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.
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