EMS launches affordable ambulance service product

Caption 1:  Paramedics of the EMS Ambulance Service.

Caption 2:  (L) Dr Pulotu, and Deputy Secretary for Health (middle) Dr Paison Dakulala.

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

SINCE its launch in March 2013, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) PNG Ambulance service has proven itself in providing a vital lifeline for its members in terms of the risk between an emergency situation and the trip to a hospital.

The privately run ambulance service in partnership with Digicel PNG will now broaden its service reach to Digicel customers in the nation’s capital at a reduced cost that will see customers have ambulance cover at a mere 30t deducted a day in phone credits.

Managing Director of EMS Dr Lautofa McCarthy Pulotu, said that the reduction in the fees was slashed by up to 70 percent from a initial K1 a day cost.

He pointed out that many people were not aware of the service and were there were a lot of incidences of death on arrival in the city’s hospitals.

“It is a membership arrangement and we encourage residents to join to have that safety from their areas to the hospital as our ambulances are equipped up to the standards used in Australia and New Zealand,” Dr Pulotu said.

“We currently have approximately have around 20,000 and hoping to have a lot more in the coming months.”

“We have a total of six ambulances in operation and have placed orders for four more brand new field ambulances.”

“Since our inception we have not signed on as many as we would have liked, but we have good response from our corporate clients, which is where such an arrangement with Digicel is important.”

He gave comparisons with ambulance services in Australia and New Zealand where members of similar services were charged for every kilometer and additional services provided during the trip, adding that the EMS service was a adding more value at an affordable price.

Under the partnership, Digicel users will register by texting the word “REGISTER” to the number 16567 to be added to the EMS service to receive the service, which will send a link for the recipient to agree to the terms and conditions on the EMS website.

Dr Pulotu added that the system will be updated on a daily basis for Port Moresby alon, however, he also indicated similar set ups will also be used when they expand their services in the future to Lae, Hagan, Rabaul, and Alotau.

“The idea behind this is that we want the general public to be able to afford our high quality service, so when someone is hurt; there is no need for them to go to the neighbors in order to transport their loved ones to the hospital,” Pulotu said.

Speaking on behalf of Digicel PNG, its Legal & Regulatory Senior Counsel, Kien Choong, said that the mobile service provider was privileged to be involved in the project.

“For a project that has significant social benefits for the people I would like to acknowledge the effort and work done behind the scenes for this innovative product,” Choong said.

“With 2 million subscribers, there are a few companies in the country that have the scope and reach in PNG.”

Present also to launch the new product, Deputy Secretary for Health Dr Paison Dakulala said that the department appreciated the service provided and encouraged families residing in the city to make the small sacrifice of 30t a day that would mean the difference when it came to saving the life of a loved one.