Arima hospital adds to healthcare system

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the newly opened Arima General Hospital brings a much-needed health facility to the East-West corridor. He said the facility delivers on a promise to the people of Arima and environs.

He said it gives access to the Piarco International Airport, should there be any unfortunate incident there, as well as the Sangre Grande Hospital (SGH) and the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) at Mt Hope. He said as the facilities at the Sangre Grande hospital are built out, the EWMSC can achieve its original mandate of being a tertiary facility for advanced treatment of cardiac disease, neuroscience and neurosurgery, with outlying hospitals taking up the brunt of the work for primary and secondary care.

He said the services provided by the Arima hospital include general surgery, orthopedics, burns, opthamology, ENT, and gynaecology. He said non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are not ignored, as there will be state-of-the-art treatment in areas of cardiology, including the management of hypertension, nephrology, endocrinology, metabolic disease, including the treatment and management of diabetes, gastroenterology and obstetrics and maternal health.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the hospital has to be paid for on an ongoing basis from the exchequer and therefore government had to make sure that taxes are not stolen by officeholders, that taxes that are due are collected, and those who earn in TT must pay their fair share. He encouraged those who would use the hospital to appreciate and care for the physical facility and its human component.

Chinese Ambassador Song Yumin congratulated China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited for successfully completing another facility in TT, despite the difficulties presented by covid19. He said the facility was outfitted with unparalleled design, comprehensive functions, and advanced medical equipment.

He said China has been supporting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) fight against covid19. He said President Xi Jinping had announced in May that China would provide US two billion dollars over a two-year period to help with covid19 responses and economic and social development in affected developing countries. He said this provided another opportunity to build TT/China relationship. He said China will continue to further the pragmatic co-operative relationship between TT within the growth framework and put more emphasis on public health-related projects.

NCRHA Chairman Steve De Las said the hospital boasts the latest modern medical diagnostic equipment and imaging technology. It is a fully digital hospital featuring an advanced electronic medical records system secured by an integrated digital security and access management protocol. He said the aesthetics of the hospital positions it to provide one of the best healing experiences for patients, as the design incorporates green spaces with open outdoor areas for exercise and relaxation.