ST JUDE Hospital at Vieux Fort, has received a grant totaling US$81,162 from the Government of Japan to purchase a new ambulance.
The grant was presented by Japanese Ambassador Mr. Mitsuhiko Okada to St Jude Hospital Chairman – Dr. Ulric Mondesir during an official signing ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister in Castries.
The funds, obtained under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project, will be used to procure a state of the art Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Ambulance which will be equipped with a defibrillator, an electrocardiogram (ECG) , a test used to check a patient’s heart’s rhythm and electrical activity, a ventilator, infusion pump, and Syringe pump.
The availability of a new ambulance represents a critical component to the hospital’s health care service delivery, a hospital statement said.
As the main health care facility servicing the Hewanorra International Airport, the ambulance will help to ensure that St Jude Hospital can respond effectively in the unfortunate event of a mass casualty event.
It will also facilitate the proper transfer of ventilated patients as well as patients in need of emergency diagnostic procedures not available in the South.
St Jude Hospital currently has two ambulances that were received second hand from a friendly overseas donor several years ago. However, those vehicles are no longer roadworthy and can only be driven on the hospital compound.
“Whenever these vehicles are not in service it severely compromises the hospital’s ability to transport patients which is why St Jude Hospital is so grateful for this important donation from the Government and People of Japan”, the statement said.