MELAKA: Four new ambulances have been deployed across the state to strengthen emergency response time, with a focus on assisting low-income residents requiring urgent medical care.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the move is necessary as the state records between 160 and 180 emergency calls each month that require ambulance services.
“Ambulance services play a critical role at the onset of a medical emergency by providing rapid response, continuous monitoring and life-saving support..
“All of these new ambulances are installed with the latest medical equipment and one is also designed to transport obese patients in emergencies,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the four local councils, the Civil Defence Force (APM) and St.John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) at Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh here on Tuesday (April 28).
The APM was represented by Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Ismail Mohd Zawawi and Melaka APM director Lt.Kol (PA) Kamarulsyah Muslim, while SJAM was represented by its Commander-in-Chief Datuk Lai See Ming.
Ab Rauf said the ambulances will be deployed across zones under the jurisdictions of Melaka Historic City Council, Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Alor Gajah Municipal Council and Jasin Municipal Council to enhance emergency response at the grassroots level.
According to the Chief Minister, two ambulances would be operated by SJAM, while the remaining two would be managed by APM according to designated zones.
"With these ambulances, we can strengthen emergency response capacity at the local authority level and ensure faster assistance during emergencies,” he said.
He added that the ambulance service complements the community paramedic initiative by the state government, which provides timely intervention before the arrival of ambulances.
