Deyalsingh: TT needs Central Block more now than ever

HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said TT will need the new Central Block at the Port of Spain General Hospital more than ever before, as a result of the covid19 pandemic. At the virtual health press conference on Tuesday, Deyalsingh reminded that not all construction in TT was stopped because of covid19.

"We said all hospital construction will go on."

Against that background, Deyalsingh said construction of the new Central Block "never stopped" and remains a priority.

He added, "I think post covid you will need Central Block more now than you needed it before."

The decision to construct a new Central Block was taken after TT experienced the effects of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in August 2018. The construction of the new facility is approximately $1.1 billion, and it will have space for 540 beds. The Central Block will also have, among other amenities, ten new operating theatres, ten new intensive care unit beds, a coronary care unit, children’s intensive care unit, an internal medicine unit, psychology and psychiatry units, urology, radiology, neurological, orthopaedic and general surgery departments. The Shanghai Construction Group won the bid for the project last May.

Deyalsingh added the only other construction project taking place is the new Curepe Interchange which is a national project.