If the PNM is elected into office on September 7, they will cut funding to the health sector to finance their $60 billion dollar rapid rail project. That was the warning from former chairman of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) Dr Lackram Bodoe when he spoke a UNC political meeting in Point Fortin on Saturday evening.
Bodoe, who is contesting the Fyzabad seat under a UNC banner, said the PNM has admitted to not having a plan to pay for the rapid rail. “Their only policy is to build a $60 billion dollar rapid rail, They have admitted they have no plan to pay for it,” Bodoe said. “They don’t care that it will mean savage cuts to our healthcare, that it will threaten the services that you and your family depend on.”
Bodoe said the cuts would include specialist services at hospitals. “They will get rid of the specialists that help you out in emergency matters at the hospitals you need. The PNM’s railroad will impact on the services you depend on.” He said the cuts would also include jobs in the health sector.
“How many of you are nurses, doctors and work in the health sector? Under the PNM government you are all being threatened! In nine days time we will reject them and their rapid rail just like we did in 2010,” he said
The UNC candidate for Point Fortin, Ravi Ratiram, lashed out at the PNM’s outgoing MP, Paula Gopee-Scoon, saying she had neglected her constituents. “The biggest complaint I got on my walkabouts was that she did nothing for them. A lot of people did not even know who she is,” he said. “She said she was not going to go back up, because it was too far for her, but like it was too far even while she was the MP.”
Ratiram said the PNM’s manifesto promises to upgrades to the Point Fortin Health Facility that had already been done by the PP. “The PNM don’t pass the Lighthouse. They don’t keep in touch with Point Fortin, they do not even know that upgrade has already been done by the PP and the Prime Minister,” he said.
Kamla: Stay strong
In just seven days, the nation will go to the polls and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is urging supporters to stay strong until then. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Point Fortin on Saturday night, Persad-Bissessar said as the time gets shorter, the Opposition PNM will become more desperate.
“When Parliament was dissolved I warned you to be prepared and I told you they would come with every manner of lies and tricks and so said, so done,” she said.
“As we go into this last week they will become more desperate, more vicious, but I ask you stay strong, be brave and stay focused and we will win! Victory is at hand!”
Persad-Biussessar told supporters three more Coast Guard vessels will added to the three commissioned last week. “Three more ships are on the way and that will continue to work to keep the gun runners off and to keep away those who are trafficking humans,” she said.
“You are waterlogged by the sea and those ships will be very important to keep you in Point Fortin, Icacos and Cedros safe.”