Local businessman donates ambulance to JvD
This ambulance, donated by Lesmore Smith and Top Priority Security Services, will significantly enhance emergency healthcare services in the area
Great day for people of Jost van Dyke
At the official commissioning and handover ceremony on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), described the day as a momentous occasion for the people of Jost van Dyke.
‘’Today is a great day for the people of Jost van Dyke. Today is a great day, and it shows the power of the private and public partnership. When the government and the private sector come together, some fantastic things can happen. This today is an excellent example.’’ he stated.
He emphasised the importance of this partnership for the community, saying,’’ The people of Jost van Dyke have been crying out for an ambulance for as long as I can remember. And it's a long time. And today, your cries have been heard. Your cries have been heard in a loud way, and the response is magnificent.’’
Significant step towards transforming healthcare
The Minister highlighted that this initiative is a step toward achieving the goals of developing and transforming healthcare quality in the Virgin Islands.
‘’This is about one step in what we are trying to do, at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, we are going through an incredible transformation in health care,’’ he added.
Hon Wheatley called for more partnerships to meet the Ministry’s objectives, stating, ''When you're going through a transformation, it's not easy, and you can't do it alone. Particularly when you have financial constraints. It's only through partnerships like this here today, I can't say it enough. It's only through partnerships like this that we are going to get through. The public sector, the private sector working together," the minister stated.
A step in the right direction
Honourable Melvin A. Turnbull, the 2nd District Representative who was present at the ceremony, expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of himself and the people of the Second District, particularly the Jost van Dyke community.
''I have been talking about this ambulance and healthcare services for Jost van Dyke for a long time, 10 years to be exact. I've been lamenting on it, so I'm grateful on behalf of the people of Jost van Dyke for this to be realised.''
He concluded by stating, ‘’This is a step in the right direction.’’
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29 Responses to “ Local businessman donates ambulance to JvD”
Just what we need right now.
Well done everyone involved.
But we got politicians doubling them pay raise
Look at this. Smh
What they mean is the more that business pay for what Government should be paying for the more money there is for Ministers pay rises, more Ministers and another layer of Government for the second House.
We will soon have to get people on Work Permits to fill all these Ministerial positions.
Now, it’s a damn shame a civilian has to do something our government should be doing with our hard earned tax money