Orville: More issues than hospital

THA Chief Secretary Orville London, has pointed out that there are areas other than the cost of construction of the new Tobago hospital that need to be focused upon. London and THA Secretary for Health and Social Services, Aldington Spencer are scheduled to meet with Minister of Health John Rahael today to discuss a number of “contentious and non-contentious” issues, chief among them being the new Tobago hospital. The hospital came under heavy public scrutiny recently following word of a $59 million cost overrun and rumours that NIPDEC had been fired as project manager on the heels of certain allegations with respect to structural works.

London has however pointed out that as the hospital gets closer to completion and becomes more operational, there were other areas that would become significantly more important such as “the whole question of procurement and the kind of equipment, materials and supplies you put in the place.” He highlighted the fact that when the hospital had been designed approximately eight years ago, it was done with an analog system in mind which will now have to be re-evaluated to be on par with modern technology.

“You’ve got to ensure that it is a hospital that will be able to take advantage of all the technological developments in recent times and a hospital that would not be out of date within the next ten years.” London said. London had recently said that there were several issues still plaguing the project that will require design changes which will add to the cost. London had acknowledged that the cost overrun would ultimately be substantial but was unable to give a figure in that regard. Then, the consultants had indicated that the project was 60 percent completed and could be completed within 12 months.