Nova Scotia offers ambulance expertise to Panama

Nova Scotia's world-class ambulance system has attracted the attention of the government of Panama. A memorandum of understanding was signed Tuesday, Oct. 23, by the government of Nova Scotia, Tri-Star Industries Limited in Yarmouth, Dr. Ron Stewart (an expert in pre-hospital emergency care and architect of the Nova Scotia system) and Club Activo 20-30 De Panama on behalf of the government of Panama. This will allow Nova Scotia to share combined expertise in ambulance systems with the Central American country.

"It is understandable that other countries would look to Nova Scotia for advice," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont. "Our ambulance system is recognized as one of the best in North America. Panama wants to know how we were able to move from a fragmented private system just 10 years ago, to the world-class ambulance system we have today."

The agreement is to discuss and develop opportunities for an ambulance service in Panama. It does not involve a financial commitment from the provincial government.

"Together, we have a lot to offer Panama in terms of shared knowledge and expertise related to the development of an excellent ambulance service," said Keith Condon, president and CEO of Tri-Star Industries. "For our part, our staff in Yarmouth are experts in the production of world-class ambulances used here in Nova Scotia and in 39 other countries."

Tri-Star Industries invited the government of Panama to Nova Scotia to see the ambulance system and the Tri-Star factory earlier this year. Panama signed a contract for 22 ambulances, the foundation of the country's new system. While the role of the Health Department is mainly regulatory, the partners involved bring expertise in paramedic training, system design, ambulance production and other areas of interest to Panama as they build an ambulance system.

Panama is a Central American country bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. – Yarmouth Vanguard