Caption: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, second right, shakes the hand of Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, second left, as Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Yang Han, left, and Minister of Energy Stuart Young look on at the unveiling of the plaque of the Central Block of the Port of Spain General Hospital
By Prior Beharry
IN one of his last addresses as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley vows to defend the sovereignty of the nation.
He made the comment on Monday while speaking at “The Achievement of the Practical Completion of the Construction of the Port of Spain General Hospital Central Block.” The prime minister said he will give up the prime ministership on Sunday and hand it over to Energy Minister Sturat Young.
Dr Rowley said there were people encouraging the United States to take away T&T citizens visas to go to that country.
He said, “I just came back from California and if I never go back there in my life, I would ensure that the sovereignty of T&T is known to its people and respected by all.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labour export programme.
He said that the policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for or involved in the Cuban labour export programme, especially ythe country’s overseas medical missions. The policy also applies to the immediate family of such persons.
Dr Rowley said that for healthcare delivery T&T employs specialists from India, Philippines, India and Africa.
He added, “Out of the blue, now we are being called human traffickers… because we hire technical people, who we pay top dollar equal to local rates.”
Dr Rowley said T&T was being accused of taking part in the programme interpreted that people were being exploited.”
He praised the healthcare workers for their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Rowley said, “But good news doesn’t sell.
“If one person goes into a public hospital, and one medication is not present, ‘O God, the health system collapse’ and they have a handful of people behind them to beat that drum.
“That is not to say that everything is perfect.
“It is to say that we must acknowledge where people, especially professionals, people at every level of the system are doing what they are required to do to ensure that the rest of us have the best day that we can have.”
