Corfu Ambulance Service finally gets its own motorcycle..from a donor

Corfu Ambulance Service will now have its own - not borrowed - swift response motorcycle. The motorbike that had been in use in Corfu over the last few months to respond swiftly to emergencies and provide first aid until an ambulance arrived belongs to Ioannina Ambulance Service and has been returned.

The donation is from Ikos Resorts and is exclusively for the use of Corfu Ambulance Service. It follows the initiative of Central Corfu Mayor Meropi Ydraiou in response to the request from the Ambulance Service Employees Union. "As it is a matter of life and death for our fellow humans, it was a priority for us to find a solution," the Mayor said.

The motorcycle was handed over today outside the San Giacomo Old Town Hall. The following were present: EKAB Employees Union representatives; Ioannina EKAB Director Michalis Tsovilis; IKOS representative Despina Tzintziou; Mayor Meropi Ydraiou; President of the inter-municipal Social Welfare & Solidarity Union Maria Zervou and Deputy Mayor for Culture Chrysoula Tombrou.

Meanwhile, Corfu EKAB continues to operate with insufficient personnel, leading to few shifts on duty - two to three for the whole island - which cannot cope with demands. The lack of personnel is even more significant in the summer months when needs increase due to the number of people on the island being three times the normal.

For it to operate properly, the Ambulance Service has to hope for donations as the promises from the central and local governments for more staff and infrastructure remain just that....promises.