Wednesday, June 18, 2025
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ONLY two ambulances are reportedly operational in New Providence — a situation former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands called unacceptable, saying it exposes the false narrative being told about the state of public healthcare in the country.
“If you are sick, you’re having a heart attack, stroke, been shot, God help you right now, because EMS has been allowed to deteriorate to a point that is thoroughly unacceptable in New Providence,” Dr Sands told The Tribune yesterday.
His concerns were echoed by National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) staff, who said they have been grappling with ambulance and personnel shortages.
According to workers, only one ambulance was in operation until Monday night, when a second unit was brought on stream.
They said the issue is compounded by the lack of an in-house mechanic to address minor repairs before they become major failures.
An EMT, who requested anonymity due to fear of victimisation, explained that because mechanical repairs are outsourced, delays in payment from PHA often result in the work coming to a standstill after months of unpaid labour.
They also claim the situation is worsened by what they describe as a lack of urgency from the corporate office.
According to staff, management was notified weeks ago that several vehicles needed tyres and servicing, but action was only taken on Monday to replace the tyres.
One of the newer vehicles is reportedly off the road to prevent catastrophic failure because it is overdue for servicing.
Dr Sands said the ambulance shortage has already contributed to delays in the emergency department and led to long wait times.
“In New Providence, there should be eight units on the road all the time,” he said. “All week, we only had one ambulance on the road; whether that’s because you have a maintenance issue, I believe it is a cash flow problem and that they are simply not paying for maintenance.”
He also criticised the government for highlighting major healthcare investments, like the proposed new specialty hospital and millions allocated for Grand Bahama and facility purchases, while current conditions, remain unacceptable.
EMTs have long lamented the lack of resources, highlighting ongoing fleet shortages and noting that even the newly acquired ambulances have recurring issues.
Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) managing director Aubynette Rolle acknowledged ongoing challenges with the ambulance fleet due to their heavy usage, but said efforts are being made to address the issues.
“I cannot deny that they’re not breaking down but the minute they are having problems, we try to get them up and running and we’ve also just put together a more stringent preventative maintenance programme as well as part of our fleet management,” she told The Tribune yesterday.
Dr Rolle said PHA has reached out to private institutions for support, but they too are facing similar difficulties.
She added that while the authority is working to procure new ambulances from abroad, the process has been slow.
“They are servicing the US first before they come to us and it takes 12 to 18 months to get to us,” she said. “That’s the reality.”
Comments
bahamianson says...
Sell the PM’s BMW and buy about 4 ambulances for the poor and downtrodden. They are supposed to serve us and we end up serving them. We move cars so they can pass, we stop services to announce their tardiness, they enjoy all the festivities and celebrations.
Posted 18 June 2025, 11:15 a.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Doc Sands what about the kidney transplant. Positive indeed
Posted 18 June 2025, 1:12 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Tyers and servicing are small matters. But . SANDS IS CAMPAIGNING. HE HAS LITTLE TO WORK WITH
Posted 18 June 2025, 1:16 p.m. Suggest removal
JohnQ says...
In a modern society, emergency services such as fire and rescue are basic level Government functions. In some cases, it can be accomplished by well trained and well equipped volunteer departments. Unfortunately, we have neither.
Why is this the norm here?
Posted 18 June 2025, 1:51 p.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Birdie saying that one ambulance working is more than sufficient and if we think we need more then we must be FNM because the PLP's are happy with just one. ROFL.
And he asking about the kidney transplant when the subject is ambulances. ROFL.
Political season indeed.
Posted 18 June 2025, 3:19 p.m. Suggest removal
CaptainCoon says...
Typical DEI government. Spend money on the travel and partying but nothing to support the health of their own people.
52 years of Woke negro leadership.
DISGRACEFUL!
Posted 18 June 2025, 4:04 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Here we are and what we sure as hell know, whether or not will admit to it? --- Comes "Union Jack Flag Day" on 13 Day of October 2025. -- 307 years of being taken over by the British... **"little transformation occurred."** -- Still accepting their King as we own King, King's Counsels', Knighthoods' and Ladyhoods' and lots more 'royal titles.' --- The King 'still has to approve' the resident moving into the ten-acre estate atop Mount Fitzwilliam. -- Comrades, it's not fictional. -- Yes?
Posted 18 June 2025, 4:46 p.m. Suggest removal
bogart says...
Given the ability to keep using an already structured means to keep these vehicles operational that repeatedly does not efficiently function and somehow expects the known failures to change needs a different course.
The Government has vehicles for the DEFENCE FORCE operations, vehicles for the operations of the POLICE FORCE and a numerous vehicles in all ministries.
The OBVIOUS question is to WHY the services, repairs, maintenance cannot be established to now be under one roof to obtain obvious economies to get efficiencies instead of spreading the repairs to a host of different outlets all over the place that for various repeated reasons DOES NOT WORK and use of the vehicles is critical to the well being of the citizens of the nation, foreign guests, visitors...... ??????
Perhaps they could also incorporate the Bahamas Skills Training Institute to have persons engage in body works, transmission of engines, starter systems, air conditioning systems etcetcetcetcetc. to repair vehicles under one GOVT. Vehicles Repairs and Maintenance roof.
Posted 19 June 2025, 9:30 a.m. Suggest removal
BahamaRed says...
They don't consider EMS as essential. That is the crux of the problem. EMS is a necessary evil to them and therefore only receives scraps after outcries are made. They do not receive anything unsolicited and new the way the police and defense force do. The police force has gotten numerous new trucks, cars, and motorcycles and EMS struggles to get one sensible ambulance.
EMS is oftentimes the first on scene yet the EMT'S don't even have insurance. Exposed to all manner of disease and such in the course of providing care, yet it's the police and defense force with insurance-including their dependents.
They need to revamp the entire EMS system and put people in place who will get the job done.
Posted 19 June 2025, 11:48 p.m. Suggest removal
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