By James Innocent
Yei River County has received a new ambulance donated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a contribution expected to significantly improve emergency medical response, patient referrals, and Ebola preparedness across the county.
The ambulance was officially handed over during a ceremony attended by county authorities, health officials, community leaders, and MSF representatives.
In addition to donating the new vehicle, MSF also repaired one of the county’s previously broken-down ambulances, increasing the hospital’s emergency transport capacity.
Speaking during the handover, the commissioner of Yei River County described the donation as a historic milestone for the county’s healthcare system.
He expressed appreciation to MSF for its continued partnership and called on development and health partners to sustain their support for Yei Civil Hospital to improve healthcare services for residents.
”This ambulance will remain a remarkable contribution in the history of Yei River County. Continued collaboration with our partners is essential to addressing the challenges facing our health facilities,” the commissioner said.
Dr. Morbe Taban, Medical Director of Yei Civil Hospital, thanked MSF and the County Health Department for their close cooperation and commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration among partners is vital to strengthening medical services for the population.
The director of the Yei River County Health Department, Simon Musoga, also praised MSF for both donating the new ambulance and rehabilitating the county’s old ambulance, which had been out of service due to mechanical failure.
Musoga said the ambulances will play a crucial role in supporting emergency referrals, maternal health services, and the county’s Ebola preparedness program.
He noted that Yei River County has experienced significant transportation challenges, particularly when transferring critically ill patients and pregnant women from remote areas to health facilities.
Community members welcomed the development, describing it as a major boost to local healthcare services.
Laila Apai, one of the beneficiaries, said the ambulance would greatly improve access to emergency healthcare, especially for pregnant women and vulnerable patients living in rural communities.
She also commended the county leadership for maintaining strong cooperation with development partners to improve public services.
”The partnership between the county authorities and MSF demonstrates a shared commitment to improving the lives of the people of Yei,” she said.
Paramount Chief Joseph Brown also expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the ambulance would save lives by improving the transportation of patients during medical emergencies.
An MSF representative, Osman Kan, coordinator, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the people of Yei River County, saying the organisation is encouraged when its interventions have a positive impact on communities.
The representative added that MSF would continue working closely with local authorities and health partners to provide essential healthcare services in line with its humanitarian mandate.
The donation is expected to strengthen emergency medical response and improve access to healthcare for thousands of residents across Yei River County, particularly those living in hard-to-reach areas.