TWO brand new ambulances are set to hit the streets of Providenciales.
The state of the art vehicles have arrived on island and are expected to go into service by the end of the February.
Both are compact with the latest medical equipment, including high tech stretchers and anti-bacterial fittings.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Judith Campbell, said: “We are delighted to have obtained these brand new vehicles, which will be a huge asset to heath care sector.”
“It’s a key milestone for the Ministry of Health and a positive outcome to what has been a priority issue.” She continued,
“But more importantly it’s about the benefits the ambulances bring to the people of the TCI.
“Modern, extensively equipped vehicles such as these will ultimately help save lives – something that is simply priceless.”
The purchase of the ambulances, which cost $85,000 each, brings to an end an embarrassing chapter for the TCI Government
Over recent months, the country’s existing medical response vehicles have been beset by mechanical problems, forcing them off the road for long periods.
In fact, as recently as December, a hired mini-bus with blacked out windows was being used.
“These have been trying times for the Turks and Caicos Emergency Medical Services (EMS)”, said Campbell, “and I’d like to thank its staff for their hard work and patience over recent months.
“We have all been frustrated by the lack of working equipment, but we can now look forward with confidence and pride.”
The flame red Ford diesel E350’s, which comes with 12 months warranty, had originally been ordered from Canadian suppliers, Demers, for military duty in the Middle East.
But after the customer changed its mind, the TCI Government was able to purchase them at a much-reduced price.
EMS paramedic supervisor, Pat Riel, said he and his staff were looking forward to operating the new ambulances.
He explained: “This is a wonderful day for the TCI and I am so pleased we have these fantastic vehicles.
“They really are state of the art and they even include specially treated walls, floors and ceilings that make it almost impossible for bacteria to breed and that is certainly an amazing development in terms of modern day ambulances.
“All EMS staff are now undertaking mandatory driver training, after the vehicles will be freshly sign-written and then go into service on the streets of Provo.”
He added: “Beyond that, the current stock of ambulances in the TCI will now undergo rigorous repairs and maintenance and the plan is to then ensure that every other island has an emergency response vehicle at its disposal.”
Meanwhile bosses at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre have also welcomed the arrival of the new vehicles.
InterHealth Canada TC CEO, Roger Cheesman, said: “The EMS teams provide sterling service to the community and have proven extremely flexible in working under difficult circumstances.
“These purchases by the TCI Government and the executive team at the Ministry of Health will enable the EMS teams to serve with even greater efficiency and moves the overall healthcare system of country one step forward.”
TWO brand new ambulances are set to hit the streets of Providenciales.
