Dec ruling on dialysis centres lawsuit

JUDGEMENT has been reserved until December 6 in the lawsuit against the government by two medical companies over delays since 2010, in setting up two kidney dialysis centres at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

On Friday last, Justice Robin Mohammed concluded hearing a judicial review and constitutional motion filed by the Comprehensive Nephrology Services Ltd (CNSL) and Biomedical Technologies Ltd (BTL).

The case involves the signing of a contract way back in 2010 for the two companies to establish the centres to provide care to kidney patients free of charge.

However, despite allocation of the land, the project since 2010, had not gotten off the ground. The Caribbean Kidney Disease Society contended that government in the public interest, give the necessary approvals for establishing the centres.

Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, instructed by attorney Ronnie Bissessar, submitted on behalf of CNSL and BTL, that government pays approximately $75 million annually to private health care providers to treat dialysis patients.

The prime minister, Ministry of Health and the North-Central Regional Health Authority, were represented by Douglas Mendes SC, Michael Quamina and Charles Law.

Mohammed invited attorneys on both sides to file submissions and fixed 11 am as the time he will deliver his ruling in San Fernando High Court.