WILLEMSTAD — Curaçao Emergency Services (Cems) had five ambulances at its disposal again this week. Cems hopes to have a total of six by mid next week – which is one less than the seven that the company theoretically needs to operate on Curaçao.
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After all four operational ambulances had been declared unfit on Friday three of them had been inspected again around ten PM. The fourth had become operational yesterday and the fifth is expected to be ready tomorrow.
"We have been working with six ambulances for quite a while now", said director Sharlon Melfor. The seventh is technically not worth keeping operational. Even though we guarantee the ambulance service with six vehicles, we are not out of the danger zone yet as we still are working with vehicles that have been written off. We should purchase new ambulances as quick as possible."
However, the purchase is not running smoothly. A request through the Board of Governors for Usona-financing for new ambulances had gone wrong.
"The Board of Governors had later informed us that it would approach the land government for possible funds for the new ambulances", Melfor explains.
"Proactively, we have meanwhile approached local commercial companies for donations in order to purchase the new ambulances. If we stick to the current Ford brand and model, a new ambulance complying with all local technical and care requirements would amount to 250,000 guilders each. The local private sector is favorably disposed," said Melfor. He does not wish to elaborate on details regarding which companies had made promises or are considering such and which amounts.
Salaries secured
All salaries have been secured with the Cems up to and including December. The co-workers have not worn their black action-T-shirts since the consultation with trade union Abvo.
"Our relation with the Girobank is favorable again and we have attention for other institutes with whom we are dealing. Even though we have financially arranged everything for the rest of this year and expecting government funds as of 2010, we still hope to make agreements with the government on structural solutions soon as well as new agreements, as recommended by the Soab" according to Melfor.
Clarity is also required on the matter whether to subsume the Cems under the Public Health (GGD).
All salaries have been secured with the Cems up to and including December. The co-workers have not worn their black action-T-shirts since the consultation with trade union Abvo."Our relation with the Girobank is favorable again and we have attention for other institutes with whom we are dealing. Even though we have financially arranged everything for the rest of this year and expecting government funds as of 2010, we still hope to make agreements with the government on structural solutions soon as well as new agreements, as recommended by the Soab" according to Melfor.Clarity is also required on the matter whether to subsume the Cems under the Public Health (GGD).
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