New Category : Health

Medical school and government have a strategic partnership, says wife of PM

Wed, May 17th 2023, 01:43 PM

The strategic partnership between Western Atlantic University and the Government of the Bahamas has the potential to create a diversified economy, said Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, while giving welcome remarks at Western Atlantic University School of Medicine's 5th White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Grand Lucayan Resort.

According to Mrs. Davis the government will break ground on the site of the new state-of-the-art hospital which is being designed to meet the needs of the growing, aging population as well as the increasing number of visitors to the island.

“It is expected as well, ladies and gentlemen, that at some point in the future this facility will not only be a teaching hospital like Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence, but it will facilitate medical research. It is hoped and expected that the deliberate expansion of our health care infrastructure will cause for a deepening and broadening of our current partnership.”

The mutually beneficial partnership, Mrs. Davis continued, has the potential to be the catalyst for growth into significant economic pillars of the economy where tourism, education, medical research, professional health care and delivery services create a diversified economy.

 Mrs. Davis congratulated those receiving white coats and pledging to preserve, protect and prolong human life when and where possible. To the parents, guardians and friends she said they should continue to support and encourage the students as they begin the most “intense and challenging years of their young lives.”

To the students she said no matter where their profession takes them, she wishes them success and they should also encourage anyone who would like to pursue a career in Medicine to attend the Western Atlantic University Freeport campus.

The strategic partnership between Western Atlantic University and the Government of the Bahamas has the potential to create a diversified economy, said Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, while giving welcome remarks at Western Atlantic University School of Medicine's 5th White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Grand Lucayan Resort. According to Mrs. Davis the government will break ground on the site of the new state-of-the-art hospital which is being designed to meet the needs of the growing, aging population as well as the increasing number of visitors to the island. “It is expected as well, ladies and gentlemen, that at some point in the future this facility will not only be a teaching hospital like Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence, but it will facilitate medical research. It is hoped and expected that the deliberate expansion of our health care infrastructure will cause for a deepening and broadening of our current partnership.” The mutually beneficial partnership, Mrs. Davis continued, has the potential to be the catalyst for growth into significant economic pillars of the economy where tourism, education, medical research, professional health care and delivery services create a diversified economy.   Mrs. Davis congratulated those receiving white coats and pledging to preserve, protect and prolong human life when and where possible. To the parents, guardians and friends she said they should continue to support and encourage the students as they begin the most “intense and challenging years of their young lives.” To the students she said no matter where their profession takes them, she wishes them success and they should also encourage anyone who would like to pursue a career in Medicine to attend the Western Atlantic University Freeport campus.

Groundbreaking on new hospital set for next week

Tue, May 9th 2023, 09:45 AM

Groundbreaking for the first phase of the new Grand Bahama hospital is now scheduled for one week from today. 

It was originally set for April, but the month passed with no event taking place, and no confirmation of where the new hospital will be located.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville said recently, "I am pleased to report to the media that, God willing, on 16th of May, we will be doing the groundbreaking for phase one of that facility, which will be built in two phases.

"Phase one will give us the urgent care facility that we need to subsidize what is going on at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH), while phase two is the building of our multi-story tower that will encompass many of the other needed services in Grand Bahama."

Darville also said that when the new hospital is completed, RMH will be downgraded to a secondary facility providing only geriatric and psychiatric care, except for the newly renovated operating theaters at the Rand, which will continue to be utilized.

RMH was flooded by Hurricane Dorian, resulting in major structural damage.

In January 2023, Darville said the government is expected to break ground for the hospital in the first quarter.

Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama Iram Lewis welcomed word of the groundbreaking.

Lewis could not confirm the site of the new hospital and said he has yet to view any architectural plans, but hopes Grand Bahama will get a facility "suitable" for its healthcare needs.

"The architect from the BECK Group is accomplished and very talented, so I am sure he will do a good job," Lewis said.

"I am hoping to see the plans. The FNM had a build-design for the hospital, which meant that the entire plan did not have to be complete prior to the start of construction.

"With that plan, the hospital would be [under construction and the design] ongoing at the same time, designing in sections as you build toward the completed project," he explained.

Speaking to the phased construction of the facility, Lewis said it is the best option, particularly if funding is an issue.

"Whether or not funding is an issue, I do not know, but phasing the work is best because you want to get the work started," he said.

"However, we hope that the phase build will be continuous, not just completing the first section, letting it sit for one or two years before starting the second phase.

"I am excited about the news because it is long awaited."

Catherine MacLeay, estate agent with HG Christie, said healthcare is a major factor when it comes to concerns expressed by second homeowners.

"It is the first question they ask after deciding Grand Bahama is the place where they want to purchase a second home," said MacLeay, who has over 20 years' experience in the sector.

She said having a modern facility on the island will be a welcome part of the conversation to have with potential clients.

"Particularly the Canadians," she noted. "Healthcare in Canada is very different and they want to feel safe here if they have a health situation."

While commending the government for the renovations made at the present hospital facility, MacLeay pointed out that she could not speak with her clients as to whether there were adequate doctors and nursing care.

"Granted, the hospital looks absolutely phenomenal compared to what it was," she said. "It is one of the first places I take my clients on tour. They need to know what's there, so, having a new hospital that provides adequate service, which is a basic human need, will absolutely change the conversation."

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Health Minister attends CARPHA Awards Banquet honouring research recipient

Tue, May 2nd 2023, 01:42 PM

The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness, attended an Awards Banquet, of the 67th Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Annual Health Research Conference, on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.  Professor Donald T. Simeon, Director, Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the West Indies, received the award “For outstanding contribution to building research capacity and advancing evidence-based health policy.”  Pictured L-R: Professor Simeon; Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director, CARPHA; and the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness.   

PMH Hours Of Operation & Visiting Hours

Thu, Apr 27th 2023, 01:42 PM

The public is reminded of the e-visitor management system and those entering the hospital should cooperate with security to gain access to the facility.

Visitors are required to check in at the reception desk at the hospital’s main entrance in the Critical Care Block (CCB) to receive a visitors pass.

PMH continues to observe COVID-19 prevention measures including the wearing offacemasks and hand sanitization for staff and visitors. Persons not wearing facemasks willnot be allowed to enter the hospital.

Persons seeking to access the hospital are reminded:

• PMH Business Office: - Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Patient Registration: - twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
• Visiting Hours:

o PMH General Wards -
▪ Monday to Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and
▪ Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
o ICU: - 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
o NICU: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• PMH Pharmacy Outpatient Services:
o Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
o Online WhatsApp Submission accepted at: 242-424-3642

• Specialty Clinic Appointment Scheduling:
o Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
o Twenty-four (24) hour WhatsApp Service at 242-808-9972

Hospital Management is grateful for your cooperation.

The public is reminded of the e-visitor management system and those entering the hospital should cooperate with security to gain access to the facility. Visitors are required to check in at the reception desk at the hospital’s main entrance in the Critical Care Block (CCB) to receive a visitors pass. PMH continues to observe COVID-19 prevention measures including the wearing of facemasks and hand sanitization for staff and visitors. Persons not wearing facemasks will not be allowed to enter the hospital. Persons seeking to access the hospital are reminded: • PMH Business Office: - Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Patient Registration: - twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. • Visiting Hours: o PMH General Wards - ▪ Monday to Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and ▪ Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. o ICU: - 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. o NICU: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. • PMH Pharmacy Outpatient Services: o Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. o Online WhatsApp Submission accepted at: 242-424-3642 • Specialty Clinic Appointment Scheduling: o Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. o Twenty-four (24) hour WhatsApp Service at 242-808-9972 Hospital Management is grateful for your cooperation.