Tobago House of Assembly Secretary of Health, Dr. Faith Brebnor, has defended the Tobago Regional Health Authority’s decision to lease ambulances at a cost of $9 million, while approximately $16 million was spent on procuring 12 ambulances.
During the Tobago House of Assembly Plenary sitting, Minority Leader Kelvon Morris questioned the TRHA’s position on the leased ambulances.
In response, Dr. Brebnor confirmed the leasing arrangement and noted that the delivery of the ambulances is on a phased basis.
“The arrangement that was made included having those delivered on a phased basis so that they are not all delivered at the same time and therefore they do not come to the end of their life at the same time, which is what happened with the last set of ambulances that was procured maybe 15 or so years ago, which is why we are in the position we are in now, where we have to provide options to supplement the service.”
Mr. Morris further questioned whether the spend of $9 million to lease ambulances promoted value for money.
“Given that the procurement for ambulances was approved and settled in 2023 and to date, 2025, we are still leasing ambulances to the cost of $9 million, which could have actually purchased over seven ambulances, I am simply asking the Secretary if that is proper management of our very scarce resources.”
Secretary Brebnor countered, justifying the TRHA’s decision to lease ambulances as a wise use of resources.
“So spending $9 million on ambulance services 2022 to now leased services to ensure that we provide the type of service that is needed for the island is actually value for money, and it is part of what it costs to provide health care to the people of Tobago.”
Over the past year, the procurement process for the twelve ambulances faced scrutiny with some calling for clarity on the matter. A report was also been lodged with the Office of Procurement Regulation.