Kisii County ambulance services development
Kisii County is professionalising its ambulance service through UK-certified training. Plans include increasing trained personnel and implementing advanced dispatch and patient record systems to enhance emergency response within two years.
Overview of the Ambulance Service
At the heart of Kisii County青瓜视频檚 emergency care system is its dedicated ambulance service, owned and operated by the Kisii County Ministry of Health. Currently, the county aspires to have 10 ambulances and 35 ambulance officers. While most of these personnel hold a basic first aid certificate, formal ambulance care training has been limited.
To enhance emergency response capabilities, the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) is launching a professionalisation programme. This initiative includes two cycles of a Kisii University-certified 4-week ambulance officer training course, modelled after the UK ambulance service Miller programme. The training aims to equip both existing personnel and new recruits with essential emergency medical skills, increasing the ambulance cadre to 48 trained personnel.
Launch of the First Training Programme
We are excited to announce that the first ambulance officer training programme in Kisii County has officially begun! This initiative is made possible through collaboration with volunteers from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in England, who are on-site to support the training efforts.
The first cohort of 27 students have started their 4-week training, with hands-on instruction led by Prof. Walter and NWAS trainers. The training team is expanding, with additional colleagues arriving to further enhance the programme青瓜视频檚 practical sessions.
Government and International Support
Kisii County government has taken ownership of the programme by covering in-country costs for the team. Dr Kinane, Economic Advisor to Governor HE Simba Arati, has expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasising the County青瓜视频檚 commitment to improving emergency medical services.
Furthermore, global health organisations are engaging with this initiative. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM) are actively involved, with the WHO Basic Emergency Care Course integrated into Week 3 of training. AFEM is also working toward accrediting the programme.
Looking Ahead: Future Development Plans
The training programme is set to run until 14 March 2025, with the Governor of Kisii County expected to personally award certificates of completion.
In parallel, discussions are underway to implement a formal dispatch and ambulance tracking system, along with a mobile-based electronic patient record system. NWAS representatives and UK-based companies are exploring philanthropic support to build and sustain these critical emergency response tools. The aim is to develop and roll out these systems within the next 18 months to 2 years, significantly improving emergency care coordination in Kisii County.
Conclusion
This initiative marks a significant step toward professionalising Kisii County青瓜视频檚 ambulance services and strengthening emergency medical response for the community. With strong local and international partnerships, this programme is laying the foundation for a responsive emergency care system.