Midlands-Based Garda Helps Deliver Ambulances to Hospices in Uganda

A humanitarian convoy carrying Irish-donated ambulances to Uganda has drawn a midlands garda sergeant into a mission aimed at easing suffering for some of east Africa’s most vulnerable patients.

Organised by Hope on Wheels, the effort has brought together more than 20 volunteers to drive 11 ambulances 1,200km from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda.

Among them is Sergeant Paul McNally, a Co Offaly native who has been based in Athlone since 2018.

“When I heard about this opportunity I didn’t hesitate,” he said.

“Thousands of people die every year suffering and in serious pain. Anything that can be done to increase access to care is worth supporting,” he added.

He also thanked senior management in An Garda Síochána, saying they had been highly supportive of his involvement in the trip.

The initiative will place ambulances with hospices caring for critically ill patients

The ambulances, donated by the HSE National Ambulance Service, Dublin Fire Brigade and Civil Defence, were shipped in advance to the port of Mombasa before the convoy set off.

Working alongside the Palliative Care Association of Uganda and the Ugandan Ministry of Health, organisers are formally handing the vehicles over to hospices, where they will serve as mobile outreach palliative care clinics bringing pain relief and essential treatment to critically ill patients in remote communities.

Also taking part in the convoy are Irish social media figure Garron Noone and entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan.

Gareth Sheridan is among the more than 20 volunteers involved in the mission

Hope on Wheels draws inspiration from the late Dr Anne Merriman, the founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, whose trailblazing work made affordable pain relief and compassionate care available to thousands of patients across Africa.

Born in Liverpool to Irish parents, she completed her medical training in Dublin. She died last year at the age of 90.

“For five years we have been driving ambulances by road to Uganda as volunteers,” said Hope on Wheels Chairperson Tom Doyle.

“On our trip last year, we raised money for Hospice Africa Uganda and learned about the massive need for palliative care,” he said.

He added: “We decided there and then we would do a dedicated trip to support the critically ill in Uganda without access to care and pain relief they needed.

“This convoy is about more than delivering ambulances

“It’s about delivering pain relief, dignity, comfort, and care to people at the most vulnerable time in their lives.”

Handover events are scheduled to take place in Kampala today.