One of the most essential and vital services in the country during times of emergency, the St John Ambulance Services has once again been excluded from the 2022 National Budget plan.
The St John Ambulance services have been very active and committed during the current COVID-19 pandemic, however they have been overlooked again in this budget lockup.
Chief Executive Officer for St John Matt Cannon said they are in disbelief of the exclusion of reference to Ambulance services in the National Budget.
“This decision not to provide a direct funding grant for the ambulance service will inhibit tens of thousands of people from having access to health care in an emergency.”
“This will not only disadvantage the 4 million people in rural and urban communities that St John serves, but it will result in significant and preventable loss of human lives.”
“If St John Ambulance were to cut services in Papua New Guinea, it is estimated that perhaps as high as 2,000 people will die.”
St John is once again calling on assistance to resolve this matter and ensure that basic ambulance services can be provided.