All Saints East and St. Luke candidate Lamin Newton has pledged to deliver a new clinic for Old Road and secure an ambulance for the All Saints area within his first year in office, making healthcare one of the central pillars of his campaign in All Saints East and St Luke.
Speaking during an interview on ABS Television’s “Know Your Candidates” programme, Newton outlined a series of time-bound commitments aimed at improving access to medical services, particularly for elderly residents and underserved communities.
“Old Road will receive a brand new clinic,” Newton said. “I make that solemn promise here today on national TV.”
The ABLP candidate said the project would be supported through a combination of public funding and private donor contributions, adding that key groundwork has already been completed.
“The drawings and so on for this new facility would have been completed. It’s just a matter of finding the most suitable location,” he said.
Newton said discussions with donors and stakeholders have given him confidence that the project can be delivered within the one-year timeline, despite competing demands across the country’s 17 constituencies.
“What gives me the confidence is that these are conversations that I would have had already, and I would have received the commitments,” he said.
Beyond Old Road, Newton also outlined plans to upgrade existing healthcare facilities in the constituency. Work is already underway at the Sweets clinic, where renovations and the installation of new air conditioning units are expected to improve conditions for both patients and staff.
He also pointed to the reopening and rehabilitation of the John Hughes clinic, which he said had been a major concern raised repeatedly by residents.
“That was the number one issue… every home that I went to, they want back the clinic in John Hughes,” Newton said.
In addition to infrastructure, Newton committed to improving emergency response services by securing an ambulance for the All Saints area. He said the vehicle would serve multiple surrounding communities, including Liberta, English Harbour, Sweets and John Hughes.
“I will not stop until I get the ambulance donated,” he said, noting that overseas donors have already indicated their willingness to provide support.
Newton argued that the addition of an ambulance would complement existing emergency services in the area, including police and fire units, creating a more complete response network.
The healthcare proposals form part of a broader campaign platform that includes road rehabilitation, housing development and education support. However, Newton acknowledged that delivering on his promises would ultimately depend on access to resources and sustained political will.
His commitments are likely to face scrutiny from voters wary of election-period pledges, particularly in a constituency where infrastructure and public services have long been key concerns.
Still, Newton insisted that his proposals are grounded in preparation rather than rhetoric.
“These aren’t just election promises,” he said. “These are promises that we will deliver.”