Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister says the new central block at the Port of Spain General Hospital has not run over budget, pushing back against Opposition claims as the government defends one of its biggest hospital infrastructure projects.
Trinidad and Tobago hospital project cost dispute
Terrence Deyalsingh told a parliamentary budget committee that the project cost is $471.3 million, covering design, construction, outfitting and loan financing, and said the Health Ministry did not directly spend public cash on the build because it is being delivered through a BOLT structure via Udecott. The financing model matters because it shifts near-term budget pressure away from upfront state spending while leaving the government with long-term lease obligations.
The dispute comes as the ministry received a $6.41 billion allocation in the 2023/24 budget, underlining how healthcare remains a major fiscal priority even as the government tries to contain accusations of waste. Deyalsingh said the central block was built, owned and leased back by the winning bidder for 15 years before transfer to the state.
He also said $34 million has been set aside for upgrade work at Port of Spain General Hospital, San Fernando General Hospital and the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. For investors and contractors, that points to continued public spending on hospital maintenance and refurbishment beyond the flagship central block project.
The minister said San Fernando General Hospital will see grounds revitalised, older non-functional buildings demolished and other usable structures upgraded, while he described all three legacy hospitals as needing to be kept in good working order for the public benefit. He also said the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility will move away from its covid19 role and the original plan to operate it as a UWI teaching hospital will return to the front burner, though he gave no timetable.
The issue now shifts back to Parliament, where budget scrutiny resumes on Oct. 16 before the committee turns to Tobago House of Assembly spending on Oct. 18. Any fresh claims of overruns or delays could revive pressure on the government’s health capital program, especially as voters and suppliers watch whether the hospital buildout stays on schedule and within the financing structure.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Health Ministry | ▲Defended project cost | ▼Faces scrutiny over delivery |
| Udecott / bidder | ▲Long-term lease revenue | ▼Takes construction/financing risk |
| Patients / public hospitals | ▲Better facilities | ▼Delays in upgrades if budget tightens |
| Opposition UNC | ▲Political attack line | ▼Weakens if no overrun is proven |
