ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH) received four fully equipped ambulances here on Friday. The Rs8.8 million worth of ambulances were handed over to the hospital management by Health Secretary Anwar Mehmood during a ceremony in which he also announced conversion of six hospital dispensaries into advance clinics by enhancing the strength of doctors and paramedical staff and providing better diagnostic facilities there.

Currently, 28 dispensaries are providing health care to the residents in different sectors under the supervision of the hospital. Anwar Mehmood said the induction of four new ambulances would provide better health facilities to the people round the clock. This was the first ever visit of Mr Mehmood to FGSH after taking over as secretary health.

Deputy Medical Superintendent Iftikhar Narro told this reporter that the ambulances were acquired under the Rs40 million upgradation and renovation plan of the hospital, which had been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council last year.

The ambulances would have the capability of providing en route treatment to the patients. Each ambulance could house two stretchers and is equipped with all modern facilities like oxygen supply and emergency resuscitation equipment and could, therefore, be upgraded into cardiac or trauma care units. The fresh induction has brought the total number of ambulances to five.

A soon-to-be launched central wireless system would connect these ambulances to the control room. Besides, the drivers and paramedics will also be trained to respond to the emergency situations.