Telefomin’s Ambulance

Last month a helicopter lifted a new Ambulance into Telefomin. Previously, the closest thing that the Telefomin hospital had to an ambulance was a flat-bed truck. Although the vehicle, pictured, is not what you might imagine in the UK/Canada, for PNG this is a fit-for-purpose Ambulance, complete with stretcher, oxygen, 4-wheel drive capability, siren and flashing lights. When it was delivered by helicopter, the local government quickly fueled it up and took it on a victory lap around Telefomin and the local villages, with flashing lights & siren at full volume. As the ambulance traveled, I (Shiv) could hear the cheers following it from the local community who understood the incredible value and blessing to having a proper ambulance to take people from the local villages and from the airstrip (A Medical Evacuation) to the hospital.

Ryan took these photos on the day he brought in a Medevac patient, the first time the ambulance was used for it’s true purpose.