A FRAMEWORK agreement for the provision of a concessional loan of approximately TT$900 million was yesterday signed between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for construction of the Children’s Hospital in Preysal, Couva. At the signing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tower C, International Waterfront Complex, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said, “What this does is it paves the way for the acceleration of construction of the children’s hospital of Couva.” The hospital is expected to cost around US$150 million and will include a burn unit, children and adult casualty clinic, a helipad and would be able to accommodate 215 beds. “The priority health care facility will be outfitted with state-of-the-art medical equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of the nation’s most precious resource — our children,” said Moonilal. Chinese Ambassador, Yang Youming, said the Chinese government agreed to provide the government loan as a gesture of good will to further develop diplomatic relations, and economic and technical cooperation between the countries.
“I do hope that this government loan will help to improve the health system in Trinidad and Tobago, benefiting the people of TT and the children in particular,” he said
Moonilal told Newsday his Government had been working on the hospital for about 18 months, and had contributed at least TT$100 million towards the project. He also expected the hospital to attract patients from the Caribbean and Latin America.
Moonilal said the Children’s Hospital represented part of Government’s hospital physical infrastructural development strategy. He noted that Government also intended to construct new hospitals in Point Fortin and Central Trinidad as well as development works on hospitals in Port-of-Spain, Sangre Grande and San Fernando.
