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St John Ambulance CEO Mr Bruce Grant (right) speaks while vice chairman Mr Jaret Sibanda (left), Bishop of Anglican Church Reverend Chad Gandiya, Mayor of Harare Clr Bernard Manyenyeni and Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yoshi Hiraishi look on after the embassy donated five ambulances to the association in Harare yesterday

David Shumba and Nyasha Weluzani
THE Japanese Embassy yesterday donated four ambulances to St John Ambulance Association to complement the institution’s efforts to supply ambulances countrywide. St John Ambulance Association offers first aid and related services throughout the country. Officially handing over the ambulances in Harare, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Yoshi Hiraishi, said the embassy donated the vehicles to improve the association’s ambulance service provision.
“It is our hope that procurement of these ambulances will be of great assistance to their own efforts to improve people’s access to appropriate medical services.

“We hope this will help them provide emergency ambulance services in a timely manner and thereby reduce unnecessary loss of life,” he said
Ambassador Hiraishi said they had donated the vehicles to ensure sustainability and universality in emergency ambulance services.

“We have been assured that these ambulances will be cared for so as to ensure a constant and reliable service to the public.
“Their service will certainly help to realise people’s universal access to medical care,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the association’s vice chairman Mr Jaret Sibanda, said the donation had come at the right time when the association needed to expand its service provision.
“The donation has come at a right time when we need ambulances all over the country. It is going to make us more efficient in attending to emergencies,” he said.

He said one ambulance would be sent to Bulawayo, one to Mutare and two will be in Harare.
Mr Sibanda said the ambulances would complement the City of Harare, assist Ministry of Health and Child Care in ensuring quality health provision.

Harare mayor Clr Bernard Manyenyeni, who attended the ceremony, said the goodwill had come due to good deeds by St John Ambulance Association.