General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has defended the decision to build a new West Demerara Regional Hospital.
This comes after President Irfaan Ali’s announcement to replace the current hospital structure with a modern facility, which faced criticism in a recent editorial by Stabroek News.
The editorial raised concerns about the two-year feasibility study required before construction could begin.
However, Dr. Jagdeo responded by explaining that the regional population is growing rapidly, and the aging hospital infrastructure will soon be unable to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.
In addressing the concerns, Jagdeo questioned the necessity of a study for an existing hospital, emphasizing the urgency of simply replacing it to meet the needs of the local population.
The Vice President also mentioned that a new manpower plan has been developed to support the healthcare sector’s growth.
This initiative is part of the government’s wider health agenda, designed to cater to residents across different regions.
This expansion of healthcare services is expected to reduce the number of referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, while ensuring international standards of medical care across the country.