TASHKENT (TCA) — In the beginning of 2019, Uzbekistan is to launch the production of ambulance cars based on France’s Peugeot Citroen technologies, the Jahon information agency reports.
According to Rustam Rajabov, Acting Director General of GM Uzbekistan, it is planned to launch the production of two types of modern ambulances at a new plant in the Jizzakh region.
The plant is being built by the joint venture Uzbekistan Peugeot Citroen Automotive (UzPCA), established by the Uzbek Uzavtosanoat automobile company and the French Peugeot Citroen Automobiles S.A. Its authorized capital will be 29.3 million euros, and the total cost of the project makes up 133.3 million euros.
The new plant will address the long-lasting problem with the absence of normal ambulances in Uzbekistan. Damas minivans are presently used as ambulance cars throughout the country, but they are not adapted for the appropriate emergency medical care.
“Damas minivans have been used as ambulances since 1996. Previously, their function was carried out by (Soviet-era) RAF cars, but the plant was closed. As a result, the country needed a large number of cars for the transportation of patients. The choice fell to Damas. They are certainly not the cars for emergency medical care, but only capable to render simple first aid, nothing more. The main task was to take the patient to the medical facility as fast as possible,” Rajabov said.
He told that the new plant will produce two types of ambulances — “A” and “B” class. Cars of “A” class will be designed not for emergency patients, accompanied by medical personnel. Class “B” ambulances will allow conducting operations by a team of doctors.
