Dr Gonsalves said that the centre is expected to be the most up-to-date medical facility in the country and arguably in the eastern Caribbean. The centre will offer additional services which include an operating theatre, surgical facilities, endoscopies facilities, ultrasound and X-Rays, a blood bank, laboratories, an intensive care unit, electrocardiogram facilities, ophthalmology and dental facilities. He said that although this may seem like all these services are offered by the MCM Hospital, what would be distinct about the Diagnostic Complex the ultra modern equipment that will be available there. It will also house the only centre for hemodialysis. Ten artificial kidneys will be placed at the centre with one being used for patients infected with HIV/AIDS, one for patients suffering from Hepatitis C, two for children and six for adults. The Prime Minister said that the designs for the Complex are completed and were done by the Cuban architects in conjunction with the technical staff of the Ministry of Works.

Cuba will also supply 40 technical workers to perform a number of highly skilled jobs that are required on the facility. However the 40 will not be here at any one time but will come according to how they are needed. The Cuban Government has already purchased the equipment needed for the Centre and this is valued at approximately EC$10-12 million; the over-all cost for the facility is estimated at EC$18m. The Cuban Government will also provide medical doctors and senior nursing staff skilled in particular areas. Training will also be provided to Vincentian Doctors and nurses at the facility by the Cuban professionals as it will also be a college hospital.

Dr. Gonsalves expressed profound thanks for the generosity of the Government and people of Cuba and asked the Foreign Minister to convey this to the Cuban President Fidel Castro.

In reply Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said that his Government is happy to be assisting St. Vincent and the Grenadines and that he is confident that the complex will have a great impact on the health care of this country. He said he has no doubt that the Complex will be finished on time. He said the centre will also serve as a symbol of co-operation and goals of the two countries.

The sod turning was witnessed by other Government officials including Minister of Works Clayton Burgin, Ambassador Dexter Rose and members of the Cuban delegation including the Vice Minister for the Office for Foreign Co-operation, Dr. Jillian Jimenez and other high ranking officials in that ministry.

The tour should have included a stop at the Argyle International Airport Site but that plan had to be abandoned. The delegation was however hosted for lunch at the IADC offices formerly P'Tani Resort.