St John warns of reduced operation during festive season

By LULU MARK
ST JOHN Ambulance has raised alarm about its ability to continue operating during the Christmas period because the Government has not released funds for this year, officials say.
The chair of St John Dame Jean Kekedo had asked Prime Minister James Marape to release K2 million, which is the remaining majority of St John’s budget for 2020 under the National Ambulance Service initiative launched by Marape last year.
Dame Jean said they are aware that funds were allocated for the ambulance service in this year’s budget but none of it has been released.
Chief executive officer Matt Cannon said: “We are feeling the pinch big-time because the money has not been received and there is only a few weeks before the year ends.
“Last year St John attended more than 1,600 emergencies during the Christmas period.”
Cannon said they were expected to attend to more than 2,000 incidents this Christmas.
“We are concerned about our ability to continue serving patients in the public system,” he said.
“Every 30 minutes someone calls St John Ambulance for help.
“These are usually the most confronting emergencies imaginable.”