National St John Ambulance (NStJA) has welcomed Prime Minister James Marape's commitment to strengthen ambulance services across Papua New Guinea, describing the announcement as a major step towards improving emergency medical care nationwide.
The Prime Minister announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the Government intends to introduce legislation to formally recognise and support National St John Ambulance's role as the country's national emergency ambulance service.
National St John Ambulance Commissioner and Chief Executive Kai Tane said the Government's commitment would provide greater certainty for the organisation as it continues delivering emergency medical services throughout the country.
"On behalf of the National St John Ambulance Council, our staff, volunteers and the thousands of Papua New Guineans who rely on our services each year, I sincerely thank Prime Minister James Marape for his leadership and his strong commitment to strengthening emergency medical services in our country," Tane said.
He said the Prime Minister's recognition of ambulance services as an essential public service reflected the realities faced daily by frontline emergency responders.
"Our ambulance doctors, nurses, health extension officers, paramedics, ambulance officers, emergency dispatchers, educators, volunteers and support staff respond to people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, often under challenging conditions," he said.
Tane said the proposed legislation would establish a stronger legal and institutional framework to support the long-term growth and sustainability of ambulance services in Papua New Guinea.
He said National St John Ambulance looked forward to working closely with the Government, the National Department of Health and other stakeholders as the legislation progressed through consultation and Parliament.
According to Tane, the strengthened legal framework would help expand ambulance services, improve clinical governance, strengthen the country's ambulance workforce and enhance coordination between National St John Ambulance, Provincial Health Authorities, hospitals, police, fire services and disaster response agencies.
"The National St John Ambulance remains committed to delivering safe, professional and clinically excellent pre-hospital emergency care for all Papua New Guineans," he said.
Tane also welcomed the Government's commitment to developing sustainable funding arrangements to support the continued delivery and future expansion of ambulance services, acknowledging the challenges of providing emergency care across Papua New Guinea's diverse and often difficult geography.
National St John Ambulance reaffirmed its commitment to working in partnership with the Government, the National Department of Health, emergency service agencies and communities to build a stronger, sustainable and nationally coordinated ambulance service aimed at improving access to emergency medical care and saving more lives across the country.
