PNP supports calls by Montego Bay Business Community for CRH meeting, says virtual press conference is disrespectful
Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Dr Morais Guy, is supporting the call by the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce for an open meeting with the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton to discuss the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).
In a release on Tuesday, Guy said the demand was justified as the renovation of the Hospital is now three years past the completion date with a massive $5 billion overrun in cost.
He said the original estimate was $5 billion, which means the project is now 100 per cent over budget.
The Opposition Spokesperson said he had been raising the issue for several years. According to Guy, Minister Tufton seems now to “be afraid of meeting stakeholders in Western Jamaica”.
“The implementation of this project represents a total disaster in project planning and implementation, and it is the duty of the Minister to meet to present a credible plan of action which returns CRH to full service. The cowardice approach is not to be countenanced,” Dr Guy said.
On Monday, the Ministry of Health, on their social media platforms, stated that they would be hosting a virtual press conference to give an update on CRH. The press conference is slated for a 1 pm start time on Tuesday.
However, Dr Guy is encouraging Tufton to abandon his plan to speak to Western Jamaica on social media platforms using a virtual press.
“The importance of Cornwall Regional Hospital to the people of West Jamaica in general and Montego Bay, in particular, demanded that the Minister leaves the comfort of his Ministerial environment and hold the open meeting with the community on the ground in Montego Bay, as requested by the Chamber of Commerce,” Guy emphasised.
Dr Guy said the virtual press conference was “a disrespect to the people and the business community of Montego Bay, who have all been long-suffering.”