Euro standard ambulances coming to Mongolia
The Polish automotive engineering company “Stolarczyk” has provided fire-fighting trucks and ambulances to Mongolia
The history of modern Mongolian-Polish relations begins with the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Poland in 1950. Since then, the two countries have been cooperating in all fields. During the period of socialism, the relations between the two countries developed intensively, and in 1966-1985, with the help of Poland, a total of 9 factories were established in Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Choibalsan, and Kharkhorin. In recent years, the governments of the Republic of Poland and Mongolia have been seeking to promote the economic development and welfare of Mongolia as well as deepen the economic cooperation between the two countries. The state visit of Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj to the Republic of Poland in 2013 along with intergovernmental meetings of the two countries, led to the grant of 50 million euros tied aid credit to Mongolia in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) regulations concerning tied aid. Consequently, the "Tied aid credit agreement between the Governments of Mongolia and the Republic of Poland" was signed on May 2017. Following its initial expiration in July 2018, the agreement was extended in 2021. This tied aid credit has a term of 28 years with an interest rate of 0.15 percent, and 5-year grace period from the date of credit utilization. Hence, this credit is regarded as highly advantageous for Mongolia.
The tied aid credit funds have been utilized for various projects, including the successful implementation of initiatives such as upgrading fire fighting equipment, the second-level field mobile hospital for emergency response, and supplying specially equipped ambulances for medical care services in the local area.
The Polish automotive engineering company “Stolarczyk” was chosen as the tender bidder for the aforementioned projects and commenced collaboration with the Mongolian side. Within the framework of the “Upgrading fire fighting equipment” project, the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) obtained 15 fire-fighting trucks of distinct types in 2019 which have been manufactured by the “Stolarczyk” company. These newly acquired trucks were allocated to entities including the Metropolitan Emergency Management Office and high fire-risk areas such as emergency departments of Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Darkhan-Uul, Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Tuv, Umnugobi and Khuvsul provinces. Project of the second-level field mobile hospital project is designed to respond to the emergency public accidents, and is fully or partially deploying in disaster-affected areas with the capacity to provide specialized medical services to 35-50 victims simultaneously. Drawing from past collaboration experience, the “Stolarczyk” is actively involved in the project for "Supplying of specially equipped ambulances for providing mobile medical care services in local areas". Under this project, the company is responsible for manufacturing and delivering 33 ambulances fully equipped to endure the harsh climate conditions of Mongolia. The first batch of ambulances have already arrived in Mongolia and will be handed over upon the installation of special additional equipment.
In this interview, we spoke with Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk, the General director of the “Stolarczyk Group”, a provider of fire-fighting trucks and ambulances to Mongolia.
Q: First of all, could you briefly introduce the STOLARCZYK group?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: The STOLARCZYK Group currently consists of four companies that produce and provide services in different sectors, such as the automotive industry, metal industry, mining, production of granite products for the construction industry, as well as production of products using 3D printing and environmental pollution measurement services.
Q: I heard you are a car designer. What draws your interest to automobiles and do you involve in designing the machinery that made in your factory?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: Yes, although this is always a joint effort of me and my employees. Many of my ideas are given to a group of designers who bring them to life. It's a complex process that requires a lot of work.
Q: Previously, the Stolarczyk group provided advanced fire-fighting trucks to Mongolia that equipped for Mongolia’s challenging climate and road conditions?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: I must admit that this was a big design challenge. The temperature differences that prevail in Mongolia forced us to design vehicles adapted to operate in such a diverse climate. As far as I know, the provided solutions are working out very well. While I am very satisfied with them, I have many more ideas for even better solutions if future delivery opportunities arise.
Q: Do you supply vehicles and equipment to other foreign countries?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: Yes, our vehicles are successfully used in many countries in Asia (China, Vietnam, etc.), Africa (Iraq, Congo, etc.) and Europe (Germany, Iceland, etc.). This also applies to other products.
Q: Known for fire-fighting vehicles and equipment, now your company is delivering ambulances to Mongolia. What motivated your involvement in the project of supplying ambulances to Mongolia?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: The Embassy of Mongolia in Warsaw contacted us regarding a request from the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to establish contact with a number of enterprises and organizations that manufacture fire-fighting equipment and machinery in Poland. As a response, we visited Mongolia to present our company’s activities to the NEMA. Our collaboration with Mongolia commenced with valuable assistance from Ms. Munkhtuya Nadmid, the counselor at the Embassy of Mongolia in Poland at that time. Through successful bilateral cooperation, we supplied 15 firefighting trucks to the NEMA. Subsequently, leveraging our past collaboration, we signed an agreement to provide ambulances to the Ministry of Health of Mongolia. Given our expertise in manufacturing special purpose vehicles, this project posed no significant challenge. These ambulances not only adhere to Euro standards, but also designed to effectively operate in extreme climate conditions, ensuring excellent quality. For instance, the main body of the fire truck boasts the advantage of being cast without any welding.
Q: Euro standard ambulances are introduced in Mongolia for the first time. Please tell us what are the notable advantages of these ambulances?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: The ambulances made by our company, in cooperation with MAN and other manufacturers of materials and equipment. For vehicles to Mongolia, a slightly different manufacturing technology involving use of materials, specially dedicated to this climate, had to be additionally implemented. In constructing ambulance cabin, special fire-retardant wood was utilized for insulation, providing an effective solution to prevent overheating in summer and heat loss in cold temperature. Safety and comfort for the operator, i.e. the driver, paramedic and doctor as well as the patient, are the primary advantages. I believe that, these ambulances will serve well in providing aid and rescuing patients in Mongolia.
Q: Your company has produced these ambulances during the Covid-19 pandemic. How did your company navigate challenges when all borders and factories were closed?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: It is true that Covid-19 pandemic has made and continues to make many obstacles to this project implementation. However, with the strong commitment of our employees and good cooperation with business partners, we manage to overcome them and execute well all signed contracts.
Q: The Stolarczyk group does not have its representative office in Mongolia. Without a representative office in Mongolia, how did you collaborate with the Mongolian side in negotiating projects?
Mr. Miroslaw Strolarczyk: True, we have no representation in Mongolia, and we express gratitude to Mrs. Nadmid Mukhtuya for her support and assistance in project-related matters. Without her help, the successful implementation of the project would not have been possible. Despite encountering numerous challenges throughout the project, constructive discussions between the parties led to detailed agreements on technical aspects, technology, equipment, and specification standards, ultimately ensuring the project's success. I extend my deepest appreciation to Ms. Nadmidin Munkhtuya, former counselor of the Embassy of Mongolia in Poland, Colonel Ts. Nyambayar, Head of the Fire Fighting Department of the NEMA, T. Khongorzul, Head of the Investment Department of the Ministry of Health, expert B. Sansarmaa, and the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland to Mongolia, Mr. Stefan Hejnowicz.
While the metropolitan standard prescribes one ambulance per ten thousand people, Ulaanbaatar currently falls short, having only half of the required ambulances. Ambulances are supposed reach its destination within 15-20 minutes after an emergency call, but due to shortage of ambulances, and traffic congestion often extend the wait to an hour or more. Consequently, the 33 ambulances provided by the Polish company “Stolakczyk” through the “Tied aid credit agreement of the Governments of Mongolia and the Republic of Poland", will play a crucial role in enhancing the delivery of the high-quality emergency care to both urban and rural residents of Mongolia.
Additional projects funded through the “Tied aid credit agreement of the Governments of Mongolia and the Republic of Poland" includes to expand and rebuild wastewater treatment facilities in Bayan-Olgii, Govsumber, Dornod, Uvs, and Zavkhan provinces, along with the construction of a solid waste processing plant in Erdenet city to improve waste disposal management. These projects are currently underway.
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