Rwanda deployed a fleet of 114 brand new basic and advanced life support ambulances across the country, on Friday, August 9, to strengthen its emergency medical services.

The 114 new ambulances mark the largest single acquisition in the country’s history. This move, aimed at enhancing medical response nationwide, was announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, on Friday.

Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized the importance of equipping the health sector with the necessary tools to ensure effective delivery of healthcare services. He noted that this acquisition aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the sector. This initiative also fulfils a promise made by the President to health workers, particularly community health workers, to continue supporting efforts to improve healthcare access for all Rwandans.

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The new ambulances are expected to improve the speed and efficiency of healthcare delivery across the country.

In light of the development, here are five key things you need to know:

Rwanda surpasses WHO’s ambulance coverage target

Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted that with the addition of the 114 new ambulances, Rwanda exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target for ambulance coverage. The UN health agency recommends at least one ambulance for every 40,000 to 50,000 people.

"Rwanda has worked persistently to meet and exceed this target. Today, we are at a point where one ambulance serves approximately 30,000 people. The newly acquired ambulances will further improve this ratio. Additionally, we are expecting 44 more ambulances, which will help us achieve our target. We are pleased with this progress,” he said.

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The country has set a goal to reach a ratio of one ambulance per 20,000 people, and Dr. Nsanzimana noted that good progress is being made towards this objective.

Ensuring ambulance safety and proper use

Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized the importance of using the ambulances appropriately. He noted that while ambulances can contribute significantly to healthcare delivery, improper use could hinder their effectiveness. He urged drivers to avoid excessive speeding, pointing out that driving safely is key to reaching destinations without incidents.

"We have evaluated ambulance speeding and introduced technology that prevents the vehicle from exceeding 80 km/h unless it is an emergency. In such cases, we request police assistance to ensure quick and safe transport to the hospital,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, almost all ambulances countrywide, the new ones included, are equipped with technology that prevents the engine from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol. A call center also tracks the movement of each ambulance, and the government is working on improving the system so that patients who request for an ambulance can track its movement as well.

Dr. Nsanzimana said that the number of ambulance accidents has decreased from four per month to two, and the goal is to eliminate accidents.

He noted that the government is working with the police to ensure ambulances have clear passage on the roads and urged road users to allow ambulances to pass quickly.

Increase in advanced life support ambulances

Among the 114 new ambulances, there are two categories: basic life support and advanced life support.

The advanced life support ambulances, which have ICU facilities increased from one to nine nationwide, making a total of 10. This increase will greatly benefit health service delivery, particularly in remote areas that previously faced challenges in accessing emergency care.

Dr. Nsanzimana added that the ambulances are equipped with the latest technology to enhance their functionality and response times.

Joining the global ambulance network

According to Dr Nsanzimana, Rwanda has also embarked on a new initiative by joining the global Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network, replacing the previous system known as SAMU (Service d&039;Aide Médicale Urgente).

This new system integrates all ambulances nationwide, ensuring they can be dispatched anywhere in the country using advanced technology.

"This national system means that ambulances are no longer tied to specific health centers or institutions. The EMS ambulances will be part of a unified system that serves the entire country,” Dr. Nsanzimana explained.

Previously, SAMU services were mainly available in Kigali, but the new system allows anyone, anywhere in Rwanda, to request for an ambulance through a centralized system.

Target to acquire 510 ambulances

Rwanda’s ambulance fleet was previously fewer than 300, with some vehicles being outdated.

With the recent acquisition, the fleet has grown to nearly 500 with nearly 200 new ambulances in just two months. The country’s target is to reach 510 ambulances, which is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery.

Dr Nsanzimana said that the cost of each ambulance varies, with basic life support ambulances priced between Rwf 70 to 80 million, while the advanced life support ambulances cost over Rwf 110 million.