Four ambulances added to Mater Dei fleet

Three new ambulances were delivered to Mater Dei hospital on Friday. Health minister Joe Cassar announced that the ambulances were the first of 11 new ambulances ordered by the government in a €2.5 million deal.

He noted that the tender was published in 2011 and adjudicated in August this year.

The deal also covers the maintenance of the ambulances for five years, the minister added. The remaining ambulances will be delivered by January 2014.

"The procurement of ambulances is more complicated then that of other vehicles since the hospital required various accessories to ensure that all ambulances are equipped properly to the benefit of patients and paramedics," Cassar said.

He also pointed out that a team from Mater Dei, consisting of a Consultant Physician, a Nurse, a Biomedical Technician and a driver carried out an inspection at the Fiat plant and recommended a number of modifications.