Press ReleaseUnited States Forces-Afghanistan

January 11, 2009

Release Number 20091101-03

CSTC-A provides ambulances for ANP medical field

KABUL, Afghanistan - In an effort to expand and modernize the Afghan National Police emergency medical patient transportation capability, servicemembers deployed to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan command surgeons office provided seven modified Ford Ranger urban ambulances to the ANP office of the surgeon general.

There are 76,000 members of the ANP and the overall goal is to reach 82,000 in the force. Afghanistan has no pre-existing concept of police forces and ensuring medical treatment is a critical mission, explained Brigadier General Qandahar, ANP surgeon general.

"The (medical) situation in Afghanistan is critical. These ambulances will help us transport patients quicker in order to save more lives," said Qandahar. The ambulances distributed throughout Kabul region are configured to carry two litter patients, six ambulatory patients, or one litter patient with one to three ambulatory patients which allows for a more expedient and effective medical care system.

"It makes me very happy for the police to have these ambulances," said Colonel Par Wan, ANP deputy surgeon general.

Now the ANP hospital, ANP Police Academy, ANP Central Training Center, Afghan border police clinic and ANP Shamshod clinic can offer police personnel, within their region, a reliable transport to a medical facility.

According to Air Force Major David Andrews, CSTC-A ANP senior medical advisor, this is just the beginning.

"This is where the rubber hits the road," said Andrews. "We have to keep pushing forward with better training, more people and getting out in the field."

In addition to the seven urban ambulances delivered today, 283 tactical ambulances designed for rough terrain emergency medical evacuation are scheduled to be delivered early this year.

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