By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
Concerns are mounting over the pace of construction at the Lethem Regional Hospital, as Sher Duncan, a Member of Parliament from the Partnership for National Unity (APNU), questioned whether the project is progressing in line with its stated timeline and financial commitments.
During a recent site visit, Duncan said his inspection was focused on verification rather than ceremony, stressing the importance of ensuring that publicly funded projects result in fully functional facilities rather than symbolic or incomplete structures.
According to the parliamentarian, more than a year has passed since the hospital’s sod-turning ceremony in October 2024, yet construction remains in its early stages. He noted that while some foundations have been laid and steel columns erected in parts of the site, there is no visible superstructure, enclosure work, or advanced construction activity underway.
Duncan highlighted that the hospital is expected to cost approximately $6.5 billion and is financed in part through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The project carries a stated construction timeline of 24 months, raising questions about whether current progress aligns with that schedule.
The Lethem Regional Hospital is intended to significantly upgrade healthcare delivery in Region Nine, expanding access to inpatient services, emergency care, and specialised treatment. Once completed, the facility is expected to reduce the region’s reliance on medical evacuations to coastal hospitals.
Given the scale of the investment and its importance to hinterland communities, Duncan argued that progress must be measured through clear construction milestones and visible advancement toward operational readiness, rather than ceremonial benchmarks.
He warned that projects of this magnitude require close oversight to ensure timelines are respected and public funds deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
