WILLEMSTAD – The government will proceed with the purchase of new ambulances, Minister of Finance Charles Cooper announced during a parliamentary session. The announcement comes just weeks before the Curaçao Parliament resumes debate on longstanding concerns surrounding the current ambulance fleet.
On February 12, the Staten van Curaçao is scheduled to continue discussions on the earlier acquisition of two ambulances by Fundashon Kuido Ambulans Kòrsou (FKAK). That debate was suspended in June following sharp criticism from both members of parliament and ambulance service staff.
Employees reported at the time that the ambulances suffered from technical and practical shortcomings and were not fully operational. Among the issues raised were limited interior space and the inability of the vehicles to enter the emergency department of the Curaçao Medical Center, potentially hampering emergency response.
The director of the ambulance service previously defended the procurement, stating that the choice had deliberately fallen on diesel-powered ambulances with four-wheel drive, intended to handle narrow roads and difficult terrain across the island.
Minister Cooper’s latest statement suggests that the cabinet now acknowledges the need for additional or alternative vehicles. The upcoming parliamentary debate is expected to clarify what consequences the new purchase plans will have for the existing ambulances and how the government intends to address the concerns raised about emergency medical transport capacity on Curaçao.
