– Health Ministry tells stakeholders at meeting
THE National Assembly last week approved the $16.9B budget for the Health Sector paving the way for the Ministry to move forward with its plans to realise the existence of the specialty hospital which will be constructed at Lilendaal. In the 2012 budget, $672M was set aside to commence work on the state-of-the-art institution.
This hospital is intended to allow Guyanese and Caribbean nationals’ access to the best quality tertiary health care at an affordable cost in areas such as cardiology, nephrology, oncology, intensive care services, along with supporting laboratory services, clinical services, training and research.
The institution is being financed through a line of credit with the Government of India through the EXIM Bank. Last year, land preparation for the hospital commenced after Bovel Construction was awarded a $97M contract. This component of the project is not covered in the financial arrangement between the Governments of Guyana and India.
This specialty hospital is the brain-child of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
It was announced that from yesterday, bidders have three weeks to submit their bids for the construction of the specialty hospital. The bidding process will close at 09:00 hrs on May 15.
Thereafter, a maximum of five persons will be selected to conduct an evaluation to ascertain the best ranked bidder. Following that process, a recommendation will be relayed to the tender board which will then make a decision that will be sent to the Cabinet and the Exim Bank for their no-objection. When this is successfully done the contract will be awarded to the winner of the bid. It is anticipated that a contractor will be selected before the year ends.
The announcement was made by Mr. Tarachand Balgobin, an officer attached to the National Procurement and Tender Board-Ministry of Finance during a stakeholder meeting at the Ministry of Health’s boardroom.
The stakeholders hailed from the Ministries of Health, Finance, Housing and Water, Public Works, Foreign Affairs, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), the Mayor and City Council, contractors and engineers gathered at the Health Ministry to discuss the way forward, now that the way is clear for work to commence. Additionally, also in attendance were representatives from two Indian entities namely the Surendra Engineering Corporation Ltd and Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran recalled that Guyana has done a lot with regards to the continuous development of health facilities. He alluded to the construction of the National Stadium which has been a notable success and, it is hoped that upon completion, the specialty hospital will also be a success.
Dr. Ramsaran stated that Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, have similar institutions. As such, Guyana has to catch up. He was referring to the scope of medical tourism since in many developed countries health care is expensive and some people are un-insured.
He explained that the new facility will have to prove its worth before it is certified internationally. However, for this to happen the contractor must deliver a product that is up to standard so that when the medical team takes over it will be able to function effectively.
The stakeholders were engaged in a presentation which outlined the requested specifications for the facility which include a viewing gallery over the surgery theatre to allow students to view surgery procedures, garbage disposal, capturing and storage of water, a chapel, and counselling rooms. The stakeholders also visited the proposed site at Liliendaal.
This new facility, as part of the public health system, will allow Guyanese to access the best quality tertiary health care at an affordable cost thereby reducing the number of people who travel overseas to receive medical attention, which can be expensive.
It is anticipated that the construction of this state-of-the-art facility will result in a quantum leap, with regards to health care delivery, education and research.