The long-delayed Central Block, Port of Spain General Hospital Campus is still months away from welcoming patients ; but two Cabinet Ministers toured the site today to assess its progress.
Jearlean John, Minister of Works and Infrastructure and line minister for UDeCOTT, and Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health, walked through the facility as they sought answers on construction delays and the impact on the public health system.
00:00The ministers were given an on-site update on construction works at the central block of the Port-O-Spain General Hospital campus, which has been plagued by delays and shifting timelines.
00:10We are not irresponsible. We can't be responsible. These facilities are built by good taxpayers' money. So wherever they are, we welcome them because the people of Trinidad-Bago need them and deserve them. They deserve the best medical care.
00:26Minister John said tours like this are unusual before facilities are commissioned, but necessary to ensure problems are solved before opening.
00:36When you accept practical completion, you trigger the warranties and guarantees. So in fact, you are within the defect liability period.
00:45So why are you not accepted? You accept the practical completion without triggering the defect liability period? Is that Hollywood production?
00:53Because once you accept practical completion, you trigger the warranties. You want to see when rain falls, if the roof will leak.
01:00You understand? You're looking to see when you put it on the pipe like I did just now, whether water will come out.
01:05She stressed the project remains an active construction site and challenged claims that it was 90% complete.
01:12I'm being told it's 90% complete, but I've done these things over the course of my career. I wouldn't say it's 90% complete. I wish it was.
01:22I would allow Udikot to correct their information and to really say what percentage is complete, but we will not unreasonably delay the opening of this hospital. We can't because the people need it.
01:36The central block was stored in March 2025 under the then Rowley administration and was expected to open in July 2025.
01:44Udikot's chairman Shankar Bidezi sought to explain.
01:48So the media was prevented from going on the other floors. They were only directed to floor 5 and that floor is a mark-up board.
01:57So that was the problem back in the year. So that people had this impression that the hospital was complete.
02:01Mr. Bidezi says equipment is expected to arrive by March 2026 with completion projected later that year.
02:10Yeah, I've been torn off facilities and mapping. I mean, I've been, I wouldn't say we didn't rewrite that, but I have been very stern with contractors and the main contractor to work assiduously to get this project up.
02:22Not the complete project that is.
02:24The ministers say they will review the project's timeline again, but maintain that the facility will only be opened when fully ready and safe for use.
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