JHTA sounds alarm on inadequate emergency services in Negril

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is calling for an urgent overhaul of Negril’s emergency response system, citing persistent ambulance shortages that may have contributed to recent loss of life.

Three people were killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle crash along Norman Manley Boulevard in Hanover on Tuesday.

In a strongly worded statement released Thursday, new JHTA President, Christopher Jarrett, questioned whether a single functioning ambulance could effectively serve the busy corridor stretching from Sheffield to Green Island.

Jarrett’s concerns come amid growing frustration over slow response times and ongoing emergency vehicle failures in the western resort town, which now accounts for approximately 25 per cent of all tourist arrivals to Jamaica.

“Negril’s emergency response capacity has not kept pace with its rapid growth,” Jarrett warned, noting increased traffic volumes due to tourism, commercial deliveries, and daily staff commutes. “This isn’t a rhetorical question. It’s a life-and-death one.”

According to the JHTA, Negril currently has access to only two ambulances, one stationed in Savanna-la-Mar and another in Sheffield. However, both units have been involved in major accidents within the past two years, raising what Jarrett describes as “urgent questions” about the certification of drivers, accountability measures, and the speed at which vehicles are repaired or replaced.

Jarrett acknowledged past investments by the Government of Jamaica and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), including the procurement of ambulances and a $7.6 million renovation of the Negril Fire Station. However, he said one-off initiatives are not enough to sustain the level of emergency care required by a town that plays a vital role in Jamaica’s tourism economy.

“We are grateful for what has been done, but a one-time investment does not replace the need for a comprehensive, ongoing support system,” he said.

Jarrett called on the Government to conduct a full review of Negril’s emergency medical infrastructure.

He outlined a list of recommendations, including, the deployment of a fully staffed and certified team of emergency vehicle operators and a robust maintenance and repair programme to ensure ambulances remain in service.

In addition to traffic interventions, such as speed bumps and traffic lights, along high-risk corridors from Negril to Sandy Bay and stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Health, Jamaica Fire Brigade, TEF, and local authorities.

The JHTA also echoed sentiments previously expressed by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, who has consistently underscored that safety is a critical pillar of destination confidence.

“Without dependable emergency services, we risk not only the health and lives of our people but Jamaica’s reputation globally,” Jarrett added. “The tourism industry is one of our country’s greatest assets, and so are the people who power it. They deserve better.”

The association says it is ready to work alongside government stakeholders to ensure that the infrastructure in Negril reflects its significance to the national economy.

“Let us act now, before another emergency goes unanswered,” Jarrett urged.

- Janet Silvera

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.