Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran says the new in-patient facility in the Georgetown Hospital compound is 85% complete and the first floor is expected to be handed over to the administration by early April.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Ramsaran and a team inspected ongoing works at the hospital during a tour on Tuesday. During the visit the contractor said that work, including the painting of the roof, installation of fixtures and electrical fittings, rehabilitation of ramps and cleaning are some of the remaining tasks to be completed prior to the first floor being handed over.
In this regard, Chairman of the Health Sector Development Unit Keith Burrowes urged the contractor to focus efforts on the first floor so as to fast-track its completion.
Ramsaran said the ministry is working closely with the contractor to accelerate the completion of the facility and work is being done at night under floodlights to facilitate this.
He also noted that completion of the new wing would offer significant relief to both patients and staff in the receipt and delivery of services which are currently being done in cramped conditions.
On completion of the first floor 114 beds will be moved into the new wing, subsequent to that another 100 beds will be moved into the facility.
GINA said $716M was allocated in the 2010 national budget to start the first phase of the facility. An additional $235M was allocated in this year’s budget for its completion.
