The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has launched a first aid training school and commercial ambulance services for members of the public.
URCS General Secretary, Robert Kwesiga speaking at the launch held on Friday in Kampala, said they will be offering international training services to members of the public interested in acquiring skills in first aid.
He said this is also another way the Uganda Red Cross Society seeks to make money for self-sustenance.
“The Red Cross will be renting out its specially trained emergency personnel for services including first aid at the workplace, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Care, Automated External Defibrillation, and Fire Safety, among others,” he said.
“In the last five years or so, we have been trying to get back to our feet. Our main focus moving forward is on sustainability in service delivery, reaching out to those who need our services but also doing it pragmatically. One of the ways to get money is to take advantage of services we give to members of the public but have a balance between services we give to the vulnerable and going commercial.”
He noted that as an institution, they have organized themselves to ensure the ambulances can make some money.
He explained that the Uganda Red Cross Society will continue giving first aid and ambulance services free of charge to the vulnerable but also those who need their services and can afford to pay will also be catered for.
The Society, currently operates a fleet of 25 ambulances, 19 of which were purchased with direct funding by the government.
However, Kwesiga said the new ambulances for commercial use were purchased with funding from other sources including donors.
He said this is also another way the Uganda Red Cross Society seeks to make money for self-sustenance.
Dr John Baptist Wanahe, the Commissioner for emergency health services at the Ministry of Health, noted that the Red Cross is a very fast responder in times of need.
He noted that commercialized ambulance services will help beef up the already available public ambulance services to ensure everyone is covered.