Barbados will have a new state-of-the-art public laboratory facility in the near future, with the final details being ironed out in the first quarter of 2011.

This was announced by Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, following a tour of the Winston Scott Polyclinic’s Public Health Laboratory at Jemmott’s Lane, St. Michael this morning.

The Minister revealed that Cabinet had taken the decision to amalgamate the three existing facilities – the Winston Scott Polyclinic, Ladymeade Reference Unit and the Leptospiro laboratories into one facility.

"We decided as a Cabinet to construct one facility that would now house the three labs in the public sector. We are working with the Ministry of Housing and Lands to identify the site. We have started discussions with various parties, including the US administration, to secure funding and technical support for the construction of the lab," Mr. Inniss pointed out.

He said the new lab would provide Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean with a top of the line facility, which would cater to a wide range of needs.

The Health Minister disclosed that work would also resume on the St. John Polyclinic in the New Year.

"It has been outstanding for years. We have reached the stage where the professionals have completed their drawings and additional design work and…. I expect that the contract would be awarded for construction work to start before the end of the current financial year," Mr. Inniss stated.

He added that it would cost in the region of 15 million dollars to complete and equip the polyclinic.??askeete@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Andr?? Skeete

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