Dr. Michael Darville

GRAND Bahama Minister Dr. Michael Darville stressed that the government is committed to the future development of medical infrastructure and quality medical services in Grand Bahama.

“Indeed, as we look to the future the forecast for Grand Bahama remains bright,” he said on Monday as the government signed two contracts worth nearly $4m for major improvements at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Freeport.

The minister also pledged that a series of official announcements will be made shortly with respect to the construction of a new state-of-the-art, 61,000 sq ft Freeport Community Clinic, the first phase of the new hospital promised for residents in Grand Bahama.

He noted that the expansion of RMH will result in improved layout of the main physical plant to increase clinical area and improve workflow and efficiency.

“We will be able to provide better care to the public today and for years to come. These initiatives highlight the Bahamian-first philosophy of this administration and the patient-first philosophy at Public Hospitals Authority,” Dr. Darville said.

He added that RMH has made significant impact as a result of the many infrastructural upgrades, including the upgrading and expansion of surgical suites, the trauma bay at the emergency department, as well as services offered to the public.

He noted that the project falls under the umbrella of the national health system strengthening initiative, which is a part of the comprehensive plan put in place by consultants prior to the launch of National Health Insurance.

Dr. Darville also said he is pleased with the progress of expansion work underway at the West End Clinic.

“I toured the site on Saturday, and I am pleased about the progress being made,” he reported.

The expansion of the West End Clinic, he said, follows refurbishment of High Rock Clinic, Sweetings Cay Clinic, and McLeans Town Clinic in East Grand Bahama, as well as full renovation of the Hawksbill Clinic.

Dr. Darville added that patient load was reduced at the Rand’s Accident and Emergency Department due to the extension of operating hours at Eight Mile Rock Clinic, the RMH Outpatient Clinic, the Specialty Clinic, and Non-communicable Disease Clinic at Pearce Plaza.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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