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Government Playing Politics With Couva Children’s Hospital
Posted On 28 Sep 2017
It is a complete shame and disgrace to hear Minister Deyalsingh say while the Ministry had started the process for staffing the Point Fortin and Arima Hospitals, government was yet to make a decision on how the Children’s Hospital in Couva will be integrated into the public health system.
In July, Prime Minister Keith Rowley speaking on the closure of the main block of the Port of Spain General Hospital for renovations stated, “…you would have heard the Government say recently that the Cabinet has taken a decision that that block is to be demolished and to be replaced by a new building, but in the interim the health system would lose access to 400 beds and therefore the new hospital in Couva would have to be factored in to how we treat with that development which we must address as a matter of urgency.” Rowley added that a statement on the progress made toward the opening of the hospital should be expected soon which could see the Couva hospital being utilised as part of the wider health infrastructure.
Why is there so much conflicting information spewing out of the mouths of the Health Minister and PM with regards to the Couva Children’s Hospital?
The nation is very much aware that the Couva Children’s Hospital is ready to be opened for business. The nation is aware that there is a plan on paper sitting in the Ministry of Health for operationalising and funding of the hospital and all the Minister has to do is implement this plan.
To purport to the public about the openings of Point Fortin Hospital where only 40% has been completed and the Arima Hospital which is also under construction is a blatant slap in the face to the taxpayer as the Couva Children’s Hospital is begging to be opened to serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
MP Ramdial is therefore calling on Prime Minister Keith Rowley and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to open the Couva Children’s Hospital now and to stop playing politics with the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
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