Government Purchases 17 Ambulances

During the past year, 17 ambulances were purchased at a cost of US$884,323 for distribution across all health regions, Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed.

Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25, Dr. Ferguson said delivery of these units is expected to begin by the end of July.

“Since I took office in January 2012, we have purchased a total of 56 vehicles to support various areas, including mental health, vector control and emergency medical services,” he said.

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In the meantime, the Minister informed that new X-ray machines are being procured for the Princess Margaret, Annotto Bay, May Pen and Mandeville Regional hospitals.

On another matter, Dr. Ferguson pointed out that the Ministry’s plans to move from a paper based system of storing health records to electronic storage and retrieval of patient data, is now advanced, with the first phase of the National Health Information System Strengthening and e-Health Strategy for the four-year period, 2013-2017 now underway.

“The implementation for the first year began in April 2013 with a number of activities being undertaken, in accordance with the Strategy,” the Minister informed.

Contact: Alecia Smith-Edwards