UNICEF, the United Nation Children Fund, has reached out to the expectant mothers in the rural areas of Lakes State in a bid to curb maternal deaths by donating six motorbike ambulances.
UNICEF Communication Officer Dau Deng said the agency’s mission focuses on the health of the child and the mother as shown in their logo, Good News Radio reported.He said the ambulances were provided because a recent survey indicated that many expectant women die during delivery because they are unable to reach health facilities.
Mr Dau urged the seven graduates drawn from different health facilities across the State who have been trained for a week to ride motorbike ambulances to be responsible and committed for the project to be a success.
Acting Director General in the State Ministry of Health Michael Mading Kachuol warned riders not to use the motorcycles for private ends like carrying farm produce.
He told the riders to stick to saving the lives of pregnant women and not transporting dead bodies.
Dr Mading commented that most of the State Hospital Ambulances are used for transporting corpses from the hospital instead of carrying sick people to the health centres.
The motor ambulances are equipped with first aid kits and beds on side carriers to transport pregnant women.
The vehicles were distribute to health facilities in six counties of Lakes State.