CUBA PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO HEALTH CARE IN GRENADA  

The government of the peoples' Republic of Cuba has given assurances to the New National Party (NNP) administration of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, that it will continue assisting in the development of health care in Grenada. The commitment from the Cubans was relayed at the commissioning of phase 1 of the New General Hospital last Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony Ambassador Humberto Rivero affirmed that Cuba will continue to assist the Grenadian people and government in its endeavor to build its new Hospital. Cuba has helped with the design and technical advise for construction as well as the acquisition of a certain quantity of material in Havana, at cost price.

They have also assembled a team of skilled professionals to work at the site as well as donated some medical equipment and are engaged in the procurement of others for the new building. Ambassador Rivero promised that the Fidel Castro regime will assist in the training of personnel to run the services by contributing to the training of Grenadian doctors as specialists. He spoke of some locals already receiving training in improving their skills in different areas of hospital services.

"In other cases, Cuban technicians, as well as biomedical engineers will remain in Grenada for some time guaranteeing the proper maintenance of equipment  and support systems till  the Grenadian technicians and engineers are ready to assume these responsibilities" the Cuban diplomat noted. According to Ambassador Rivero,  the New Hospital must not only be seen for the number of beds that will be available,  but more importantly the services that it will provide to the Grenadian people.

"The new services which will be available must not only allow the Grenadian people to not only  have better health services, but also to have it, right here in Grenada without the need to travel to other countries" the Cuban diplomat noted. Chairperson of the Hospital Fundraising Committee Marietta Mitchell, the wife of the Prime Minister  described the commissioning of Phase One as "a glorious day" for the country.

She expressed gratitude for the contribution of $356.000 which was made by the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) toward the project. However, Mrs. Mitchell noted that there is more work to be done since an additional $30 million is need to complete Phase Two. Phase Two, which is underway, will be completed in the next two years. It includes construction of the Nursing School, the Main Building, which will house the Administrative Department. It will provide Outpatient Care,  Dialysis, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Oncology Services.