One Grenada opposition political organization has expressed public support for government’s plan to construct a new medical care facility in partnership with the New York-based Mount Sinai Health System.
D Movement, which is soon to have its official launch as a party, says the partnership plan, announced in May, is “encouraging news for Grenada’s healthcare future’’. However, the party’s leader Peter David has called for immediate “emergency action’’ to address current healthcare needs of the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
“A world-class medical city and a 250-bed smart hospital will transform our capabilities,’’ said David, but who also suggested that “we can build the future while fixing the present’’.
The new hospital, being developed under what’s called “Project Polaris’’, will be part of an 84-acre complex at Hope Vale.
The Mount Sinai team will advise the Grenada government on the design, development, and eventual clinical operations of the hospital.
David, an Independent MP who represents the Town of St George in the Lower House of Parliament, said that in conversations with Grenadians, including parents and the elderly, it’s clear that measures must be taken “to bridge the gap’’ between this period and the opening of the new hospital years from now.
“Healthcare can’t wait for anyone — not for politics, not for construction timelines, not for perfect plans,’’ said David, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Agriculture.
“A National Health Insurance Scheme is brilliant — when will enrollment begin? Primary care teams in every parish could save lives — when will they be deployed?’’
The vision of D Movement, said David, is for “both immediate relief and long-term transformation’’ of the local healthcare system.
“You shouldn’t have to choose between world-class care tomorrow and basic care today,’’ he emphasized.
“Here’s what immediate action looks like: Mobile clinics bringing specialists to rural communities monthly while we wait for the new hospital. Emergency stockpiling of essential medicines in every clinic. Telemedicine connections linking our existing doctors to patients who can’t travel.’’
D Movement is interested in the development and building of a “healthcare system that serves every Grenadian, today and tomorrow’’, said David.
