Luxury ambulances distributed to hospitals countrywide

The ambulances lined up outside Town Hall. Health Minister Dr. Rajith Senaratne sits inside one of the new ambulances during the 

presentation ceremony

-Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

• Fleet comprises Benz and Ford model ambulances worth Rs. 2.8 b
• 116 distributed to Provincial Council-managed hospitals 
• Loan from Austrian Govt. acquired to purchase Benz models, 25% of loan made up of grant 
• Minister says Benz ambulances provided better value for money than Toyota

By Ruwandi Gamage

A total of 152 luxury ambulances worth Rs. 2,850 million were distributed to hospitals island-wide by Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), yesterday.

The ambulances were luxury models such as Ford and Benz, out of which 132 were Ford models and the remaining 20 were Benz models, all equipped with mobile machinery, emergency equipment and GPS tracking devices with more comfort and space for patients. 

The ambulances were distributed to 116 Provincial Council-managed hospitals, 34 Central Government-managed hospitals and two to Ayurvedic Department hospitals by the Minister. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dr. Senaratne stated that the distribution of Friday was the first phase of an effort by the Ministry to distribute at least one ambulance to every State hospital in the country by 2020.

“The need for ambulances has been a pressing one for the betterment of our health system, hence this is the first step towards closing that gap. Our Ministry is also hoping to train ambulance drivers to act and make decisions in emergency situations and to aid paramedics if needed,” the Minister said.

The Ford model ambulance priced at Rs. 9.2 million were purchased using local funds, whereas the Benz model ambulances priced at Rs. 10.1 million were procured from an aid loan given by the Austrian Government with 0% interest. 

“A quarter of the 0% interest aid loan given by the Austrian Government is a grant, thus only 75% needs to be paid back. The aid loan was provided to purchase 200 Benz model ambulances, out of which 20 were distributed today,” Dr. Senaratne said.

Dr. Senaratne explained that when tenders were called to purchase ambulances, Micro and Toyota had also sent in tenders. However, Micro’s ambulances had not been selected due to the lack of standard specifications in the mobile machinery and equipment. 

The Toyota model ambulance had been Rs. 900,000 more expensive than a Benz model ambulance and Dr. Senaratne said that too was a van refurbished as an ambulance. Thus, the Ministry had decided that the Ford and Benz models would be the best fit.

The ambulances were ceremoniously handed over to the Minister by Future Automobiles Ltd. Group Director Hemantha Gunewardena and Future Automobiles Ltd. Director Sales Automobile Gihan Witharana. The Minister then distributed the ambulances to the hospitals with the help of Ministry officials. 

State Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Faizal Cassim, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Secretary S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha and other Ministry officials were present at the event.