GPHC moves to court again to clear vendors blocking hospital access

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has filed another Fixed Date Application in the High Court seeking orders to compel the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown to remove vendors and other obstructions from streets surrounding the hospital. According to court documents, the application was filed against the Town Clerk of the City of Georgetown under the court’s judicial review jurisdiction.

The GPHC is asking the court to grant an order of mandamus requiring M&CC’s officials to clear mobile vendors, stalls, trucks and other items from key roadways around the hospital. The affected areas include sections of Lamaha Street, East Street, New Market Street, and Middle Street, which border the hospital’s compound in North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

In its application, filled by Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, GPHC argues that the presence of vendors and other encumbrances has significantly obstructed access to the facility. The hospital stated that these obstructions have impeded the movement of staff, patients and emergency vehicles, raising concerns about the delivery of medical services.

The filing also alleges that vendors leave waste and debris along the pavements and roadways, contributing to unsanitary conditions in the vicinity of the hospital. The hospital also outlined several attempts to resolve the matter with city authorities stating that letters were sent to the council on April 30, May 7, 2024, and January 5, 2026, requesting the removal of vendors and warning of legal action if the issue was not addressed.

While the council initially indicated a willingness to resolve the matter, the hospital claims no effective action was taken. The application further contends that under the Municipal and District Councils Act, the city authorities have a statutory duty to keep streets and pavements clear. The GPHC argues that this duty is mandatory and has not been fulfilled.

The hospital is also seeking costs and any additional relief the court considers appropriate. On January 7, this newspaper had published an article stating that in what appears to be an attempt to avoid enforcement, some vendors were choosing to occupy spaces near the GPHC in the late afternoon and late-night hours, despite a court order for their removal. This was revealed by Town Clerk Candace Nelson revealed in an interview with this publication. Nelson said she had again received a lawyer’s letter regarding plans to seek a mandamus from the court and explained to this publication that said that she had passed by the area near GPHC in the morning period and noticed approximately only three vendors. She said two of them had their goods set up but were not selling, while only one was actively trading at the corner of New Market and East Street.

She added that the other vendors go out in the afternoon, through the night and on the weekends when the M&CC does not patrol that area. This is not an isolated situation, other businesses, including Muneshwers, Banks DIH and Yhips Bakery among others had previously taken legal action to remove unauthorised vendors from their premises.