-President Ali announces, says contract will be out for tender next week

COME next week, persons will be invited to tender for the contract to build a new state-of-the-art Hospital to replace the existing West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara), President Dr, Irfaan Ali has announced.

The Head of State made the revelation during his address at the commissioning of the new Zeelught Primary School on Friday.

“We know that the West Demerara Hospital has now outgrown its time. It has outgrown what it was built for, it does not meet the modern, efficient, reliable needs of the citizens of Region Three. That is why, next week, we’ll be launching a new tender for a new state-of-the-art hospital at West Demerara.

“This region is growing rapidly, economically, financially, population, housing, if you look at the totality of investment in this region is just enormous,” he added.

While a new facility will be constructed, Dr. Ali pointed that the government has made significant strides to improve the services at the existing regional hospital.

According to statistics provided by the Head of State, in the first four months of 2024, the hospital conducted some 585 surgeries.

He said this is a massive achievement compared to the year 2021 when the hospital only had the capacity to conduct just about 16 surgery during the same time frame.

He pointed out too that referrals from the West Demerara Regional Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital (the country’s main referral health facility) declined by 100 per cent.

Recently, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had outlined the government’s master plan to transform the health sector. He stated that 12 new facilities are being constructed, while some existing ones are being rehabilitated.

The Vice-President stated that the initiative was an integral component of the government’s manifesto plans, whereby the proceeds from oil and gas will be utilised for the advancement of infrastructure, healthcare, education, support for vulnerable groups, and other sectors.

Out of the 12 upcoming hospitals, six of them will be replacement facilities.

A new hospital is being constructed by the government in Region Six, specifically at No. 75 Village. The objective of this project is to replace the existing Skeldon Hospital and enhance the range of services available to the community.

Additionally, the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Diamond and Enmore, Region Four and Bath, Region Five, and Skeldon Region Six, is in progress.