China to fund new hospital in T&T

(Trinidad Express) The Borough of Arima is to benefit from Trinidad and Tobago’s relations with the People’s Republic of China.

After almost four decades without a proper functioning hospital Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has signalled her Government’s intention, with the help of the Chinese government, to at long last provide a hospital for the people of Arima.

During a media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said her discussions with the visiting President of the Republic of China Xi Jinping, also focused on health issues.

“Our conversations included a number of health care projects including the construction of a Children’s Hospital in Couva, a hospital in Arima and China’s agreement to provide 100 health care professionals to the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago.”

She said, both leaders understand the value of technical co-operation and discussed how this country might continue to benefit from technical co-operation ventures with China.

Some of the key areas identified for technical co-operation, the Prime Minister said, were, infrastructural development, agriculture and food security, education, sport, information and communication technology and national security.

Xi said he hopes both countries will strengthen communication and collaboration with each other on issues such as reform of international systems and  climate change.

Earlier yesterday the Chinese President paid a courtesy call on President Anthony Carmona and his wife Reema at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.

He also met with President of the Senate Timothy Hamel-Smith and Speaker of the House Wade Mark at the Parliament Building, International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.