An inquiry has been initiated regarding ten Health Ministry ambulances that have been idle for several months at the Ro Qomate building in Labasa. Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa announced that a comprehensive audit will be conducted to uncover the reasons why these vehicles have not been put into service.
Ravunawa stated, “Once the investigation is complete, these ambulances must either be returned to service, properly stored, or disposed of according to government procedures.” These ambulances had previously been utilized at hospitals in Savusavu, Labasa, and Nabouwalu.
The audit will evaluate whether the ambulances received proper assessment by the board of survey, were officially retired, or remained in the system due to administrative negligence. “All government vehicles must adhere to proper protocols before being written off or removed,” he remarked.
The Assistant Minister emphasized the necessity for adherence to procedures concerning any removal of government vehicles. He urged the divisional office and the ambulance coordinator in the North to ensure these vehicles are either auctioned, removed, or stored appropriately.
When questioned about the potential waste incurred from the ambulances not being operational, Ravunawa indicated that this information would become clear following the audit. He noted that despite over ten ambulances donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency last year, many regions still experience a shortage of reliable emergency vehicles. He highlighted that some ambulances dispatched to Viti Levu are not suitable for the Northern regions due to challenging road conditions, underscoring the importance of strategic deployment of these resources.
This investigation reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that essential health services are functioning optimally and that resources are effectively managed for the benefit of the community.
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