By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS at the Public Hospitals Authority say the Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital is closer to being fully operational with the facility this week receiving key certifications.

Yesterday, Managing Director of the PHA Herbert Brown said technicians from the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) inspected the block and approved its electrical capabilities.

However, he could not say when the block would be officially opened.

He said: “We are going to be doing a review because we were installing some of the final things like the solar (panel) system and we were awaiting the inspection from the Ministry of Works. BEC came and they did their inspection and approved it on Tuesday, now the Ministry of Works will come and do their inspection to give us the permanent occupancy certificate.”

Last month, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez revealed that while the Critical Care Block was largely complete, an additional $35m loan to purchase equipment for the facility was needed.

He said PHA officials were in talks with the First Caribbean Bank for the funds. Dr Gomez added that those discussions were expected to wrap up in the coming weeks.

The opening of the Critical Care Block has suffered several delays.

However, during a recent 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 former Ingraham administration began construction on the facility in November 2011 and completion was expected in October 2013.

Government officials have said the block will improve access to critical care beds for adults and infants, and reduce waiting times for surgery. Other benefits include better surgical results and the quality of care through the use of modern medical and information technology. The block is also expected to have an enhanced diagnostic capacity and improved administrative offices.

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