Heart charity presents ambulance to HSA
(L-R) Health Councillor Roy McTaggart, Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Cayman Heart Fund chairman David Dinner; Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Ministry of Health Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn and HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood at the handover
(CNS Local Life): A new ambulance bought with money raised by the Cayman Heart Fund has been gifted to the Health Services Authority (HSA) for the people of the Cayman Islands. The emergency-fleet vehicle was purchased after a huge fundraising effort, including $60,000 donated from the 2016 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge. The vehicle was handed over Wednesday, 12 December, in a ceremony outside the Government Administration Building.
“It is great to see the results of all the combined fundraising efforts by Cayman Heart Fund members, our board of directors and all our sponsors, not the least of which was the DG’s 5K donation,” said fund chairman David Dinner.
“The ambulance will increase the HSA’s ability to respond to cardiovascular and other issues, and will be of benefit to the entire community.”
The charity spent around 18 months raising $150,000 to purchase the ambulance, reaching its goal earlier this year when the DG’s 5K cash-boost was received. The 5K walk/run in April attracted around 1,500 participants on Grand Cayman as well as about 160 on Cayman Brac, making it the largest turnout since the charity event was launched three years ago.
“It makes me very proud to see the ambulance being handed over today after the tremendous effort put in by all at Cayman Heart Fund and everyone who took part in, and sponsored, the 5K Challenge,” said Deputy Governor Franz Manderson.
“This is a shining example of what can be achieved when we all work together. I was very pleased that so many people came out to not only support their personal wellness but to also support the Heart Fund. Now we can see the result of our efforts.”
Health Minister Alden McLaughlin praised Cayman Heart Fund and Manderson for their fundraising initiatives to buy the ambulance. “It heartens me to see the generosity shown across all sectors of our society,” he said.
“While government would of course like to provide all the medical facilities for our islands, we don’t have all the resources that would be in place in an ideal world. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for the input from Cayman Heart Fund, the DG’s 5K challenge and all who contributed to this great effort to buy the ambulance.”
Ministerial Councillor for Health Roy McTaggart also lauded the fundraising efforts. “This new ambulance will be a welcome addition to the emergency fleet and when we see the vehicle on the road, we can be proud to know it was a gift from so many caring people,” he said.
The ambulance was officially handed over to HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Of the three emergency services: the Fire Department, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and Emergency Medical Services, our EMS service is the second busiest – averaging over 420 calls per month, which is equivalent to over 5,000 calls per annum,” she said.
‘These calls for service have continued to grow over the years and we sincerely appreciate this addition to our fleet of emergency vehicles. On behalf of EMS and all the patients we serve, the HSA thanks all involved for this generous contribution.”
Category: Donations, Medical and Health
also the problem is not the equipmet or vehicle but the proper maintenance proceedures and caring personnel
An ambulance bought for $150,000 nonsense you can purchase an ambulance for $70,000 fully outfitted with all biomedical euipment neede etc
I am dumfounded. Why ambulances not purchased with the public money? And why those on the photo are there and smiling?