The western Hungarian town of Celldömölk received a new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance on Friday within the framework of the National Ambulance Service’s (OMSZ) EU-funded modernisation programme. The official delivery was attended by Minister of State for Health Miklós Szócska and OMSZ General Director Béla Burány.

Under the modernisation programme, the OMSZ will acquire 178 new ambulances. The one that Celldömölk received on Friday is replacing a 13-year-old vehicle with a mileage of more than 600,000 kilometres.

Mr. Szócska said that the new car will provide a more modern and safer working environment for ambulance personnel and its ergonomic outfitting will make their work easier. He also said the new ambulance offers a smoother ride which will increase patient comfort. The Minister of State said these new ambulances are equipped with ECG test systems whose data are sent to and interpreted at a centre, thus allowing paramedics to perform better and more targeted on-site interventions.

The new vehicle will also serve to enhance the future ambulance airbase in nearby Sárvár, with the goal being that any call can be answered within 15 minutes.

(Ministry of Human Resources)