The groundbreaking for the much talked about new Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) will take place later this year or next year, Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux has said.
He said at a press conference on Thursday that despite the passage of Tropical Storm Erika plans for the hospital are moving along.
“We are going to go ahead with the new Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in spite of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika,” Dr. Darroux stated.
He said many would question whether the new facility will be even considered since resources have been redirected since the storm.
“We think that the new hospital is important enough to go ahead with it,” he noted.
Darroux said he is willing to shoulder the blame for any delay in the construction of the facility.
He explained that when he took over as Minister for Health, he felt that certain modifications to the design were imperative particularly in this age.
“I think we would all agree that this is what is going to serve us for the next two to three decades so in order to ensure that we get it right, and to get the best option, the best design, and the best services available,” he noted. “So these have really been the cause of the delay.”
The new facility which according to officials will remain at the same location in Goodwill, is a gift from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
“Our Chinese counterparts have been, I could even say restless, to get started but as the Minister of Health and a trained doctor, I felt that there were certain things that we needed to do to ensure that the best option and the best product was given to us as a country,” Darroux stated.
He said the PRC has given government the assurance that now the designs have been settled, ground breaking will be later this year or next year.
At the presentation of the last national budget in July the Ministry of Health received a $19.5-million slice, which goes towards the new PMH.
In May of this year, the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, announced that groundbreaking for the new hospital would take place in July.
During the campaign for general election last year, it was said construction would begin in the first quarter of 2015. A slick video of the facility was presented.
In January 2015 Health Minister Kenneth Darroux said new information, new points of view and ideas about the hospital had surfaced and a site for the facility was yet to be determined.
He said a decision on the new site would be determined very soon and “within the next few weeks” the nation would be informed.
It was subsequently revealed that the facility will be constructed in Goodwill, at the site of the old PMH.
Back in 2010 then Health Minister, Julius Timothy, announced that the ground breaking ceremony for the hospital in the Roseau North constituency was “coming soon.”
That same year, Skerrit, said Warner should be considered as a possible location for the hospital.
Two years later, in 2012 Timothy said the existing Princess Margaret Hospital would soon be revamped and the country will have a “relatively new hospital … early next year” (2013).
In 2013, Prime Minister Skerrit said the new hospital was among projects to be undertaken that year through gratuitous aid and concessionary financing from the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
At that time Skerrit mentioned that they were “unfolding the designs” of the hospital.
I hope they have a naturopathic section or ward for the hospital in order to embrace natural medicines and support the holistic medicines. which will be supportive of the nature Island tourism. which could also be a step forward toward alternative and proven medicines such as marijuana. Its time to lead rather than follow.
for those idiots, a hospital a building…
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/new-pmh-groundbreaking-in-july-skerrit-says/
The problem are not insurmountable” I am sure that even Real Fact will understand lies after reading the artle pasted.
Cannot that nice new building just outside Roseau be used. Can’t miss it, it’s painted white and is opposite that building that passes for a library.
No Anon, we’ll use that as an alms house instead because that is badly needed too.
More urgent emphasis should be placed on the medical facilities. The health care facilities says who we are as a nation! If you are inviting people to the island you have to be able to accommodate them and their needs. How can you tell me to come and spend my golden age home and there is no standard health care. While visiting DA, I visited a friend in the PMH to find him on the floor and covered with flies. How dehumanizing is such conditions.
there is no money to be made out of a health facility so roosvelt and his friends are have very little interest
So called health minister, you may be a good man from what I’ve gathered from quite a few people, but stop talking trash on a daily basis like that. For fifteen years you all have failed this country. Don’t you guys have a conscience?
What kind of country is this? The biggest scandal in Dominicans history is being reported in international press and
no mention on Dno?
https://www.beaconreader.com/matthew-russell-lee/in-un-scandal-ngs-dominica-passport-echoed-by-italy-interpol-fax-to-qatar
Very interesting.
To Facebook
Wow, Your assertion that the biggest scandal in Dominican history is being reported in international press is absurd. The site which you direct readers to cannot hold the distinction to be called quote “international press. ” very silly on your part.
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2012/06/15/matthew-lee-silly-blogger-faces-jail-terms-two-countries
A Nigerian prince email me and tell me my 5 million dollars is in the pipeline…I’m sure I’ll get it before dat hospital done.
They Left out one thing The Helipad other than that it looks great Build Skero Build It Dominica Needs a serious Hospital well equipped so our people don’t have to go to other Islands for treatment.
So far, 11 comments. Those who did lack consideration. It is not yet three months that TS Erika struck Dominica and some of you have the nerve to make such comments. Are you not fortunate that you are alive and you may not have been affected by TS Erika? Where are your compassion, appreciation and gratitude? I forgot you have none. I visualize the next time a disaster strikes D/ca, you will not escape.
Hopefully baby no.3 will be born at this hospital….
why Goodwill ? why the same site ? why not Warner where the Govt have lands and the social security ..giving undisturbed use of Princess margaret hospital in the interim during the constuction phase ?
That pipeline is in need of a toilet bowl.
After hearing Dr. Daroux telling the nation that the hospital is now a gift from the People’s Republic of China (PRC, I am now worried about the $300K deal PM Skerrit signed with a Chines company named ASCG,on Nov 8,2013.
We know that deal was not with the PRC because of this: “The Chinese Embassy in the Commonwealth of Dominica would like to clarify that the widely-reported US$300 million MOU, including the construction of a hotel, a hospital and an airport by using concessionary loans from the Chinese Government, was not signed by the Chinese Government,” the embassy told DNO via email. It pointed out that the MOU “was solely a business activity of an enterprise.”
First, where is that $300K? Secondly, Are we to now speculate if that ASCG Chinese Company is not owned in whole or in part by billionaire NG Lap SEng?
I do hope the FBI gets that one clarified for us
my question is minister,you said the same location,how are you all going to do that,move the patients to one ward while you all are building one section,and then move them back when completed,this part of the statement,seem a little bit troubleing,would not a new location be more convenient,and also I do not see a landing pad,are you all not including a fly in service,seeing dominica is a very large country
Dr. Daroux, . Here is a statement you made that left me even more concerned:
“The new facility …l, is a gift from the People’s Republic of China (PRC)”. “Our Chinese counterparts have been, I could even say restless, to get started.
my concern:
1. On Nov. 8, 2013, PM Skerrit signed a US$300-million deal with Chinese Company ASCG’s for the construction of an airport, hotel and hospital https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/pm-skerrit-inks-us300-million-deal-china/
2.That deal was confirmed by the office of the PM https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/chinese-team-inspects-hotel-construction-site/
3. Upon hearing that news, the Chines embassy quickly came to say the deal was not with their government https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/business/chinese-embassy-clarifies-us300-m-deal/
4. Now you telling us it is a gift from the People’s Republic of China (PRC)?
5. Where is the $300K he signed for…
Ring a ring a rosy my pocket full of roses eer nice eer saw eer nice eer saw and all fall down.
Zee bee dee zee bee dee nabisco pointa petais pooof
Aunty aunty thread your needle thread your needless long lon g
Jane and Louisa will soon come in soon come soon coming
Any body bored? Sakwais matere,kiyonere zor yais
Ah Dr. Darroux, stop making excuses for the big man, who is a little boy really. Your heart is in the right place but that pipeline story??? How long is a pipeline? I think it is in the pipe and crapaud smoking it. Don’t be the fall guy for Mr. Skerrit., you are better than that.
DNO how could you forget the promised ground breaking in 1 st July 2015
oh what about the children’s hospital, and the hospitals of my Dominica trade house?
I believe that the Citizenship by investment programme should be directed to building Hospitals, Schools and even the international Airport rather than building Hotels. Just saying but i’m still a DLP Supporter.
This is a gift why should there be any consideration to put it on hold, now is the time we need that type of construction activity on the Island. I did want Mr.Darroux to update us on the start date of this project but based on his answer he seems to have no clue as to the status of this project. Perhaps we need to ask the Chinese ambassador.
For geological reasons the “new hospital” should not be built in goodwill. Can the Govt. give us valid technical reasons as to why the goodwill site is the most suitable. There comes a point in time when questions are more than answers and it is apparent we have been long living in these times.
The groundbreaking for the much talked about new Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) will take place later this year or next year, Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux has said. LOL
Darroux it is already late ,late.in the year 2015 it\’s almost ended. Tomorrow is Nov 01st.Independence all the creole things before you know it it\’s time to kill some pigs cows ,goats, sheep .
Drink Sorrel,Rum beer whiskey who studying ground breaking.?Better you had just say next year.Skerrit baby done born and he eh making more so thereis no hurry nor will there be.lol!
Darroux is an 11th hour guy it would seem if he talking about late this year hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
So news is out that Skerrit baby was perfectly delivered in USA hospital and he is very HAPPY
While Dominicans babies are dying frequently at PMH.
So take the issue of focus away from Skerrit you are back here saying the new PMH is in the pipeline.
Wicked men in high places!!!!
So, what happened to the grant from the Chinese gov’t and, later, the MILLIONS OF DOLLARS loan that Mr. Skerrit signed with some money people on our behalf? All that money was supposed to be for the purpose of the construction of the new hospital. Where is that money Mr. Skerrit? Where has all the money gone to Mr. Skerrit. O.K., so if the 19 million plus dollars for that new hospital is coming from our treasury according, then why are the Chinese still involved in that hospital.
Why do they have to design OUR hospital? Why are OUR construction workers, engineers, electricians, plumbers and other skilled Dominican workers not being considered for that construction of OUR hospital?
Allow them to eat bread too, non? Let us keep the little money we have in our country.
Let the Chinese build the phantom hospital with their grant.
To many ground breaking and nothing happening. Soon they will no more water left.
My Fellow Dominicans: Keep Calm. We shall all enjoy the new hospital in the AFTERLIFE!!
Erika block the pipeline, get DOWASCO to flush it
Taking bout unblocking pipeline what about TIM nah? Sidelined or what?
This guy was the best PJ wanted to sell DA/North to them south African whites, Mamo said she won\’t build roads for constitutencies that did not vote for her in 80-90.
Then came Eddo and almost gave us Al Marsari. Plus Do U guys recall the 1996 Olympics in ATL? The whole cabinet left for Georgia.Then came the greatest blooper of D/can politics Tim crossed the forbidden zone and joined the $5000 salary Millions in assets team( Tim love to be on solid teams which then turn Liquid then gaseous)
But the joke of the post independence is when Tim Julie Coco said he would dredge the Roseau River and have boat cruises up stream under the moonlight & stars. The boy is good! It did not come true ,luckily 4 a few young ladies. They escaped. These cruises could be inter
I’m a DLP supporter but I wonder when we’re going to start work on this facility and please have local contractors to there to oversee the construction because the Hospital gift to Antigua made the fencing walls to fall after a 2 minute rain.
@Honourable Minister Darroux: I think you have a good heart and would never make a false presentation. But the hospital’s been in the pipeline for a long time now. The pipeline is just not flushing. It looks like it’s stalled. Do you think it is time to examine the pipeline itself for hazards or blockage ? Thanks.
They put some boulders down the toilet the Chinese gave us people using stone to wipe as we in Venezuela who don\’t have toilet paper lol!
Don’t believe a word you guys are saying! When are you gonna stop fooling the citizens of Dominica? Admit it you have not got a cent left in the kitty – you have not got a clue about financial management let alone anything else.
Bla Bla Bla Bla………………
******MAYBE IT WILL MAYBE IT WON’T*****
“The groundbreaking for the much talked about new Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) will take place later this year or next year, Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux has said.”
…………………………………………………
Later this year or next year????
Just STOP!!! Please!!!
Just get it done!!!
The construction of a new state of the art hospital facility can wait, it is not a priority, since we the elite can always go overseas for medical attention.
When will your “ministers” stop trying to fool the people? If you needed to make major design changes, why was a July ground-breaking date provided? And why, if you knew this date was unfeasible wasn’t an announcement made before then, instead of 4 months later?
The constant changes of plans, delays, etc. gives little to no confidence in your team’s ability to plan. Even now, after 5 years of delay, you come with “later this year or next year”? So it can be anytime over the next 14 months? Seriously? You can’t even provide a precise timeline? Sounds like you guys are just playing “kick the can”!
On TV the Can eneded up in the sea. It wasn\’t even recycled even if the plan4 a new hospital is being recycled. lol
Ah, Darroux, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!”
Aye Dr Darroux, how about the year after next year and the one after that. You forget to include those time period or wha.
Dr Darroux, the following is dedicated to you, Labourites, Roosevelt Skerrit and the rest of y’all band of misfits and incompetents in government – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Bv1psluMc
NB: DNO, excellent job in your continued chronicling of this MALADROIT Labour Party government’s numerous shape-shifting statements about when things are going to start. Keep it up Dominica News Online!!!!!!!!!
The pipeline block with stone and gravel and probably have some leaks. Pretty soon Erika will have to put on her scapegoat costume.
Is it Halloween or April fools day?
IS THIS THE SAME HOSPITAL OR DIFFERENT HOSPITALS,
Sounds like its a very long pipeline, must be a Russian or Alaska pipeline
This is reasonable and informative. Let’s hope that the ground breaking will be sooner than later.
Ground breaking means nothing Anthony. They broke ground on the Moroccan hotel at the Cabrits four years ago. Do I need to say more?
Your right Darroux,its backing up in the toilet,our people have become so dumb.
ALL YOU AINT TIRED FOOL PEOPLE.
Let me fix that for you. Ain’t the people TIRED of being FOOLED?