Decision this week on Women’s Hospital

Health Minister John Rahael yesterday said his Ministry will decide this week whether to relocate the Women’s Hospital at Mt Hope or refurbish the facility. Last Monday, vice-president of Health Services Cynthia Carrington-Murray, along with other officials of the North West Regional Health Authority, made a presentation at the Health Ministry on these two options and provided the costing to the Minister. Rahael told the media yesterday that further discussion will take place today before a decision is made. He disclosed that moving the hospital to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences (EWMSC) will be “a little more costly.” While a decision is yet to be made, he admitted that there is a “tendency” to relocate the facility. Although he did not disclose the cost, he said both options will cost millions. “The cost is not that much different,” he said.

Rahael said officials have expressed the view that relocating will enable “much more” service to be provided than what is currently available at the existing location. A report submitted by the Pan American Health Organisation last December has recommended that the Ministry decide whether to refurbish the hospital or close it down. PAHO said the decision must be based on proper technical analysis. PAHO said if the Women’s Hospital is relocated then the new facilities must be much better than what exists. Former Health Minister Colm Imbert asked PAHO to look at all neonatal facilities in TT following an outbreak of enterobacter bacteria last September at the neonatal unit at Mt Hope.