Concerns have been raised about the lack of ambulances and funds to operate the 1990 Suwa Seriya Free Ambulance service in Sri Lanka. 

Outlining an emergency faced recently, a Sri Lankan Doctor says due to the unavailability of a Suwa Seriya Ambulance in the vicinity, an ambulance was dispatched from 13 km away, during which an ill person died. 

Taking to ‘X’, she further revealed that, in conversation, Suwa Seriya Foundation Chairman Dumindra Ratnayaka had acknowledged that the free ambulance service was facing several obstacles in providing a smooth operation. 

Following are the seven key factors that had been outlined by Ratnayake as having resulted in affecting the operations of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Free Ambulance Service,

• Only 322 ambulances for the 22 million population
• 56 ambulances are out of service
• Many trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and drivers have migrated
• Each EMT needs 6 months of training before being given the responsibility of handling an emergency
• Difficult to hire new EMTs because of the poor salary scale. Out of the 200 new EMTs chosen, only 45 want to join
• Ambulances aren’t repaired properly because experienced mechanics have migrated
• Suwa Seriya needs sustainable public-private funding to increase  salaries & provide better service (Newswire)

My 51 yr old neighbour died at home. I had to give CPR to him in his bathroom. Desperatly called Suwaseriya, but they did not have any available ambulances nearby. We could not save him on time..

Why is funding Suwaseriya 1990 & saving lives not a priority for Lankan government?

— Yasuni Manikkage (@ManikkageYasuni) May 14, 2024

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has taken a decision to withdraw from the special Ambulance Service provided to high-profile state officials and politicians of Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media on Thursday (Oct 26), GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge announced that doctors will not travel in ambulances that accompany VIP motorcades.

He said that the VIP motorcades include that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, and Opposition Leader.

Dr. Haritha Aluthge further said doctors would also not participate in health clinics organised by politicians for propaganda and public relations purposes.

He added that doctors will withdraw from these special medical services from November 01, 2023, until further notice. 

The decisions have been taken by the Central Committee of the GMOA as the government has failed to respond to repeated appeals to protect the state healthcare system. (NewsWire)

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