August 12, 2025
Ministry of Health Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Healthcare System Improvements
Port of Spain, August 12, 2025: The Ministry of Health notes the recent Sunday Express opinion piece titled “Unhealthy Healthcare” dated 10 August 2025 and wishes to clarify several points to ensure the public has accurate and up-to-date information on the state of Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare system.
In accordance with Section 66D of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Health is required to submit an Annual Report on the Exercise of its Functions and Powers to the President for subsequent laying in each House of Parliament. These reports detail the services provided to citizens, along with the relevant health statistics.
Contrary to claims that statistical reports have not been published since 2011, the Ministry confirms that Annual Reports inclusive from 2011 through 2023 have been completed, submitted and laid in Parliament. These reports are a matter of public record and outline the performance and scope of the national healthcare system, inclusive of health statistics, across the country’s 12 public hospitals, 98 health centres and 5 district facilities.
The 2024 Annual Report is currently being finalised for Cabinet’s consideration and will be submitted to the President for onward laying in Parliament.
The Ministry recognises that public demand for health services is significant and that foreign medical missions, such as the recent visits by the US Navy Ship Comfort and Hands International, provide valued supplementary care to our citizens, and we express our appreciation to these organisations for their service and commitment to humanity.
While the Ministry welcomes the contribution of international medical missions, these initiatives complement, rather than replace, the extensive services already available to citizens through the public healthcare system.
Within the last three months, the Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, the Minister of Health, has spearheaded the following initiatives:
- Extended opening hours at selected health centres
- Commissioned a committee to address surgery wait times, and
- Initiated a review of CDAP, which received Cabinet approval recently
Dr. Lackram Bodoe noted, “We acknowledge that challenges exist, but we remain resolute in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare to all citizens. This is not an overnight process, but a journey that requires strategic investment, collaboration, and innovation”.
The Ministry of Health assures the public that the reform and modernisation of Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare system remains a top priority and is committed to evidence-based policy, transparency and sustained investment in public health, ensuring that every citizen has access to the care they need.
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