The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has managed to fix utilities and other aspects of the East Coast Demerara COVID-19 facility which were left unfinished, in just a few weeks after assuming office.
The COVID-19 facility at Liliendaal
Addressing the coronavirus pandemic was President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday, who noted that the previous coalition Administration’s only accomplishment was to spend over $1 billion to revamp the facility, which they would’ve eventually left in a nonfunctional state. Other than the refurbished building, there was no electricity, water or sewage connection to facilitate positive patients.
However, the Head of State said his Administration has managed to fix these issues, while simultaneously addressing the socio-economic implications of the virus.
“All that the last Government did was to spend billions of dollars on the Liliendaal facility that cannot be used. There is no oxygen in there. There is no water in there. There is no electricity in there. There is no sewer system. We have fixed all of that in this month. Additionally, we are addressing the economic and social consequences of COVID-19,” Dr Ali assured.
The flood-prone building, formerly known as the Ocean View International Hotel, was transformed into the specialised COVID-19 facility. However, it faced much criticisms, due to the over $1 billion price tag and the fact that the Government was in caretaker mode.
The APNU/AFC coalition commissioned the facility prior to leaving office, even though it was not completed or outfitted with key medical equipment to house patients.
Two Sundays ago, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony facilitated a media tour of the building where works were ongoing to complete the project. During his inspection, Minister Anthony had identified electricity, water availability, and proper sewage disposal as hurdles that have delayed the transfer of patients to the new facility, which was formerly the Ocean View International Hotel.
For this, the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Guyana Power and Light would have come on board to provide much-needed assistance. At that time, temporary utility mechanisms were being installed to allow for the First Phase, providing care to isolated patients only.
The facility currently has 197 beds, catering for 50 per cent usage during Phase One and easing the burden of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Last week, the Ministry began utilising the billion-dollar Centre for Disease Control and Prevention with the first batch of COVID-19 patients shifting on Tuesday.
The Second Phase, which is expected to tackle intensive care patients, will materialise at a later date when the necessary medical equipment is installed.
Last month, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supporter Wilfred Rambarran claimed he still owned the building and was entitled to rent. Former Attorney General, Basil Williams later came out to debunk this as untrue.
New cases/increased testing
Also addressing the increased death toll which the country has witnessed in recent days, the President said it is linked to the increased testing for the virus – which has been amplified by almost 500 per cent. There is an evident correlation between increased tests and the rise in deaths.
“We’re testing almost 500 per cent than we were testing before. We have hundreds of people turning up to be tested now that never took the opportunity to be tested. We were testing 40-60 per day. We’re testing some days, 250 now. If we’re doing more tests, if we’re more aggressive in reaching out to people in doing the testing, then you expect that there will be a correlation.”
To address this connection, he noted that Government will have to look at care facilities, infrastructure and intensive needs. It was highlighted that since the Government took office, over 40,000 test kits were made available as well as 29 ventilators. Another 16 ventilators will be delivered shortly. (G12)
