Tell all on Interhealth Canada deal

THE Dr Keith Rowley-led administration must give full disclosure on its arrangements with Interhealth Canada to run the Children’s Hospital in Couva, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar demanded yesterday.

Persad-Bissessar made the comments last evening alleging the Canadian health care provider had been accused of fraud but gave no details, saying a Google search would show such reports. Sunday Newsday was unable to verify this through an online search.

Persad-Bissessar said she had learnt more about the deal having received a Cabinet note and Cabinet minutes dated April 11 and 12 respectively, from someone.

“Before the Government concludes any deal, they have to do some assessments. The Cabinet note said the cost is US$141,000. That money is to be paid by the operators of the hospital,” Persad-Bissessar said. “How did they get Interhealth Canada? How did they discover these people? What was the tender process of spending and proposing to spend money belonging to the people of Trinidad and Tobago?”

She was speaking at an interfaith service at the Couva South Multi-Purpose Hall to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the United National Congress (UNC).

On Thursday at the post -Cabinet news conference, Rowley announced that the hospital is to become a teaching hospital run by the University of the West Indies (UWI). It is also expected to house an offshore medical school.

UWI together with the State and Interhealth Canada would operate the facility, he said. Persad-Bissessar yesterday called for answers about the deal saying that UWI is a regional institution. She claimed Government plans to change the name to Couva Medical and Multi-training Facility.

“The majority of the shares would be owned by the Government and the minority by UWI. What shares of the company are you going to give to UWI? Will the services be free to the public? Will the operator employ local doctors and nurses?”

She told supporters that Government is moving the hospital from being under the purview of the Health Ministry. Instead, she said, Government wants to set up a special purpose company to oversee the operations of the facility.

“I did not know what name they would call that company. There is a big plaque in front of the hospital with my name and the president of China on it. By changing the name (of the hospital) now, they are going to say they have changed the names (on the plaque),” Persad-Bissessar said.

“They could do all that, but we (the UNC) will take the credit.”

She accused Government of being spiteful by keeping the facility non-functional. This, she said, is because the facility was constructed under her watch as prime minister.