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Lithuanian ambulance workers protest lack of air conditioning, citing patient and staff risks
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Health & Science

Lithuanian ambulance workers protest lack of air conditioning, citing patient and staff risks

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Emergency medical service workers in Lithuania are reporting that ambulances still lack air conditioning.
  • Anonymous employees claim these conditions endanger both medics and patients during hot weather.
  • The Ministry of Health stated that 60 new air-conditioned vehicles have been distributed, with more expected.

Emergency medical service workers in Lithuania are speaking out about dangerous working conditions, claiming that some ambulances still lack air conditioning. An anonymous employee complaint, shared with LNK news, alleges that medics are forced to travel to patients in vehicles without climate control.

Jolanta Keburienฤ—, head of the "Solidarumas" trade union for GMP employees, confirmed the issue. "The situation causes problems for patients, but no less for our employees," she said. "It is very difficult to work when it's hot. The vehicles are aging, especially the ambulances, because we drive so much."

The situation causes problems for patients, but no less for our employees. It is very difficult to work when it's hot. The vehicles are aging, especially the ambulances, because we drive so much.

โ€” Jolanta Keburienฤ—Head of the "Solidarumas" trade union for GMP employees, commenting on the difficult working conditions.

While Lithuania has experienced fewer extremely hot days this summer, the potential for discomfort and health risks remains. Health Minister Linas Kukuraitis told LNK that 60 new vehicles with air conditioning have been distributed, and they should be operational during the summer.

As far as I know, it is being purchased centrally and 60 have already been distributed. Air conditioners should be available in the summer.

โ€” Linas KukuraitisLithuanian Minister of Health, responding to a question about the availability of air conditioning in ambulances.

However, Tomas Bagdonas, a representative for the GMP service, acknowledged that the exact number of vehicles without air conditioning is unknown, as regional branches manage their own fleets. "Klaipฤ—da, ล ilutฤ— โ€“ many complain about old cars," Keburienฤ— added.

Bagdonas explained that when a vehicle is undergoing repairs, its air conditioning is also serviced. If it cannot be fixed, the vehicle is used as a spare. He expressed hope that regional branches are managing their fleets accordingly. The GMP service operates over 300 vehicles nationwide, with about 220 in active use.

We do not know how many cars are without air conditioning today, because there are branches and separate large cities that manage their own vehicle fleets separately.

โ€” Tomas BagdonasRepresentative for the GMP service, explaining the decentralized management of vehicle fleets.

Keburienฤ— also noted that some employees are hesitant to speak publicly about their working conditions due to fear of repercussions, citing instances where employees faced ethics committee reviews after raising concerns.

Klaipฤ—da, ล ilutฤ— โ€“ many complain about old cars.

โ€” Jolanta Keburienฤ—Listing specific locations where complaints about old vehicles have been reported.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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