On-call doctor can authorize ambulance to pick up a patient from their home

On-call doctor can authorize ambulance to pick up a patient from their home

By Faria Begum
05/06/2018

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has confirmed that an on-call doctor can authorize an ambulance to pick up a patient from their residence and this depends on the severity of the patient’s condition.

The Ministry has cleared this after concerns were raised by some people as to why ambulances operated by the Ministry of Health, cannot transfer patients from home to health facilities.

People have raised concerns that it is a costly exercise to hire an ambulance from the St John Ambulance.

In its response, the Ministry says the patients condition will be assessed by the on-call doctor and a decision will be made whether an ambulance will be sent to pick a patient.

Meanwhile, Fiji National Ambulance Services Manager, Josefa Bolaqace says the Ministry of Health works collaboratively with the other providers such as the St John Ambulance and National Fire Authority to attend to emergency cases.

Bolaqace has confirmed that ambulance services are provided in accordance with the National Ambulance Policy.  

He says the Health Ministry facilitates patient transfer and retrieval from one health facility to another health facility at no cost.

The Saint John Ambulance has five ambulances operating throughout Fiji while the National Fire Authority has nine ambulances. 

When questioned, St John Ambulance has confirmed that the cost of ambulance runs depends on the location of the patient and runs made from their base in Suva to a place such as Samabula would cost a patient approximately $15 or more.

They have also confirmed that ambulance runs made from their base to places in Nausori or Navua would cost a patient approximately $150.

The National Fire Authority charges a flat rate of 55 cents per kilometer and a $6.65 loading charge.

The Ministry of Health was just recently given 18 new ambulances that were added to its fleet.

FEATURE NEWS
Increased regulatory requirements for mobile wallets including MPAiSA
With mobile wallet users now having to comply with additional regulatory requirements to continue using the service, Vodafone Fiji has announced that ...
14 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Burger King provides $30,000 to support education for needy children
Thousands of underprivileged children in Fiji are one step closer to accessing better education, thanks to a generous $30,000 donation from Burger ...
13 hours ago

Man arrested for allegedly destroying idols at Samabula Sanatan Shiv Mandir in broad daylight
A man has been arrested and is being questioned for allegedly entering and destroying idols at the Sanatan Shiv Mandir in Samabula in broad ...
13 hours ago

Specialised cane harvester for hilly terrain to arrive soon
Specialized hilly terrain cane harvester will soon arrive in Fiji as part of a research and development project under the Sugar Research Institute of ...
13 hours ago

Fiji now has the world’s fastest growing HIV epidemic according to new UNAIDS report
Fiji now has the world’s fastest growing HIV epidemic. A UNAIDS report titled 2025 Global AIDS Update, AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform, ...
17 hours ago

Sanjay Kaba bail variation ruling to be given next Tuesday
The bail variation ruling for Managing Director of Houng Lee Kaba Jacob Limited and former Director of Telecom Fiji Limited, Sanjay Kaba will be ...
18 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
3 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
5 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
8 days ago

TOP