‘SuwaSariya’ ambulance service launchs in Colombo District

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Taking another step in the India-assisted ‘SuwaSariya’ 1990 emergency ambulance service, the Government yesterday launched a new batch of medical technical officers and ambulances which will be used for the emergency health requirements of the citizens of Colombo. 

The emergency ambulance service was launched last July for the first time in Sri Lanka to serve the Western and Southern Provinces, with services now available in Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara and Gampaha.

Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva, a proponent of the entire program said that under this new step 21 ambulances and 105 medical technical officers have been deployed to increase the efficiency of the service. He added that 80 out of the 105 employees are being deployed for on-call emergency services.

“We are trying to provide an immediate service for people who report an emergency via the 1990 hotline. At most it will take responders 13 minutes to reach the location of the emergency,” he said.

The 21 ambulances are located in 21 Police stations including Maradana, Kotahena, Wellampitiya, Bambalapitiya, Avissawella, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Homagama, Mirihana, Maharagama, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Mulleriyawa and Elvitigala Mawatha.   

Dr. De Silva said that since launch, the emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka has taken 1190 people to hospital.

“20% of the patients we took to hospital were brutal vehicle accidents victims,” he said.

The minister also said that the Police Department is being given addition support by the Government to handle this emergency service since Colombo District is a busy zone.

Attending to the launching ceremony, Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara noted that four Deputy Inspector General’s (DIG) had been deployed to Colombo District to assist the SuwaSariya ambulance service and its officers.

“All medical officers and ambulance drivers can request the assistance of the Police at any point and can contact a DIG to inform them of an emergency circumstance. 

Jayasundara added that discussions are being held to link the 119 and 1990 hotline to provide faster service for patients. 

The 1990 call centre has facilities to identify the distance of the victim from the nearest ambulance. A doctor at the call centre will decide if the need for an ambulance is critical or can be delayed.

If for any reason the ambulance is unable to reach the victim on time, one of the victim’s family members will be informed.

Pic by Krishan Ranasinghe