标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A heated debate unfolded in Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives as Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe and Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert clashed over a $100 million budget allocation for the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility (CHMTF). The dispute occurred during the Standing Finance Committee’s deliberations on October 23, which aimed to approve a $7.04 billion budgetary allocation for the Health Ministry. Imbert questioned the significant funding for the CHMTF, which the opposition UNC plans to rename the Couva Children’s Hospital, while noting the absence of allocations for hospitals in Arima, Point Fortin, and Sangre Grande. He criticized the government for what he termed political discrimination, arguing that hospitals built under the former PNM administration were being neglected. Bodoe defended the allocation, stating that the Couva hospital had been neglected under the PNM and required substantial investment. He highlighted issues discovered during a post-election visit, including underutilization and non-functional medical equipment. The debate also touched on 515 vacancies in the Health Ministry, with Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo attributing the issue to the previous PNM government. Imbert further questioned the allocation of $16 million to pay lower-level employees at the North West Regional Health Authority, suggesting potential inefficiencies. The session grew contentious, prompting Speaker Jagdeo Singh to call for order. The exchange underscores the ongoing political tensions and challenges in Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare sector.

The 2025-2026 Budget, unveiled on October 13 by Trinidad and Tobago’s new administration, has been hailed by some as a blueprint for hope and transformation. Under the theme “T&T First: Building Economic Fairness through Accountable Fiscal Policies,” Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo presented a polished and thematic budget that signaled strategic realignments across ministries. However, for advocates of mental health and inclusion, the budget fell short of delivering the urgent and transformative changes needed for vulnerable groups. While the government pledged to decentralize mental health services and promote community-based care, the plan lacked critical details such as timelines, infrastructure, and workforce development. The Social Sector Investment Programme highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s third-place ranking in the Caribbean for mental illness prevalence, yet the budget’s response to this crisis was deemed tepid. Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor, a psychologist and educator, criticized the absence of targeted measures for people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. Despite growing advocacy for mental health reform and inclusion, the budget failed to address systemic barriers or integrate mental health literacy into the education system. Dr. Nakhid-Chatoor emphasized that true economic fairness requires more than rebranding; it demands a reimagining of progress, urgent investment in community-based care, and the embedding of inclusion into every ministry. She called for a redrawing of the track—one that is urgent, accountable, and inclusive of every citizen—to break the cycle of marginalization and ensure measurable outcomes.

A significant legal battle has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago as Denesh Maharaj, a Piarco resident, challenges the legality of his detention under the 2025 state of emergency regulations. Maharaj, who faces charges of firearm and ammunition possession, as well as marijuana trafficking, was detained by police and later subjected to a preventative detention order. His legal team, comprising Keron Ramkhalawan, Anwar Hosein, and Shalini Sankar, contends that his detention was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights to liberty and due process under Sections 4(a), 4(b), and 5(2)(h) of the Constitution. Maharaj seeks declarations that the order authorizing his extended detention was illegal, along with damages and costs. The case raises critical questions about the police’s authority to extend detention periods under emergency regulations, particularly beyond the 48-hour limit without proper oversight. Maharaj’s attorneys argue that his initial arrest was conducted under common law, not emergency powers, and that the subsequent use of emergency regulations to prolong his detention was unjustified. At a recent hearing, Justice Seepersad expressed concern over the absence of state representation and emphasized the need for proper attendance at future proceedings. The case has been adjourned to January 14, 2026, while a related constitutional challenge regarding the police’s power to extend detention periods remains pending a ruling from the Privy Council on the legality of the 2011 state of emergency regulations.

During a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on October 23, Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young raised critical questions regarding the allocation of funds for small guest houses and the regulation of the scrap metal industry. Young directed his inquiries to Trade, Investment, and Tourism Minister Satyakama Maharaj, emphasizing the potential of small guest houses to generate foreign exchange revenues for Trinidad and Tobago (TT). He questioned whether the $1.5 million allocated to the ministry was adequate to support these establishments, particularly given the rising costs of imported materials due to recent tariffs. Maharaj responded by outlining the ministry’s targeted approach to hotel development, citing ongoing projects such as Tradewinds in San Fernando and Crews Inn in Chaguaramas. He also mentioned efforts to attract private sector investment, including potential collaborations with foreign hotel chains like Best Western. However, Young expressed concerns that the current funding might not suffice for smaller guest houses seeking assistance throughout the year. On the topic of the scrap metal industry, Young inquired about the adequacy of the $400,000 budget for regulatory measures, recalling past efforts to curb criminal activities in the sector. Maharaj assured that the allocated funds would be sufficient, with additional support available if needed. The minister also highlighted the ministry’s broader mission to diversify the economy and strengthen the non-energy sector through strategic planning and robust management.