Jack accuses PM of political discrimination in health care plan

Jack Warner on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Patrick Manning of an "abusive and vicious denial" of the rights of the people to adequate health facilities.

The chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) was responding to Manning's statement in the Senate Monday that his government plans to build and upgrade several hospitals in the country.

The health initiative includes new hospitals in Sangre Grande, Arima, Point Fortin and San Fernando.

In a media release Warner wondered why Couva and Chaguanas were left out. He pointed out that in July 26th 2007, the Minister of Health had said that a hospital would be built between Couva and Chaguanas.

"Less than three years after however, the Prime Minister ignores the advice of his line Minister, virtually assumes his portfolio and presents a new proposal. This is clearly a reflection of the incompetence of both members of the Cabinet," the Chaguanas West MP stated.

"The Prime Minister's announcement of the planned upgrade and new hospitals was extremely one-sided and bore no resemblance to an equitable allocation; geographically or demographically," Warner stated.

He declared that all the the upgrades are intended for PNM stronghold constituencies.

"It is regrettable that the Prime Minister has decided to use the dispensation of health care to muster political strength in his constituencies to boost his dwindling political fortunes."

The UNC chairman noted that the announcement comes mere days after a $300 million pledge for Laventille and 48 hours after the Prime Minister's boast of a snap election.

"The obvious inference is that the Prime Minister is campaigning and is without shame using health care as a political tool," Warner stated.

He pointed to 2007 statistical data showing the population of Chaguanas, Caroni, Couva and environs was in excess of 350,000 persons.

"So Central is home to close to one quarter of the country's population....yet they are once again denied a state of the art health facility. Surely there is an imbalance here that borders on political discrimination," he said.

Warner said the UNC is calling on Manning to disclose the feasibility study prepared by HDR Architects submitted in September of 2008, which according to the Prime Minister was the foundation of this health proposal.

"The nation deserves answers on what precipitated this proposal which is a snub on a major sector of our population. Whether the answers are forthcoming or not, the Prime Minister would ultimately have to face the inquisition of the public at the next electoral poll in 2012 or before," Warner said.