Lodwar – 1st August 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Twenty ambulance drivers have successfully completed a six-day Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), enhancing their ability to navigate emergency situations and transport patients safely.

This inaugural EVOC training, supported by the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) and Malteser International, provided the drivers with both theoretical and practical skills in ambulance operation during medical emergencies.

During the closing ceremony, Director for Administration Rebecca Alimlim emphasized the importance of teamwork in emergency medical services, urging the drivers to be diligent and to continually develop skills that could save many lives in Turkana.

County Referrals and Emergency Coordinator Kephas Achiro remarked, “Having the right personnel with the right skills will assist in achieving coordination and regulation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system across the entire county.”

A senior driver, Peter Oduor, noted that the training expanded his role beyond driving, as he is now equipped to provide basic first aid to patients during transportation.

The drivers are now trained to maneuver through traffic, handle intersections, and maintain control during high-stress situations, ensuring the safe transportation of patients.

They also received certificates qualifying them as certified ambulance operators.

The training covered a range of topics, including emergency medical services safety, road ambulance standards, roles and responsibilities of ambulance operators, legal and ethical issues, vehicle inspection, maintenance and repair, and the lifting and moving of patients.