services,” Mayor Sara said.

Duterte said the additional ambulances meant that the city could provide better healthcare assistance to more Dabawenyos.

“And with this enhancement in health service delivery, we can contribute to the Philippine health agenda of attaining better health outcomes for all Filipinos,” she added.

Meanwhile, city health officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the new units, which cost PHP2.3 million each, will be deployed to the city government’s health centers and clustered barangays in the second and third districts for emergency use and transport of patients.

“This is going to be a great help to the people of the barangay since they don’t have to wait for an ambulance to go up to the periphery. They can bring their patients and refer to our hospitals or the nearest facility because they already have an active disaster response team,” Villafuerte added.

DOH Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr., who led the vehicles’ handover, said the DOH also donated 33 ambulances to various cities and municipalities in Davao Region to give residents better access to health care services. (PNA)