By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Terrence Campbell has raised concerns over key aspects of President Irfaan Ali’s recently announced five-year development plan, cautioning that ambitious investments in healthcare and education may fall short without addressing underlying structural challenges.
Following the President’s national address outlining major economic, social and infrastructural initiatives—including expanded healthcare facilities, telemedicine services, artificial intelligence platforms, oncology centres and future biotechnology hubs—Dr. Campbell, of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), welcomed the scale of the proposals but questioned their practical viability.
Focusing on healthcare, Dr. Campbell said the plan did not adequately confront what he described as a persistent and worsening shortage of doctors, nurses and medical specialists. He noted that migration, burnout and inadequate compensation continue to weaken the public health system, and argued that infrastructure and technology alone cannot deliver improved outcomes without sufficient human resources.
According to the opposition MP, the absence of a clear strategy to retain or repatriate healthcare professionals undermines claims that the government can provide consistent, high-quality healthcare across the country. He stressed that issues such as competitive wages, improved working conditions and professional support must be addressed if proposed investments are to succeed.
Turning to education, Dr. Campbell highlighted concerns over unmet commitments. While acknowledging the President’s announcement that the “Because We Care” cash grant would be restored to $50,000, he questioned why previously announced increases—to $100,000, along with a $100,000 transportation grant—were not fulfilled. He warned that restoring benefits without accounting for broken promises risks eroding public confidence.
Dr. Campbell emphasized that APNU’s approach places human capital at the centre of development. He said meaningful progress requires fair pay for healthcare workers, adequate support for nurses, student stipends, regional equity in access to training institutions and clearly measurable outcomes, rather than broad aspirational targets.
The opposition MP concluded that while long-term planning is necessary, success will depend on whether policies translate into tangible improvements for citizens, particularly in the critical areas of health and education.
