The National Democratic Party government said Monday that work on the hospital annex should begin within 4-8 weeks and be completed within 12-15 months.

“Quality health care service in the BVI is of top priority for my government (and) as such, the construction of a new hospital is a paramount project,” said Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith during his first press conference since his party was elected to office June 16^th, 2003.
He said construction of the main hospital would require that government carefully consider current proposals as well as requests from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for additional information before agreeing that this government could borrow the funds needed.

“The new hospital project has not advanced very far since phase 1A commended officially in September 2001,” he declared. Phase 1A included the excavation of the site and the construction of retaining walls.
The Chief Minister reported that a total of 80,000 cubic yards of fill was excavated from the site and deposited immediately across the street from the existing hospital. He said the cost to date on this project is $8,680,054.60.

“Nevertheless, my government is committed to improving health care services in the BVI,” the BVI leader stated. “We will have a first class hospital in Tortola and upgrade the facilities on the sister islands to modern clinics.”

He said as a first step, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will proceed expeditiously to complete and outfit the hospital annex, which will provide at least 20 additional beds. He said funds have already been provided in the 2003 budget for this project and work would resume shortly.

Executive Council has agreed that the firm ADC Construction Limited, a partnership between a local company and a firm from the Cayman Islands, will complete the hospital annex at a cost of $5.2 million.  The successful contractor won the bidding from a field of four tenderers.

Minister for Finance and Health Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton outlined that the project encompasses around 30,000 square feet of floor space and two storeys  a ground floor and a first floor.

He said the ground floor will accommodate a modern laboratory for hospital services, laundry and housekeeping, bio medical room, electrical, mechanical and maintenance area, while the first floor is earmarked for offices for doctors, administrators, other laboratories and a restaurant that will service the entire hospital complex when completed.

“Based on the contract sum, there are sufficient funds to complete this project,” Hon. Skelton reported. “We are now preparing the contract and as soon as that contract is signed, we will move immediately to the construction phase.”

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said his ministry’s role would be during the operational rather than construction phase. He said the Ministry’s contribution will be in the areas of fishing, agriculture, environment and labour.

“Currently the BVI Fishing Complex supplies Peebles Hospital on a weekly basis with a large amount of local fish,” Minister Christopher said. “The addition of this annex could only increase the business done in terms of value supplied.”

He said this would also create more jobs for persons wanting to become involved in the fishing industry.

In terms of agriculture, the Ministry is working steadfastly to improve the water supply to our farmers, according to Hon. Christopher. He said this would in turn result in higher yield for farmers who will be able to supply the hospital with more fresh produce while maintaining their relationship with the supermarkets.

“The environment is always of concern and especially in a location like the hospital,” the Minister pointed out. “While we are certain that the Ministry of Health will continue to ensure that the disposal of medical waste is environmentally safe, we are ready to provide any assistance in this regard.”
He said he would also be looking out for the non established workers at the hospital, to ensure proper working standards.

On the reclamation, Mr. Christopher pointed out that details are yet to be worked out, but this would provide additional parking. He said the Conservation and Fisheries Department has done an Environmental Impact Assessment and this would help to ensure the reclamation is done in an environmentally safe manner.

Hon. Lloyd Black, Minister for Education and Culture, said his role would relate to training of personnel to man the hospital on its completion and creating general awareness among school children and the youth about careers in the health field.

“It is this government’s policy to train medical and allied health professionals to assume positions in the proposed new Peebles hospital,” he stated. “This calls for an investment of approximately $3M over a 7-year period in the first instance to train British Virgin Islanders in specific disciplines, including pharmacy, laboratory and other medical technicians, nurses, physiotherapists, general and specialist medical practitioners and emergency medical technicians.

Minister Black said the scholarship scheme would be administered through the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health.  He invited all interested persons to contact the Ministry at telephone 494-3701 ext. 2151 for further details.

And Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Paul P. Wattley referred to the hospital as a top priority project for the BVI.

“Unlike what has happened in the past, being the Minister for Works and Communications, we find it very important for us to be the watchdogs on every project,” he declared. He said the Ministry would look out for government’s interests and ensure that the consultants’ fees do not escalate with escalating costs of the project.

He said they would also ensure that sub contractors of the BVI are given an opportunity to work on these projects and that material, as far as possible, would be bought locally.

“We basically will be the client’s representative,” said Hon. Wattley. “I believe I can safely say from hereon in that every government project will have the relevant agencies in government looking after government’s interest.”

He said the plans for the annex will be revised and changed to suit “today’s needs”. He said the annex is to the main hospital, but since the territory cannot afford a complete hospital, “we’re gonna make do with what we have and make it work for us in the short term so at least we’ll be having some improved health care.”

Regarding the extension of the four lane highway from the Wickham’s Cay roundabout to Fort Burt, the Minister of Communications and Works said Monday, this will be studied to ensure that it works in the best interest of all the BVIslanders. “We have to ensure that you never be put through a situation where you have to go in a roundabout way to get to the hospital.”