THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two on Monday signed a contract for the construction of an operating theatre at the Suddie Public Hospital.

During the symbolic signing of the contract, Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson said that the construction of the operating theatre will significantly boost health services in Region Two. The construction will ease residents the burden of travelling outside of Region Two to conduct surgeries. Hopkinson said the theatre will also assist those communities and islands that are nearby the Pomeroon-Supenaam with health services. Hopkinson signed on behalf of the Region Two RDC while Rakesh Samaroo signed on behalf of the contracting company Builders Hardware.

The signing was witnessed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit, Secretary to the Regional Tender Board, Ms. Kuntie Nankoo, EPMA Ms. Portia Jacobs, Systems Development Officer, Mr. Farouk Basir, member of the Anna Regina Town Council, Mr. Mark McLean, Regional Health officer, Dr. Afarah Khan and Suddie Hospital Administrator, Mrs. Ambrose.

Speaking to key stakeholders, Ferguson called on the contractor to use local persons during the project in an effort to create employment. She said that the government was happy to announce such beneficial project for the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region. Regional Health Officer, Dr. Afarah Khan also expressed her satisfaction for the project. Dr. Khan said that currently, persons had to be transferred from the region to conduct operations at the Georgetown Public Hospital. She also pledged the support from staff from the Suddie Public Hospital whenever construction commences. The contact was awarded at a cost of $40.9 million and will take approximately four months to complete. The theatre will be constructed in the compound of the hospital and the project will be executed by Builders Hardware and General Supplies. The awarding of the contract was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday during his post-cabinet media briefing.