First Ambulance with Built-In Oxygen System Deployed to Glanvilles, Health Minister Says
Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph says a newly commissioned ambulance assigned to the Glanvilles Polyclinic marks a major step forward in emergency medical care, describing it as the first in Antigua and Barbuda equipped with a built-in oxygen system.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, Joseph underscored the significance of the upgrade, noting that the vehicle introduces a higher standard of pre-hospital care.
“This ambulance is the first ambulance we have in Antigua and Barbuda with a built-in oxygen system,” he said. “Let me repeat that.”
He explained that the new unit also creates space for more advanced medical equipment, including heart monitors capable of transmitting patient data to hospital teams before arrival.
“So when they arrive at the emergency, the doctors are already aware of the condition of the patients,” Joseph said, pointing to what he described as a critical improvement in response coordination.
The ambulance has been stationed at the Glanvilles Polyclinic to serve communities across the Eastern Corridor, an area the minister said had long faced delays due to the need for emergency vehicles to travel from St John’s.
“We had a situation that was just not acceptable,” Joseph said. “The Eastern Corridor of this country is at risk more than the rest of the country because it requires ambulance to travel from St John’s.”
He added that the new placement is expected to significantly reduce response times. “This ambulance is dedicated to the Eastern Corridor, and I expect the response to be much quicker. Every minute counts. Every second counts when you’re responding to an emergency.”
Joseph credited the Prime Minister for making funds available to acquire the ambulance and said the move reflects the government’s urgency in addressing gaps in healthcare access, even during the election period.
“We are here this morning because the Ministry of Health takes no pause in executing its duty,” he said. “If we have an emergency right now, we have an ambulance in Glanvilles that could travel to Willikies… To delay is to leave the people of these parts at greater risk.”
The minister described the deployment as part of a broader push to modernise and expand emergency medical services nationwide, beginning with improved coverage in underserved areas.
“This is an important development,” he said. “These are the types of modern, up-to-date technological things we need to introduce in Antigua and Barbuda, and we can start with this ambulance.”
Joseph also indicated that operational improvements are expected at the Glanvilles facility once services currently based there are transitioned back to All Saints, a move he said is nearing completion.
“When we do that, the functions… of Glanvilles Clinic will see dramatic improvement,” he said, adding that additional space will enhance working conditions for staff and service delivery for patients.
The ambulance was formally handed over during the ceremony and is expected to be placed into immediate service, providing faster emergency response for communities including Glanvilles, Willikies, and surrounding areas.
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