People are been urged to call the ambulance in an event when there’s an accident with casualties or if the patient is severely unwell.
Chief Medical Officer of St John Ambulance (SJA) & Specialist Emergency Physician at the Port Moresby General Hospital Dr Mangu Kendino said, in the event that any injury has occurred or the out-patient is severely unwell, the by-standers or the family of the patient who is unwell are required to call the ambulance as soon as possible.
Injuries can potentially get worse when handled incorrectly and therefore, in a fall, assault or particularly a motor-vehicle accident, it is recommended that by-standers and family of the patient must call the ambulance immediately so that the trained personnel can safely package the patient or casualty to the hospital.
“This prevents things like excessive hemorrhage (excessive blood loss-internal or external) or destabilizing cervical injuries and even destabilizing cloths or anything that can happen if there’s internal bleeding.”
“It’s extremely important to call 111.”
Dr. Kendino said this makes the transfer of the patient much easier when on an ambulance because it is the correct vehicle with the right space and has interventions like the oxygen supply which can be provided to a patient in need of it.
The SJA toll free number is free as well as the ambulance service to all Papua New Guineans who need care at a public hospital in an emergency.