A midlands-based garda sergeant is among a group of over 20 volunteers on a humanitarian mission to deliver ambulances from Ireland to Uganda to support the critically ill and dying in east Africa.
The convoy, organised by the Hope on Wheels organisation, involved 11 ambulances being driven 1,200km from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda.
Sergeant Paul McNally is from Co Offaly and has been based in Athlone since 2018.
"When I heard about this opportunity I didn't hesitate," he said.
"The needs for palliative care in Uganda are huge, with less than 11% of the 500,000 people in serious need of pain relief and palliative care accessing it.
"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 thanked the senior management in An Garda Síochána, who he said have been very supportive of his participation in the trip.
The ambulances, which have been donated by the HSE National Ambulance Service, Dublin Fire Brigade, and Civil Defence were shipped to the port of Mombasa ahead of the start of the convoy.
In partnership with the Palliative Care Association of Uganda, and the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the ambulances are being officially handed over to hospices for use as mobile outreach palliative care clinics, bringing essential care and pain relief to critically ill patients in remote communities.
Irish social media star Garron Noone, and entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan are also part of the convoy.
Hope on Wheels is inspired by the late Dr Anne Merriman, founder of Hospice Africa, Uganda, whose pioneering work brought affordable pain relief and compassionate care to thousands of patients across the continent of Africa.
She was born in Liverpool to Irish parents and did her medical training in Dublin. She died last year aged 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.
Adding: "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 planned in Kampala today.
