by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada
- MOU signed for care and maintenance of ambulance units
- Fleet of ambulances donated to country’s 3 hospitals
The Ministry of Health, National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and the Canadian Bank Note Company Limited (CBN) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the next 10 years that will allow for the care and maintenance of the ambulance unit.
With the addition of 2 ambulances at the disposal of the various health facilities throughout the tri-island state, the health sector is said to be compliant with the minimum standards required for ambulatory services as set out by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). A clause has also been inserted to ensure that the General Hospital can receive another ambulance unit every 5 years.
As part of the mandate of the NLA to promote sports, culture and national building, NLA Chair Devon Charles said now that the health sector has reached minimum requirement for the number of ambulance units that must be available, it is hoped that a unit can be made available for all sporting events. “How can we continue to produce athletes if we don’t have healthy medical facilities. Sometimes when we look around, we see a major sporting event or maybe even simple sporting events taking place, and there isn’t a medical team or a unit on the ground.”
Local CBN director Simon Wall said they have been in partnership with the NLA for over 30 years and he is optimistic that this relationship can continue well into the future. “We have an excellent relationship as far as we are concerned, and I think we have supported the NLA and we are very proud of the work that they do… this is a great step forward. Look inside the ambulances…these are fully equipped and as good as you’ll get anywhere in the world.”
Minister for Health, Nickolas Steele said the government has welcomed reaching the minimum standard requirement for ambulatory services which will go a long way in improving the delivery of healthcare services. “We will work together hand in hand. I think the commitment most definitely from the Ministry of Health is to ensure that there are ambulatory services nationwide and with your contribution, we are able to make that commitment per the standard set by PAHO.”
CBN is also responsible for upgrading Grenada’s border management system through the introduction of biometric identification technology. On Monday, 17 December, the Ministry of Health received a fleet of new ambulances donated to the General Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital and Princess Alice Hospital by Grenlec and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, a Barbadian fund organisation.
