OVER 14,000 residents of Mtera Ward, Mpwapwa District in Dodoma Region can easily access emergency health services after the government provided ambulance to Mtera health centre.

The gesture is part of the government’s concerted efforts to provide the vehicles at different health facilities in the country in efforts to improve provision of health services across the country.

Speaking during a brief handover ceremony at the Mtera health centre in Kibakwe yesterday,  Minister of State, President’s Office , Public Service Management and Good Governance, George Simbachawene said the government is committed  to provide timely referral services, especially for pregnant mothers.

The minister warmed that the ambulance should be used for the intended purpose only, noting that the government would not tolerate any deviance.

Simbachawene who is also the Member of Parliament for Kibakwe made the statement  during a public meeting that preceded the official handover of the ambulance, noting that  the vehicle belongs to the government .

"Let me emphasis that the vehicle is only intended for patients and other health related matters in effort to provide quality services to people” said the minister, adding that once the vehicle is on the road, it should be carrying or following a patient.

In another step,  Simbachawene  urged the director of Mpwapwa District Council to ensure that the driver who will be driving the vehicle comes from a nearby   Health Centre so that the vehicle can provide services to patients as soon as an emergency arises

In addition, the minister called on expectant mothers to visit health centres as soon as they see signs of labour to avoid unnecessary deaths.

For his part, the chairman of Mpwapwa District Council,   George Fuime said he will ensure that they closely monitor the use of the vehicle so that it can be of help to all citizens of Mtera Ward and the entire Mpwapwa District.

The handover of the vehicle makes Mpwapwa Council aquire a total of seven ambulances serving health centres in the council, a milestone   towards improving primary healthcare.

The people of Mtera   thanked  Simbachawene, for helping to obtain the ambulance, promising to continue working with him.