The Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) with support from the World Bank through the Road Safety Fund, has launched the Road Safety Ambulance Call Service number, 5888.
According to the EMS Director at the Ministry of Health, Mark Luke, with the help of the road safety where the Ministry has its representative, the MoH secured funding provided by the World Bank to get the four Digit code that can be used by any of the two major GSM companies operating in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the Ambulance Call Services at the Ministry of Health Wednesday, February 3, 2020, Mr. Luke indicated that the initiative is intended to improve the country’s emergency services.
According to him Liberia has one of the highest cases of road accidents in the world, which he attributed to the inability of drivers not following the road safety system.
Also speaking at the launch, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah disclosed that two years ago the MoH singed a road safety contract with four other line ministries that included Public Works, Transport, Justice, and Education.
She disclosed that currently, the road safety campaign has achieved to some extent, indicating that the MoH is at the end of the campaign, and that its job is to wait until accidents occurred before they can go on the scene.
Dr. Jalleh further disclosed that the Ministry of Health has been proactive in creating awareness and putting in place the needed road safety measures to make Liberians safe from road accident.
She used the occasion to caution Liberians not to drive when drunk, also warning against excessive speeding when driving.
“We want to make sure that if you have any problem , if you get hit or by coming on an accident scene, if you notice anything that you need to call the ambulance for or somebody is sick in your community , we have a new four digit numbers that can be used across the country , the number is 5888,”she said.
The Health Minister also said the numbers will be placed at various public facilities including communities, market places, so that Liberians can make use of the emergency number.
She expressed gratitude partners of the MoH that made the process of actualizing the four digit emergency number for the sole purpose of saving lives.
“Use these numbers wisely do not abuse it, do not call if you do not have an issue that you need to use the ambulance for,” Dr. Jallah stressed. She said calls made for the ambulances will be free of charge.
