The necessity of obtaining an air ambulance for the Cayman Islands cannot be emphasised any more strongly. It is impractical and out of context for a country developed to this stage not to have these services at its disposal that could save lives in an emergency.

The reality is that the Sister Islands have been faced with medical emergencies on numerous occasions, when patients have had to wait for long hours, in some instances, in excruciating pain, with the likelihood of their condition getting worse before they can be flown out.

This scenario has been the case for far too long; a plane has to be chartered to transport the injured or sick individual to other medical facilities that are better equipped to deal with such injury or illness.

What is equally disturbing about this undesirable situation is that, when a patient requires medical attention at a facility outside of the Cayman Islands, the fees associated with transporting the individual must be paid up front or secured by a credit card. This is often out of the reach of many people.

Needless to say, this should not be the case when someone’s life and wellbeing are hanging in the balance.

If we continue to profess a love for our country and its people, then the acquisition of such an air medical transport should be a priority, and providing the necessary infrastructural facilities should be of paramount importance to the powers that be.