East Grand Bahama Member of Parliament Peter Turnquest is calling on the government to invest in Grand Bahama's healthcare facility, as there continues to be a "shortage of beds".
On Tuesday morning, Turnquest toured the Critical Care Block at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) with other Free National Movement (FNM) parliamentarians.
While Turnquest welcomes the construction of the facility in New Providence, he expressed disappointment in the government's decision to "scrap" the expansion plans for the Rand Memorial Hospital.
"I think it's very important because we know that there is a shortage of beds, and in particular there is a shortage in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Grand Bahama," he told reporters shortly after the tour.
"As we tour this facility here, a very impressive one I might add, I want to remind the government of their commitment to Grand Bahama, either to renovate and expand the existing facility, or to build a new hospital.
"In as much we are very proud of this facility, we certainly hope that they will live it up to their commitments to the residents of Grand Bahama and the northern Bahamas with respect to the new facility that is proposed for Grand Bahama.
"As you know, they scrapped the expansion of the existing facility through the use of the property that was acquired. And that's unfortunate."
Last March, the Ingraham-led administration had spent nearly $2 million to acquire the Island Palm Hotel. It was a move that the current Opposition Leader and former Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said marked another investment to improve healthcare in Grand Bahama.
The acquisition had come on the heels of $9 million in major renovations that were being undertaken at the Rand Memorial Hospital's Accident and Emergency Urgent Care Centre, and its operating theater and Day Surgical Unit, officials said.
"This huge step forward is another indication of the strategic planning of the PHA (Public Hospitals Authority) to fulfill its mandate to deliver comprehensive opportunities for healthcare for the residents of our country," Dr. Minnis said during the signing ceremony to seal the acquisition deal, which took place at the PHA offices in Centreville.
At the time, the former health minister said the acquisition is an example of the government's commitment to provide quality healthcare for the country's visitors and residents.
He also said the acquisition would provide a much-needed economic boost for Grand Bahama.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
