Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week is being celebrated from May 21st to 27th under the theme: “Where Emergency care Begins”. This year’s commemoration marks the 49th year of celebrations, which highlights the EMS profession, its dedicated workers, and the important role they play to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of all people.

The week’s celebrations began with a church service at the Reformation Fellowship Church on Sunday May 21st. On Tuesday May 23rd, the EMS deployed a number of on-call ambulance teams who visited several schools in St. Kitts, to educate the students on the EMS’s function in the community and how it aids the sick and injured.

The second phase of school visits convened on Thursday May 25th, at the Verchilds High School, Cayon High School and the Immaculate Conception Catholic School. The week of celebrations will conclude on Sunday, May 28th. Additionally, Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Dr. Terrance Drew, lauded the EMS professionals for their service to the nation.

The Ministry of Health conducted a basic training course in Emergency care in February of this year to emphasize the significant role of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). A second phase of training takes place on Tuesday May 30th and will conclude in July. This next step by the Ministry of Health in providing first grade health care in Saint Kitts and Nevis will upgrade the basic and intermediate level EMTs to trained Paramedics