Yesterday, we told you that there were reports that the cost overruns for the construction of the San Pedro hospital had exceeded up to 15 million dollars, and when we asked the prime minister and the area representative about this both were unable to confirm the figure. When we asked the Minister of Health and Wellness today, he told us that it is a manageable figure, and pointed us in the direction of the Ministry of Finance.
Kevin Bernard - Minister of Health & Wellness
"I cannot speak about this figure that is being thrown out there but I can tell you that additional works had to be recommended I know through the central execution unit from the ministry of finance and they identified where they needed to put in the parking lot that is an additional works that came in. I know the ministry the consultation that was done with PAHO and the visit that was done with PAHO there were certain cold chain equipments that we had to put in you know that the ministry has invited as well in terms of the equipment we will have an x ray machine there, an ultrasound and we will add a mammogram equipment in that facility. Those are things we want to ensure that as a secondary care provider service that those equipments are there to provide efficient services to the Belizean people especially those who live in San Pedro and who visit San Pedro so there are many other things of course that comes along with as you are going and you are building there is a plan there has been a plan that was in place and some additions was required. Now I don't know about the figures that is being thrown out there but that question could be directed to the central execution unit at the ministry of finance who would be able to tell you exactly what the overrun costs are. I believe that it is a manageable figure."
Jo
"If it is a manageable figure then what is that figure?"
Kevin Bernard - Minister of Health & Wellness
"At the ministry we are only responsible to ensure that the technical specs of the facility is being built the way it is designed for. Any additional stuff that deals with financing it is through the ministry of finance central execution unit so they are the ones that have to answer that question."
