Construction of the new Port Kaituma Hospital is yet to be completed, five years after works would have commenced. Spokesman at the Ministry of Health, Terrence Esseboom, however, said the delay is a result of the non-completion of internal works.
Works on the state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar hospital began in 2014 under the previous government.
During a recent visit by the Sunday Stabroek to the North West District community, external works on the structures for the hospital, mortuary, administrative building and the doctors’ quarters, were all observed to be completed.
It was also observed that the roads leading to the hospital are paved and bordered by well-constructed parapets. Perimeter lighting has also been installed around the hospital’s compound.
Esseboom on Monday told this newspaper that they will soon be inviting contractors to bid for interior works at the medical facility.
He explained that engineers at the Public Infrastructure Ministry are currently reviewing several documents, and after their approval, they will advertise the tenders.
“Internal works have to be done on the walls and floors, air conditioning units, the medical gas system, water and electrical systems and painting the interior of the building, along with some works on the sluice room,” Esseboom said, while explaining the scope of works that need to be completed. He noted that during this phase of the project, an estimated $200 million will be expended.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Region One Council, Brentnol Ashley, told the Sunday Stabroek that the community is eagerly awaiting the completion of the hospital, since the current hospital is deteriorating rapidly.
“We haven’t received any updates on why the construction works have been stalled. It is close to a year now we haven’t been able to get any explanation. At a recent meeting we asked for an update,” Ashley related.
Elaborating on the state
