WFP donates ambulance to NDS

The World Food Program has donated an ambulance to the National Drug Service or NDS to augment the agency’s strength in service delivery around the country.

Presenting the keys to the ambulance Thursday, 13 August WFP’s Country Director, Soury Abrahim Ouane, described the NDS as a key player in the supply chain management in the country. “And we believe that this ambulance will help the great dealing in supporting the distribution of drugs to the needy people.

WFP is not only about food; it’s not only about cash distribution, but we also support the supply chain management and supply chain services in the country,” he said. Director Ouane said the WFP has been instrumental in supporting government’s response to the Ebola virus disease, assisting some 600,000 people mainly in the form of cash and food assistance at emergency Ebola Treatment Units and in communities as well.

According to him, the WFP has also given logistical support, including telecommunication and has been a key player in the supply chain management here. “It is in this vein that today, I am very pleased to hand over to the National Drugs Service this ambulance,” he said during the ceremony held at the NDS office inside the compound of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, suburb of Monrovia.

The WFP envoy was led on a guided tour by NDS officials to warehouses storing cartoons of drugs, among others. NDS’ Board Chair, David Vinton, said it was with great pleasure to accept the van, assuring that it would be used for the intended purpose and will be properly managed.

The World Health Organization Representative to Liberia, Dr. Michael Mawanda, who was also present at the ceremony, expressed appreciation to the WFP for the donation to the NDS, saying, NDS serves one of the functions of the WHO – which he says is the supply chain, including drugs and other things.

NDS Managing Director, Benyan K. Johnson, reemphasized that his institution will take care of the van, recalling that the last time the NDS received a vehicle, it was in 2009 from UNDP. He said the vehicles are still in use today, delivering drugs to every part of Liberia, as evidence of NDS’ capability to manage its assets.

However, he said of late, UNFPA or the United Nations Population Fund gave the NDS two trucks that are being fully utilized in reaching every part of the country. With the donation of the new ambulance, he said NDS has additional capacity to deliver drugs or medical supplies to health facilities in fulfillment of its mandate.

For public health drugs donated by foreign partners or bought by the NDS, he said they are used for public health service, adding that the NDS just concluded deliveries to 216 facilities, taking the products to their doorsteps in and around Monrovia. By Winston W. Parley – Editing by Jonathan Browne