The Maria Holder Memorial Trust received a request from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment for the purchase of two ambulances as we were advised that of the fleet of 13 Ambulances only 7 were in circulation. This was due in part to the age of the vehicles, general wear and tear and the ruggedness of this Islands landscape. Nevertheless this provided what was seen by us an untenable situation. Especially, when looking at the uniqueness of the Healthcare system of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with the burden of care spread across 39 Health Clinics, 3 Polyclinics, 5 District Hospitals, 1 main hospital and the lone Diagnostic centre cannot be easy. This means that a robust Ambulance service also needs to be in place to meet the needs and demands of the citizens who require this service.
During medical emergencies, time is of the essence. By providing first aid and stabilising the patient’s condition, ambulance services help prevent a patient’s condition from worsening, it is therefore imperative that there is adequate coverage to meet those demands.
A fully functioning fleet of vehicles will ensure that adequate coverage is available for all citizens of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. The Maria Holder Memorial Trust therefore donated two fully equipped all-terrain vehicles to assist in bolstering the fleet of Ambulances and their response to emergency situations. We anticipate that they will be well maintained and utilised for the fulness of their purpose.
