$26M upgraded psych ward at National Referral Hospital near completion- Health Minister

The 18-bed upgraded psych ward at the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje, Berbice, is nearing completion. The upgrade was tipped at $26 million.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony related this during his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday.

“It is almost complete and we will continue to expand the facility for patients,” Dr. Anthony said.

Back in June, a fight that broke out between three male patients at the facility led to a fire that left several patients injured, while others escaped and were subsequently recaptured.

Though some security measures were put in place, a second fire occurred on August 9 and destroyed another section of the building.

Considering the foregoing, the Health Minister said that part of that $26 million sum was used to further enhance the security to prevent incidents like the aforementioned.

“We put in additional safety measures and also put in more beds in the facility to ensure that we can accommodate a larger number of patients,” Dr. Anthony added.