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Motorcycle ambulances for referral of obstetric emergencies in rural Malawi: Do they reduce delay and what do they cost?
Author(s) -
Hofman Jan J.,
Dzimadzi Chris,
Lungu Kingsley,
Ratsma Esther Y.,
Hussein Julia
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.04.001
Subject(s) - referral , medicine , medical emergency , health facility , rural area , rural health , emergency medicine , environmental health , health services , nursing , population , pathology
Objectives To assess whether motorcycle ambulances placed at rural health centers are a more effective method of reducing referral delay for obstetric emergencies than a car ambulance at the district hospital, and to compare investment and operating costs with those of a 4 wheel drive car ambulance at the district hospital. Methods Motorcycle ambulances were placed at 3 remote rural health centers in Malawi. Data were collected over a 1‐year period, from October 2001 to September 2002, using logbooks, cashbooks, referral forms, and maternity registers. Results Depending on the site, median referral delay was reduced by 2–4.5 hours (35%–76%). Purchase price of a motorcycle ambulance was 19 times cheaper than for a car ambulance. Annual operating costs were US $508, which was almost 24 times cheaper than for a car ambulance. Conclusions In resource‐poor countries motorcycle ambulances at rural health centers are a useful means of referral for emergency obstetric care and a relatively cheap option for the health sector.