With nearly $3.5 billion allocated to the Ministry of Health in last year’s national budget, Health Minister Jerry Narace says the Government will continue to boost its budget allocation to healthcare. “I am sure the Prime Minister would treat us well this year. This government continues to increase the budget allocation to healthcare because we are taking your healthcare needs seriously,” Narace said.

He stated repeatedly that the Government’s commitment to healthcare was a part of the People’s National Movement’s (PNM’s) being what he described as “their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.” In 2007, the Ministry of Health received about $2.9 billion in the national Budget, which was upped to $3.3 billion in the Government’s fiscal package for 2008.

Top-of-the-line cancer care

According to Narace, Trinidad and Tobago has the best cancer treatment centre in the Caribbean. “When they ask you about cancer, tell them about the new National Radiotherapy Centre (NRC). You might not know this. We now have the best cancer treatment, the NRC, in St James. (It is) completely refurnished. It is now the best in the Caribbean and it now offers a full range of services.

“You know why they (members of the Opposition are) getting on wild so and some voting one way in the same party and the other voting (another way)? They are running scared because they (are) looking around Trinidad and Tobago and they (are) seeing Vision 2020 coming into reality. Narace also revealed that infant mortality decreased in Port-of-Spain by 34 per cent; in San Fernando by 36 per cent; and in Mount Hope by 45 per cent. He did not indicate the period over which the reductions occurred. He added that the Scarborough Hospital will be finished in April, next year.

Narace was speaking at the People’s National Movement’s eighth political-education meeting held at the Mayaro Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon. It followed a five-point motorcade from areas such as Skinner Park in San Fernando, Piccadilly Greens in Port-of-Spain, the Caroni Bird Sanctuary car park and the Eddie Hart Ground. Speakers at the meeting included Local Government Minister Hazel Manning, who delivered welcoming remarks, and her husband, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who was the feature speaker at the proceedings.