An unfortunate incident at the Northern Caribbean University rekindled conversations surrounding the less than ideal (acceptable) response time to certain health emergencies. 

On Tuesday, January 29,  the availability of the Northern Caribbean University’s ambulance was again called into question when a student of the university collapsed and suffered a seizure during one of his class sessions.

According to eyewitnesses, the young man – who will remain nameless –was stationed on a classroom floor for almost an hour before a vehicle was made available to take him to the Mandeville Regional Hospital, where he was treated.

The underlying issue behind the immobility of the ambulance is unknown to us. However, according to senior administrator in charge of campus safety, Loss Prevention & Risk Management, (LPRM), Professor Dr Paul Gyles, repairs to the vehicle are expected to be completed in 4-6 weeks. This time frame is due to overseas purchases that are to be made to acquire parts. However, it is the alternate arrangements in the absence of the institution’s only ambulance that leaves students to question the measures that are being implemented to substitute for the health transport services. Sadly, it appears as though the university has no definite or publicized plan for this. When questioned, Dr Gyles had no comments as it relates to the issue at hand– that is, what are the interim arrangements for this needed emergency response.

One student said, “the fact that there is no vehicle available to take students to the hospital to receive medical attention is embarrassing”

The university ambulance has been out of service since October 2018; meanwhile, the date of its return to operation is highly anticipated by students.