Lato Constituency invests in health services with new ambulance for Bana District
Keys to a brand-new ambulance valued at K300,000 were officially handed over this morning at the Ela Motors Buka Branch for the people of Lato Constituency in the Bana District. The vehicle was purchased under the constituency development program of the Member for Lato Constituency and Minister for Community Development, Hon. Melvin Wilolopa.
Minister Wilolopa confirmed that the ambulance was funded through the K1 million Constituency Grant allocated to constituencies in 2025. The vehicle, purchased in June 2025, is fitted with a stretcher bed and an installed oxygen cylinder to support emergency health care.
“It was a long wait since the payment was made in June, but I am happy that it is finally here to serve the people of Bana in terms of transporting patients on referrals to Buka and Arawa, emergencies and or repatriation of deceased persons,” he said.
Minister Wilolopa said Lato constituency prioritized health and education as important sectors for investment, adding that as leaders, it was about getting priorities right and putting the funds to good use where the people’s needs are.
“As leaders it’s about putting priorities where the people's needs are and I am happy that I am accountable for the public funds that are given to us as leaders, so this is one example of it and I have prioritized all these funds to ensure that our people are served.”
Lato constituency is serviced by three main health facilities – Morotono, Sovele, Keriau and a smaller one at Siandaro that is run by the United Church. The purchase of this important asset will provide transportation for patient referrals, emergencies, repatriation of deceased persons and assist to carry health programs in terms of immunisation and other public health programs within the district.
The ambulance will be located at the Bana District Office under the care of the District Health Manager to service health facilities within the district.
Hon. Wilolopa also announced plans for a new governance model to manage the asset, stating that Lato Constituency is developing a humanitarian foundation to oversee its use.
“We are looking at establishing Lato Humanitarian Foundation, and have this vehicle parked under that umbrella so that we have a committee to make decisions on this asset, so that it serves its purpose,” he said.
He noted that in the past, National MPs had presented vehicles to health facilities in South, however, these facilities did not have the capacity to manage and maintain the ambulance.
“This vehicle needs sustainability to run and maintain itself, that is why I think that there should be a committee and I believe that through the umbrella of Lato Humanitarian Foundation (LHF) which are trying to establish, these matters will be addressed,” he added.
Bana District Health Manager Fernando Magala who was present to receive the keys from Ela Motors thanked the Member for Lato constituency for purchasing the ambulance and for making health a priority.
“I want to thank the Member for Lato who was able to make this asset possible for us the people of Bana. Bana does not have such assets and many times we find it very difficult when it comes to referral of patients, especially the health facilities so with this vehicle, it will help us in terms of referrals and other public health programs, it is a very big issue that we are faced with in terms of transport,” he said.
Mr. Magala called on the people of Lato and Bana to look after this important government asset so that it will in turn serve the people in delivering health services. The same call was also made by Minister Wilolopa.
“The only message to the people of Lato is, be responsible for what assets or initiatives that we come up with, this asset is not for me, it is for the people, and I think for the record as well, I think I’m also happy that I am paving history as an ABG Member to purchase an ambulance for my constituency,” he said.
“You got to have a vision and you got to have priorities to make things happen, if you do not have these goals and vision, you will not achieve anything, and I am happy that I am serving my people.”
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