Prime Minister Christie, at podium, gives the keynote address at PMH Renovations Contract Signing, September 28, 2016. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie remarked that pregnancy and childbirth remain among the leading causes of hospitalization around the world and, according to the World Health Organization, more than 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day.

"This sad statistic underscores that while the vast majority of pregnancies proceed without complication and result in safe delivery and a healthy newborn, pregnancy and childbirth can always present significant health risks without access to the relevant health services," Prime Minister Christie said, during the Contract Signing Ceremony for the Maternity and Male Surgical Wards I and II Renovations, September 28, 2016.

"So, for the Government of The Bahamas, providing adequate antenatal and maternal medical care is essentially important within the context of our public health system," he added. "The vast majority of women across our archipelago utilize our public health system to access care throughout their pregnancy. Indeed, on average, 75 per cent of live births in The Bahamas are recorded right here at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Maternity Ward."

It is against that backdrop Prime Minister Christie said that he was pleased to announce, therefore, that those works will take place for the benefit of new mothers and their babies who utilize the services at PMH.

"What this interim expansion and renovation of the maternity ward at Princess Margaret Hospital will achieve, is an equitable standard of care that allows women and families of all racial, ethnic, and economic groups, to have access to the same high quality care," Prime Minister Christie said.

Prime Minister Christie referred to other developments for the Princess Margaret Hospital under the contract, such as improvements for the male surgical wards and the legacy entrance of the hospital. He added that followup announcements will be with respect to the Accident & Emergency department’s targeted capital works.

Prime Minister Christie shared anecdotes about his usage of PMH for his healthcare concerns. He singled out the work of the professional nurses there. His mother was also a nurse.

We rely so heavily upon you," Prime Minister Christie said. "I want to end this by simply by saying, in honouring my Mum -- doctors, no exception -- you nurses who have been the bulwark and the platform that we are building on, I thank you so much for all you have been able to do in the service of your country.

"May God bless you and may God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas."

By Eric Rose

Bahamas Information Services