THA LEASE AMBULANCES IN THE MILLIONS

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The Tobago Regional Health Authority has leased ambulances for the people of Tobago, to the tune of over nine million dollars for the period 2022 to 2025. This revelation was made by Health Secretary Dr Faith Brebnor, when questioned by Minority Leader Kelvon Morris, who asked on Wednesday at the Assembly Chamber if this was in fact value for money. More in this Elizabeth Williams report.

Transcript

00:00For financial 2024 to 2025, we leased ambulances for the daily service,

00:10and the total cost for that was $5,356,125.

00:22Dr. Bradness said the ambulances were leased in one instance during a Christmas period,

00:28as only one ambulance was operational.

00:31She added,

00:31The cost for 2023 to 2024 for that daily service was $4,050,000.

00:42So for 2023 to 2024, the total was $4,137,750.

00:52Minority leader Kelvin Morris asked the health secretary

00:56if this over $9 million spent was in fact value for money.

01:01Secretary, given that the cost of an ambulance is averaged $700,000,

01:07and we have now spent $9 million over a period of only one and a half years

01:13to purchase, to lease four ambulances,

01:17does the secretary consider this value for money?

01:21The health secretary insisted health care is costly and the spend is value for money.

01:28The Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection

01:31has to give a subvention to the Tobago Regional Health Authority of over $40 million.

01:43And I repeat, $40 million every single month, Madam President,

01:49because that is what it actually costs to provide the service that is provided.

01:54So spending $9 million on ambulance services 2022 to now,

02:03leased services to ensure that we provide the type of service that is needed for the island,

02:08is actually value for money.

02:11Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.

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