| 21 Mars 2017
20 March 2017, Erbil, Iraq –The World Health Organization with logistic support from the World Food Programme, airlifted 15 fully equipped ambulances to Iraq in order to strengthen the response to the increasing trauma and medical related emergencies in west Mosul. These ambulances will enhance trauma care at the frontlines and ensure timely referral to field hospitals.
At the urgent request of the Ministry of Health, the ambulances were appropriately designed, equipped and will be staffed with trained paramedics to offer care to patients while being transported to trauma stabilization points and field hospitals in Athba, Hamam Aleel and Bartalla.
“Early access to ambulance services is an important component of trauma care to ensure good patient outcomes in emergency situations. WHO’s priority is to prevent avoidable loss of life and further complications as a result of injury by providing rapid transport and medical treatment to ensure survival within the golden hour,” said Mr Altaf Musani, WHO Representative for Iraq.
“WHO in support of health authorities has established trauma stabilization points and field hospitals in Athba, Hamam Aleel and Bartalla close to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict,” added Musani.
An additional 15 ambulances are expected to arrive in the country next week to complete the planned shipment of 30 ambulances all meant to support the Ministry of Health and response of partners in Mosul.
To date, WHO has donated a total of 32 ambulances to the Directorate of Health in Ninewa to transport both emergency medical and trauma patients out of west Mosul. WHO will continue to support health authorities and partners to further strengthen the referral pathways by strengthening trauma stabilization points, field hospitals and operative and post-operative care points.
At the start of the west Mosul operations, the Government of Iraq immediately mobilized ambulances for trauma care. Other key partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have also provided ambulances for trauma care.
Lessons identified from the operations in the eastern part of Mosul clearly demonstrate the vital role that ambulances played in ensuring patient transfers from east Mosul to Erbil. Both Directorates of Health of Erbil, Ninewa and Duhok ensured a well-coordinated referral pathway that saved lives of injured patients.
The procurement and management of these 30 ambulances has been made possible with generous funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster (OFDA), the Government of Kuwait and Japan.