By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the Critical Care Block at Princess Margaret Hospital is largely complete, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez says he will soon seek approval from Parliamentarians to secure a $35m loan to purchase equipment for the facility.

Yesterday Dr Gomez said officials at the Public Hospital’s Authority (PHA) were completing negotiations with First Caribbean Bank for the funds. He added that those discussions were expected to wrap up in the next two weeks.

The Critical Care Block is another of the government’s projects that has suffered several delays. However, during his address in the House of Assembly, Dr Gomez did not give a definite opening date. His only reassurance was that the block would be open this year.

“The final turnover of the Critical Care Block is contingent on the full commissioning of all medical equipment,” he said. “Once all equipment is in place and equipment is tested, commissioning can be complete. With respect to the purchasing of equipment I can report that the PHA has already purchased and installed equipment in the new state-of-the-art laboratory section totalling more than $10 million.”

“I am also pleased to report that all the equipment has been identified and the tendering process is complete. This will significantly reduce the lead time and the arrival of the equipment to the Bahamas. The commissioning of the Critical Care Block is scheduled sometime this year.”

Dr Gomez said the contractor has already received the occupancy certificate from the Ministry of Works and solar panels will be installed by May 3. The administration and laboratory areas of the facility are fully operational with medical equipment in the operating suite now being tested and calibrated, Dr Gomez said. 

Various other equipment is being installed and are expected to be commissioned in the coming weeks.

The former Ingraham administration began construction on the 66,000-square foot facility in November 2011. It has been estimated that the block will cost taxpayers around $100 million.

The new wing houses 18 recovery beds, 20 private ICU rooms, a central sterile department, administrative facilities, new laboratory facilities and a new main entrance, which is disability friendly.