Scarborough Hospital ‘frustrating’

Commenting on the recent pullout of NH International Caribbean Ltd (NHIC) from the project, the Chief Secretary said he was not going to describe that event in either positive or negative terms.

However, he was optimistic that "the alternative (process or company)" that would be employed would assist in the project’s successful completion. London said the project has been "frustrating" from inception for a variety of reasons. He said one of the main sources of frustration has been the fact that despite being the client, the THA and central Government cannot intervene directly in the project, which is funded by the World Bank. London said this meant entities such as the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nip-dec) were responsible to ensure the project is successfully completed.

The Chief Secretary said he remained concerned about the level of unpredictability associated with the project and the relevant agencies needed to provide the THA and central Government with certain specifics about the project. These include cost, timeframe for completion and what benefits the hospital will bring for the people of Tobago.

London said he has been speaking with Health Minister John Rahael about the project. Given the current advances in global medical technology, the Chief Secretary did not rule out the possibility of the new Scarborough Regional Hospital performing functions similar to those currently undertaken at (or proposed for) the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC).

Rahael yesterday launched a new collaboration at the EWMSC between Government and US health care conglomerate Baxter International. Baxter’s primary focus is the assistance of health care professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical, conditions including kidney disease. Health Ministry officials said this initiative is phase two of its plans to make peritoneal dialysis (PD) more available to the population.

Baxter is known for its expertise in this particular area of medical treatment and is regarded as "the world’s leading provider of products for PD, a self-administered home-based treatment for kidney disease, and also provides products for haemodialysis (HD), a procedure that takes place at a hospital or clinic." Baxter also "leads the way in the development of renal products and services for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease or irreversible kidney failure." Cabinet recently agreed to the establishment of a special unit to guide the National Organ Donor Programme and tenders have been issued for the construction of dialysis centres in North and South Trinidad.