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kstt wrote:https://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/two-new-ferries-coming/article_da2a455a-8e8d-11e8-9931-d7726a49b2c2.html
De Dragon wrote:Yet almost 3 years later, it is still "not operational?" Whose fault is that? The PNM grudgingly talked some sheit about public/private partnership for running of the hospital, so whatever issues are not insurmountable it seems. It can't be money, because sod was turned for hospitals in Arima and Pt. Fortin. Then again, the same $1B was spent on a non-ICC accredited stadium, which took 12 years to build, so the priorities for this PNM Government are crystal clear.
Hoss, my comment was a direct response to le Honorables comment above, eh. So, the fact that you had to reach back to the Manning administration to find ammo says it all. That would be like me blaming Kams for sins under the Panday era UNC.... which is something that wouldn't be fair? But cool. Like I said, I'm just trying to be fair here. Where Rows deserves licks and criticism, I'm for it. I'm just not willing to join the demonizers, haters, nitpickers and hysterics, because "they eh like" Rowley and/or have tribal inclinations. I just cyar do it. shogun wrote:De Dragon wrote:Yet almost 3 years later, it is still "not operational?" Whose fault is that? The PNM grudgingly talked some sheit about public/private partnership for running of the hospital, so whatever issues are not insurmountable it seems. It can't be money, because sod was turned for hospitals in Arima and Pt. Fortin. Then again, the same $1B was spent on a non-ICC accredited stadium, which took 12 years to build, so the priorities for this PNM Government are crystal clear.
What madness I reading here this hour?
3 years? You sure? Structural engineers in late 2016 advised the government that the main block of the POSGH (housing 400 beds) was structurally unsound and unsafe, which made them reconsider the purpose of the Couva hospital. The Prime minister then held a meeting with the Opposition leader on the issue of the opening of the hospital as a matter requiring urgent attention. A committee was set up chaired by the former Permanent Secretary to evaluate proposals on the management of the facility. The cabinet still hadn't received a full report until late 2017. So, what would you have had them do? It's still better than rushing to hoodwink gullible voters with a Billion dollar pappy show by pretending you have a fully functioning facility during an election run up?
They were attempting to garner private sector help but the response was underwhelming. They're even asking the Indian government for help.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-04- ... a-hospital
guardian wrote: Rowley: Couva Hospital coming on stream soon
Patients must pay for services
Radhica Sookraj
Published:
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
If no suitable operator is found for the Couva Hospital by the end of this month, it will be incorporated into T&T’s national health care system as the country’s first paying health care institution, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley told members of the T&T Diaspora yesterday.
Addressing nationals on his last day in London following the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Rowley said T&T was embarking on a new thrust in health tourism.
Rowley said the Couva Hospital will offer state-of-the art health care once it is opened and unlike other national health institutions - it will charge a fee to patients.
“We are trying to enter the area of health and health tourism. Suffice to say, I have given Parliament the assurance that we have until the end of this month to get Requests For Proposals for the Couva Hospital and if we do not get a suitable operator we will give that hospital into the national health care system,” Rowley said during the event, which was streamed live from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Facebook page.
The hospital, which was one of the People’s Partnership’s flagship projects, was promoted by the former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the avenue to boost health tourism in T&T.
Saying his Government was committed to boosting health tourism yesterday, Rowley said, “We are in the process of creating a new model of health care. In support of what we have now, we will also be offering cutting edge technology for the people of T&T and elsewhere to access the services at the Couva Hospital for a fee of course.”
He told the audience they too could give back to their homeland by providing services to the hospital.
Last Friday, Rowley invited India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer opportunities to health care professionals to contribute to training at the Couva Hospital by teaching traditional Indian medicine, which is over 3,000 years old. Modi pledged to offer assistance in the areas of information communication technology (ICT), energy and pharmaceuticals. Rowley also offered opportunities to India in the areas of tourism, health care and agriculture. He also requested aviation training for local helicopter pilots as well as direct air transport.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said: “Our investment into health care was premised on using the health care sector for health tourism and as a serious revenue generating sector for foreign exchange. This is why we expanded the San Fernando Teaching Hospital and completed the Couva Hospital. What Dr Rowley speaks about is nothing new as we have been talking about this for three years now, while the hospital is overrun with carailli vine and there are snakes, scorpions and centipedes inside,” Moonilal said, adding they were getting information the SFTH and Couva Hospital were being stripped of equipment and furniture.
He also called on Rowley to say whether they are in discussions with the Canadian government to lease the Couva Hospital to the discredited SNC Lavalin, a Canadian firm embroiled in corruption, bid rigging and bribery allegations. The United National Congress had cut ties with SNC Lavalin in 2013 after the T&T Guardian exclusively broke the story involving the tainted company and its ties to the UNC in the proposed construction of the Penal hospital and rehabilitation centre.
New BMW for THA Chief Secretary
Kinnesha George 2 Hrs Ago
Asked about his brand-new BMW Li740, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles replied: “Act 40 of 1996. Tell me what that act says and then we’ll have a conversation again. Have a conversation with the Chief Admin. No comment.”
During Wednesday’s weekly post-Executive Council media briefing, reporters attempted to get more information, but his responses were very vague.
A press release from his office on Thursday, said the car was bought for $777,817.33 to replace the previous one, which was more than six years old, having been acquired in 2012.
“The THA made the decision to replace the Chief Secretary’s official vehicle after considering its age, continued maintenance issues, and the security requirements for the Chief Secretary,” the release read.
It added that the purchase is in keeping with Section 16 of the THA Act 40 of 1996.
“The salary, allowances and other conditions of service of the Chief Secretary shall be equal to that of a Minister, except that the State shall provide the Chief Secretary with the following: (a) an official residence in lieu of a housing allowance; (b) an official car in lieu of a travelling allowance; (c) appropriate security services.”
Chief Administrator Raye Sandy said replacing the car was an administrative decision.
“We considered the age of the previous (Chief Secretary’s) vehicle, and the maintenance needs of a vehicle of that age,” Sandy said.
Sandy said the THA considered a number of options and made a selection after seeking advice on the security requirements for the Chief Secretary and other pertinent issues.
“I must also highlight the distinction between the vehicles for official use by the Chief Secretary, and the vehicles that serve the Office of the Chief Secretary.
“In keeping with those security requirements, two vehicles are assigned to the Chief Secretary. The vehicle that has been replaced has since been added to the Office of the Chief Secretary’s fleet of vehicles,” Sandy said.
Commenting on the issue, Minority Leader Watson Duke told Newsday that the Chief Secretary “is devoid of understanding when it comes to good governance.”
He said he could not understand “what one man is doing with three vehicles assigned to him. It is not like they are trying to sell one and it cannot be sold, or like they are trying to sell two and it cannot be sold – no, all three. I have no problem with that…but at least be a man, be a good Chief Secretary and give a good explanation as to why and how you intend to use them. Don’t just brush the question aside or operate like the question does not operate in the minds of the public,” he said.
Minority Councillor Dr Faith BYisrael called on the Chief Secretary and Prime Minister to take their own advice, saying the Office of the Chief Secretary, like the Prime Minister, has been repeating to the nation the need to tighten belts.
“It is therefore suspicious that the Office of the Chief Secretary would then purchase a vehicle worth over $700,000, when there are other, cheaper options available, and when there are several THA members of staff who have not received salaries; who are still being owed their gratuity; when there are projects that cannot proceed because there is no building material; when there are schools using portable toilets because the THA does not have the money,” she said.
BYisrael described the Chief Secretary as arrogant, adding that “he proves that he is not accountable to the people who elected him.
“What is also frustrating,” she added, “is the Chief Secretary’s response when questioned about the purchase.
“He seemed to be chastising members of the media when they asked, again showing that he does now believe that he is accountable to the citizens who elected him.
“His response of ‘no comment,’ and, when pressed, referring all questions to the Chief Administrator ,shows a level of arrogance that is unbecoming of a leader, particularly a leader in these economic times.”
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