Six ambulances to boost Negros Occidental’s 911 Quick Response Service

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has purchased six negative pressure ambulances to transport patients suffering from severe COVID-19 and other ailments.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the ambulances would form part of the Negros Occidental’s 911 Quick Response Service to be stationed in four or five provincial government-run hospitals.

Lacson said they are looking at the hospitals in Silay City, Cadiz City, Valladolid, La Carlota City and Kabankalan City.

“The ambulances are expensive but we are saving lives here so we cannot consider the cost anymore,” he said.

Negative pressure ambulances are used for the transfer of patients with highly infectious diseases.

The ambulances cost P3.5 million each for a total of P21 million, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.

Aside from having negative pressure bags, the ambulances also have all the basic equipment for life support and an exhaust system for the safety of responders.

Lacson, Diaz,Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and Provincial Incident Management Team Commander Zeaphard Caelian inspected the ambulances at the Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Monday.

Aside from transporting COVID-19 patients, the ambulances will also be used for regular rescue and emergency work, Lacson said.