Businessman leads protest for modern hospital in Arima

On the first of every month, at 1.30 pm, the Friends of Arima Hospital will protest outside the Arima Health Facility on Queen Mary Street. Businessman Balliram Maharaj, one of the founders of the organisation, said during a protest outside the facility yesterday that the eastern borough and environs had thousands of citizens who were in need of a modern hospital.

Members of the organisation held placards that said, “Mr Minister, Arima needs a hospital please” and “Arima people need a hospital now.” Maharaj said during the presentation of the 2012-2013 budget, Finance Minister Larry Howai promised to start construction of the Arima Hospital within the next 12 months.

“In 1985 we formed Friends of Arima Hospital. We were successful and it (the health facility) was built and sometime in the late 1990s we asked and the Government opened the Accident and Emergency wing. We were promised that there will be a maternity department and hospital,” he said.

“Howai promised that it will be built this year so we are here just kindly giving a gentle reminder to the minister. For years they promised us a hospital. One month has passed and we have seen no signs. Arima people really need this hospital.  We feel it is justified to do everything possible to get back the Arima Hospital for the people,” he said.