Basseterre, Saint Kitts, September 1, 2025 (PMO) —Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew has confirmed that five brand-new Toyota ambulances are set to arrive in the Federation by the end of October 2025, significantly strengthening the country’s capacity to deliver timely and reliable emergency medical services.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the move represents a key part of his Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize and transform healthcare in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“The brand-new ambulances will be here in October 2025. In the meantime, we brought in some that we could have gotten almost immediately, which were refurbished. They are in excellent condition better than those we had before,” Dr. Drew explained.
The new ambulances will be strategically deployed across the island, with units stationed at Mary Charles Hospital, Pogson Hospital, and the Joseph N. France General Hospital. Importantly, the Toyota fleet will be supported by the local dealership, ensuring that maintenance and spare parts are accessible and sustainable, an improvement over previous fleets that often faced service and reliability challenges.
The decision to source Toyota ambulances was deliberate, according to the Prime Minister, aligning with the Government’s focus on long-term reliability and the capacity for local management. By consolidating the fleet under a single brand with dealership support, St. Kitts and Nevis will be better positioned to maintain consistency, improve service response times, and reduce costly downtime.
Dr. Drew also addressed misinformation circulating on social media regarding the Government’s acquisition process. He clarified that the refurbished ambulances currently in use are a temporary, responsible solution to ensure uninterrupted service while the new fleet is completed and shipped.
“The delay in delivery was beyond our control. Because of the war in Ukraine and global supply chain disruptions, the specialized Toyota ambulances could not be completed in time. Rather than leave our country vulnerable with an inadequate fleet, we responsibly brought in refurbished ambulances to fill the gap. They are of excellent quality and are fully supported by TDC,” he said.
The ambulances are one component of a broader healthcare transformation agenda being led by the Prime Minister, who also serves as Minister of Health.
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