Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe has acknowledged the ongoing shortage of nurses in Trinidad and Tobago but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to opening the Couva Children’s Hospital. Speaking in response to queries about the facility’s readiness, Bodoe stated, “A plan is in place, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.” This follows Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath’s announcement on November 15 that the hospital is expected to admit its first group of young patients soon. Padarath made the remarks during his feature address at Bachhe Kaand 2025: The Children’s Chapter. However, Idi Stuart, president of the National Nursing Association, has raised concerns about staffing shortages, warning that opening a new hospital could strain resources and compromise patient care. When asked about Stuart’s concerns, Bodoe acknowledged the nurse shortage but emphasized ongoing efforts to address it through training and recruitment. He assured that all necessary resources, both human and material, would be allocated appropriately. Bodoe clarified that the hospital is not yet operational and confirmed that no patients are currently being treated there. He expressed hope for the facility’s opening by the end of the year, pending favorable conditions. The Couva Hospital, initially opened ceremoniously in August 2015 by then-Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has been a subject of political contention since its inception. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was repurposed as a treatment facility. Developed in partnership with Shanghai Construction Group International (Caribbean) Ltd., the hospital was designed to provide advanced medical services and support training in medicine, nursing, pharmacology, and optometry. The facility features two three-storey towers with a combined 230 beds, diagnostic and imaging units, surgical theaters, and a helipad for emergency airlifts. The initial reported cost of the project was $1.6 billion.