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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