The institution, which is earmarked to open in 2015, is being built on a 60-acre site at Preysal with funding through a government to government agreement with the Chinese government. The estimated cost is US$150 million (TT$945 Million)
In an address at the event Persad-Bissessar noted that the hospital is the fulfillment of yet another promise by her People's Partnership government.
She said, "It begins the realisation of a dream which I have cherished for quite some time. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this morning’s function is one of the most important during my tenure as Prime Minister of our country."
The event was titled: "For the Love of a Child". Persad-Bissessar noted its significance, saying "I am convinced that our children represent the future and hope of our country."
She said the facility, which is being managed by UDeCOTT, will provide healthcare not only for children across Trinidad & Tobago but to kids in other countries.
"For us to continue the development of our country and its services, we have to continue to think “outside the box” in order to carve a unique position in this highly competitive global economy," she said.
"We are not about erecting white elephants willy nilly...We are carefully planning the development of Trinidad and Tobago that encompasses the entire country, north, south, east and west, urban and rural. And we are about being people centred," she added.
"We’re busy filling the needs of the people not the pockets of a privileged few. That is what People’s Power is about."
Persad-Bissessar focused some of her comments to the children, some of whom were present for the event. She said when the new hospital is opened parents and children would no longer have to experience the stress and trauma of financing expensive medical procedures abroad.
She also spoke of plans to create a Medical Healthcare City by 2015. It will become a globally acknowledged location of choice for healthcare; a centre of excellence for specialist medical services, medical education, life science research and technology leveraged health care services, Persad-Bissessar said.
"Health and medical tourism is one of the industries worldwide that has seen unprecedented growth and opportunity for countries such as ours.
"Trinidad and Tobago is uniquely positioned in the Southern Caribbean. We are at that ever important transition point between South and North America where opportunities abound if we reach out and grab what is before us," the Prime Minister stated.
She declared that she was happy to turn to sod for the hospital, "For every child that passes through this facility in years to come, for every medical professional who is trained here and gains employment here, for every hurt soothed, for every parent who doesn’t have to suffer the pain of being unable to afford the urgent medical care for their child, for so many wonderful, heart-warming moments and reasons."
Read the story: Another PP promise kept; 230-bed children's hospital for Preysal
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