Governor Orengo Unveils Modern Ambulances to Enhance Emergency Medical Services
From siaya.go.ke, Samwel Makene
The County Government of Siaya has taken decisive action to improve healthcare accessibility and quality – a core pillar of the Nyalore Administration’s Manifesto. Governor James Orengo inaugurated two new modern ambulances for Ukwala and Madiany Sub-County Hospitals to enhance emergency medical services across the county. This launch fulfills a prior commitment made during the opening of the Madiany Maternity Complex to strengthen referral systems and improve healthcare access for all residents. By expanding emergency response capabilities, Governor Orengo demonstrates his dedication to reducing mortality rates and ensuring timely access to medical care, particularly in remote and underserved areas of Siaya County.
The success of this initiative owes much to partnerships with organizations like Rescue Connect and Malteser International. Rescue Connect, in collaboration with the county government, has facilitated the evacuation of six hundred mothers and children over two and a half months, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates in the county. Malteser International has further supported these efforts by providing trained personnel to operate the ambulances and conducting extensive training for community health providers. Such collaborations embody Orengo’s strategy of leveraging partnerships to bolster healthcare services, illustrating his manifesto’s commitment to quality, affordable healthcare for all Siaya residents.
In tandem with the ambulance launch, Siaya County also introduced its Emergency Medical Services (EMS)and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plans, establishing a structured framework to support emergency care. Central to this framework is developing an Emergency Operations Centre, a critical nerve center that integrates essential services such as ambulance operations, disaster management, humanitarian assistance, and public health responses. These plans align Siaya County with fourteen other counties implementing similar frameworks and reflect Orengo’s dedication to creating a resilient, integrated emergency healthcare system capable of responding to diverse health crises swiftly and effectively.
Additionally, the EMC Plan addresses vital aspects of emergency care at all stages, from the scene of injury or illness to transport and arrival at healthcare facilities. The EMC Plan creates a robust emergency care system by establishing standards, addressing regulatory gaps, and securing sustainable financing. This includes training ambulance operators through emergency vehicle courses, equipping them with essential skills for efficient response. The introduction of the Mama Link system further reinforces referral services, fostering seamless patient transitions between healthcare facilities. These initiatives reflect Orengo’s commitment to universal healthcare access and to building a skilled healthcare workforce that upholds the county’s standards of care.
Governor Orengo’s healthcare initiatives represent a transformative shift towards a more equitable and accessible healthcare system in Siaya County. His Nyalore Manifesto emphasizes quality and affordable healthcare, which is brought to life by expanding emergency services, strategic partnerships, and training and infrastructure development. These proactive measures reduce healthcare disparities, improve delivery outcomes, and promote a healthier community across Siaya. Governor Orengo’s leadership in healthcare reform signals a commitment to building a system where every resident, regardless of their location or income, can access timely, high-quality healthcare, marking a new era of public health advancement for Siaya County.
