Sangster International Airport secures onsite ambulance

By Kimone Witter    

 

The operator of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James has secured an ambulance that will be permanently based at the facility to respond to emergencies.

 

The unit was provided by Hospiten, a private medical facility, with which MBJ Airports has a contractual arrangement for the provision of ambulance services.

 

It comes as a review of emergency protocols at the airport takes place following last Wednesday's incident in which a passenger collapsed and died at the airport.

 

The lack of an onsite ambulance was one of the concerns arising from the tragedy.

 

President and CEO of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick, said he was informed on Wednesday that changes have been made to the medical services provided at Sangster International. 

 

"I am pleased to advise that given the review to take place of the whole protocols that are involved, that already in response to this particular concern, that the airport operator has already altered their arrangement with the ambulance providers and have in fact now secured permanent placement of the ambulance at the airport during operational hours," he advised Thursday while speaking on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.

 

Still, Mr. Deidrick said the previous ambulance arrangements at the airport were in accordance with International Civil Aviation regulations. 

 

There is an ambulance onsite at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.