$100M Hospital Waste Sparks Outrage as Couva Facility Is Rededicated
A major controversy has erupted over revelations that approximately TT$100 million worth of medical equipment was left unused, damaged, or outdated at the Couva Children’s Hospital and Multi-Training Facility. The issue came to light during the hospital’s rededication ceremony, where strong criticism was levelled at the former administration for allowing vital equipment to remain boxed, broken, or obsolete for years.
According to the report highlighted on the Daily Express front page, the current government condemned the state in which the equipment was discovered, describing it as a massive waste of public funds. The front-page story indicates that this unused inventory included machines and supplies essential to children’s healthcare—resources that could have significantly improved patient outcomes had they been deployed on time.
During the rededication event, the newspaper notes that the Prime Minister—named in the printed caption—posed with children who benefit from the Children’s Life Fund, marking the hospital’s renewed mission to support pediatric care. The photo underscores the importance of restoring full function to the facility after years of underuse.
The Daily Express also teases additional related coverage inside its pages, including an article on alleged labour exploitation as well as a report on concerns within the business community following the firing of the EximBank CEO.
With the hospital now active again, government officials say the focus is on ensuring that no such waste occurs in the future. Proper oversight, timely commissioning of equipment, and accountability for past shortcomings are expected to be central themes moving forward.
