FLEET OF NEW AMBULANCES EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN SAINT KITTS THIS WEEKEND, FURTHER STRENGTHENING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts, October 17, 2025 (SKNIS) – The island’s healthcare system is set to receive a major boost this weekend with the arrival of five brand-new ambulances, part of the government’s continued investment in modernising and strengthening emergency medical services in Saint Kitts.

Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, made the announcement during the October 17 Sitting of the National Assembly, noting that the new vehicles are expected to arrive in the country by Saturday, October 18, 2025, barring any unforeseen delays.

Dr. Drew explained that the ambulances were procured through Toyota, citing the company’s reliability, the suitability of its vehicles for the island’s smaller roadways, and the availability of local service support through the existing dealership.

“We chose Toyota because we have a Toyota dealership here, and because the roads we have are much smaller, [the ambulances] can accommodate you anywhere you live,” Prime Minister Drew stated. “The government has a responsibility to make sure that we always have enough ambulances.”

While awaiting the delivery of the new fleet, the government previously acquired refurbished ambulances to bridge the gap and ensure consistent emergency response capacity across the island.

Prime Minister Drew emphasised that this investment represents another tangible step in the government’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality healthcare services for all citizens and residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In addition to the arrival of the new ambulances, Dr. Drew announced that the MRI building at the Joseph N. France General Hospital is now nearing completion. The modern facility, built to international standards, will house an advanced MRI system capable of accommodating a wider range of patients — a significant improvement over what is available at the St. Kitts Biomedical MRI.

“What we have is a modern MRI system that is not housed in a container because when it is housed in a container … it can only accommodate persons of a certain size,” Dr. Drew highlighted. “We have gone the length and breadth to build a housing and to be as modern as possible so that we can get a machine that can accommodate all of our citizens here in Saint Kitts and Nevis.”

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Drew confirmed that construction on the new climate-smart hospital is expected to commence before the end of 2025. The project, currently in its final stages of design and readiness assessments, represents a major investment in the future of healthcare delivery in the Federation.

Through these investments — the new ambulance fleet, the modern MRI facility, and the soon-to-begin smart hospital — the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis continues to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhance patient care, and improve the overall well-being of its people.

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