In December 2022, the Ministry of Health & Wellness determined that the daily COVID19 Report Dashboard and the weekly Bahamas COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker wouldbe combined and published monthly as a COVID-19 Case and Vaccine Status Report.

This monthly report would contain a summary of the information pertaining to eachmonth and published on or before the 7th day of the subsequent month. Due tounavoidable circumstances, the commencement of this cycle of reporting was delayed.

However, the report for February, 2023 is being released today, and March 2023 will bereleased in a few days. Monthly reports for December 2022 and January 2023 willfollow shortly thereafter with adherence to the proposed pattern of reporting in May forthe April summary.

The public is encouraged to continue following the preventative measures such asproper handwashing, mask wearing as appropriate, and physical distancing. Theseactivities, along with becoming vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus help to minimizethe spread of COVID-19.

 

In December 2022, the Ministry of Health & Wellness determined that the daily COVID19 Report Dashboard and the weekly Bahamas COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker would be combined and published monthly as a COVID-19 Case and Vaccine Status Report. This monthly report would contain a summary of the information pertaining to each month and published on or before the 7th day of the subsequent month. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the commencement of this cycle of reporting was delayed. However, the report for February, 2023 is being released today, and March 2023 will be released in a few days. Monthly reports for December 2022 and January 2023 will follow shortly thereafter with adherence to the proposed pattern of reporting in May for the April summary. The public is encouraged to continue following the preventative measures such as proper handwashing, mask wearing as appropriate, and physical distancing. These activities, along with becoming vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus help to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Bahamasair held a Blood Drive in collaboration with Doctor's Hospital on Wednesday, March 29, at Doctors Hospital, Blake Road.  Bahamasair staff are pictured performing their civic duty. 

 

 The primary aim of the newly launched Wellness Unit is to provide an opportunity for Bahamians to manage their own health and well-being. That, according to the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville during the official launch of the Wellness Unit under the theme: 'Your Wellness Matters.'  The ceremony took place Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Baha Mar Resort.  Prime Minister the Hon Philip Davis delivered the keynote address. “This morning I am truly humbled to be a part of the launch of my ministry’s Wellness Unit here at the beautiful Baha Mar Resort,” Dr. Darville said. “To be very honest, over the next few years this essential unit will become one of the cornerstones at the Ministry of Health & Wellness and I remain grateful to the Bahamian people and our Prime Minister for affording me this wonderful opportunity to serve as minister with the responsibility for the health and wellness of the nation,” he added. The creation of the Wellness Unit is in keeping with the Davis Administration’s 'Blueprint for Change,' which speaks to a transformative healthcare agenda as a key priority. And, during his last Budget contribution, Dr. Darville identified a new line item specifically aimed at targeting Health and Wellness Programs, the collection of evidence--based data and research that will help shape healthcare policies and protocols.   “My ministry’s Wellness Unit will lead the charge in each community to ensure that young and old alike benefit from programs that aim to promote positive lifestyle changes with specific focus on nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing,” Dr. Darville said.   “I am excited where we are going and moving forward; this new Wellness Unit will lead the way in convincing Bahamians everywhere to play an active role in the management of their own health,” he added. The minister shared that the local and international epidemiological evidence confirms that properly managed wellness programs, combined with positive lifestyle modifications, have become essential healthcare tools in reducing premature death and improving favorable health outcomes across the country.   “A healthy nation is not only important for our development, but also lowers the cost in delivering quality primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services,” Dr. Darville said. He continued, “Having a nation that is healthy is paramount to succession planning and going forward wellness must be fully engrafted into our national developmental plan because Your Wellness Truly Matters!” He noted that since coming to office in 2021 his team at the Ministry of Health & Wellness have been working fervently to assess and evaluate the current needs of the healthcare system, “while implementing strategies and initiatives aimed at improving, reassessing, reevaluating, and taking action to ensure that our healthcare system operates efficiently within the set parameters of my ministry’s overall vision for healthcare.” He assured that throughout the country, his ministry is conducting major clinic infrastructural upgrades, adjusting protocols and implementing digital platforms inclusive of a new-digital medical record, a game changer in the delivery of primary healthcare and emergency medical transport services. “But I cannot overemphasize the importance wellness and medical screening play in the early detection of diseases and swift treatment strategy at the community level that will save lives,” he stressed. Dr. Darville also said that the recruitment of specialty medical manpower resources and training for Bahamian healthcare professionals is currently at the forefront of his ministry’s aggressive agenda in order to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare.   “As we speak recruitment is ongoing not only to fill the gaps that currently exist across the country but to add additional tools necessary to change negative behavioral patterns associated with the high incidence of non-compliance,” he said. A few months ago, Dr. Darville laid in Parliament the new National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill that will repeal and replace the current 2016 NHI Act. This new legislation will cause his ministry to jump-start the expansion of primary healthcare services and make way for public healthcare clinics to become providers in the NHI network. “This is big and will pave the way for catastrophic healthcare,” he said. Dr. Darville further noted that on March 22, 2023 in the House of Assembly, he reported on the “shocking findings” in the recent National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Risk Factor STEPS Survey. “We intend to turn the corner and my team of healthcare professionals will work along with the Pan American Health Organization, the Healthy Bahamas Coalition, private sector groups, specialists in the industry and Bahamians everywhere to ensure meaningful changes happen,” he said.

The primary aim of the newly launched Wellness Unit is to provide an opportunity for Bahamians to manage their own health and well-being.

That, according to the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville during the official launch of the Wellness Unit under the theme: 'Your Wellness Matters.'  The ceremony took place Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Baha Mar Resort.  Prime Minister the Hon Philip Davis delivered the keynote address.

“This morning I am truly humbled to be a part of the launch of my ministry’s Wellness Unit here at the beautiful Baha Mar Resort,” Dr. Darville said.

“To be very honest, over the next few years this essential unit will become one of the cornerstones at the Ministry of Health & Wellness and I remain grateful to the Bahamian people and our Prime Minister for affording me this wonderful opportunity to serve as minister with the responsibility for the health and wellness of the nation,” he added.

The creation of the Wellness Unit is in keeping with the Davis Administration’s 'Blueprint for Change,' which speaks to a transformative healthcare agenda as a key priority.

And, during his last Budget contribution, Dr. Darville identified a new line item specifically aimed at targeting Health and Wellness Programs, the collection of evidence--based data and research that will help shape healthcare policies and protocols.

“My ministry’s Wellness Unit will lead the charge in each community to ensure that young and old alike benefit from programs that aim to promote positive lifestyle changes with specific focus on nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing,” Dr. Darville said.

“I am excited where we are going and moving forward; this new Wellness Unit will lead the way in convincing Bahamians everywhere to play an active role in the management of their own health,” he added.

The minister shared that the local and international epidemiological evidence confirms that properly managed wellness programs, combined with positive lifestyle modifications, have become essential healthcare tools in reducing premature death and improving favorable health outcomes across the country.

“A healthy nation is not only important for our development, but also lowers the cost in delivering quality primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services,” Dr. Darville said.

He continued, “Having a nation that is healthy is paramount to succession planning and going forward wellness must be fully engrafted into our national developmental plan because Your Wellness Truly Matters!”

He noted that since coming to office in 2021 his team at the Ministry of Health & Wellness have been working fervently to assess and evaluate the current needs of the healthcare system, “while implementing strategies and initiatives aimed at improving, reassessing, reevaluating, and taking action to ensure that our healthcare system operates efficiently within the set parameters of my ministry’s overall vision for healthcare.”

He assured that throughout the country, his ministry is conducting major clinic infrastructural upgrades, adjusting protocols and implementing digital platforms inclusive of a new-digital medical record, a game changer in the delivery of primary healthcare and emergency medical transport services.

“But I cannot overemphasize the importance wellness and medical screening play in the early detection of diseases and swift treatment strategy at the community level that will save lives,” he stressed.

Dr. Darville also said that the recruitment of specialty medical manpower resources and training for Bahamian healthcare professionals is currently at the forefront of his ministry’s aggressive agenda in order to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare.

“As we speak recruitment is ongoing not only to fill the gaps that currently exist across the country but to add additional tools necessary to change negative behavioral patterns associated with the high incidence of non-compliance,” he said.

A few months ago, Dr. Darville laid in Parliament the new National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill that will repeal and replace the current 2016 NHI Act.

This new legislation will cause his ministry to jump-start the expansion of primary healthcare services and make way for public healthcare clinics to become providers in the NHI network.

“This is big and will pave the way for catastrophic healthcare,” he said.

Dr. Darville further noted that on March 22, 2023 in the House of Assembly, he reported on the “shocking findings” in the recent National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Risk Factor STEPS Survey.

“We intend to turn the corner and my team of healthcare professionals will work along with the Pan American Health Organization, the Healthy Bahamas Coalition, private sector groups, specialists in the industry and Bahamians everywhere to ensure meaningful changes happen,” he said.

 

The Princess Margaret Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Colleen Fitzcharles as Director of Operating Theatre at the hospital. Dr. Fitzcharles obtained her medicaldegree at the University of the West Indies Jamaica campus where she cultivated her interest inPlastic and Reconstructed surgery. She received further training at Dalhousie University/ Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Nova Scotia Canada where she obtained her FRCSC in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Fitzcharles returned home to The Bahamas as the first Bahamian female surgeon at ThePrincess Margaret Hospital and The Doctors Hospital. She is well recognised for her contributions to hand surgery in the Bahamas and is responsible for starting the comprehensive hand clinic.

Although Dr. Fitzcharles is keenly focused on reconstructive surgery, she also performs burns surgery and cosmetic procedures such as breast reduction and abdominoplasties.

When Dr. Fitzcharles is not taking care of patients at The Princess Margaret Hospital, Doctors Hospital or her office, Bahamas Centre for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, she is often found teaching medical students and surgical residents at the University of The West Indies Bahamas campus where she is an associate lecturer.

The Board of Directors, Managing Director and staff join Princess Margaret Hospital incongratulating Dr. Colleen Fitzcharles on her appointment as Director Operating Theatre.

 

The Princess Margaret Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Colleen Fitzcharles as Director of Operating Theatre at the hospital. Dr. Fitzcharles obtained her medical degree at the University of the West Indies Jamaica campus where she cultivated her interest in Plastic and Reconstructed surgery. She received further training at Dalhousie University/ Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Nova Scotia Canada where she obtained her FRCSC in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Fitzcharles returned home to The Bahamas as the first Bahamian female surgeon at The Princess Margaret Hospital and The Doctors Hospital. She is well recognised for her contributions to hand surgery in the Bahamas and is responsible for starting the comprehensive hand clinic. Although Dr. Fitzcharles is keenly focused on reconstructive surgery, she also performs burns surgery and cosmetic procedures such as breast reduction and abdominoplasties. When Dr. Fitzcharles is not taking care of patients at The Princess Margaret Hospital, Doctors Hospital or her office, Bahamas Centre for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, she is often found teaching medical students and surgical residents at the University of The West Indies Bahamas campus where she is an associate lecturer. The Board of Directors, Managing Director and staff join Princess Margaret Hospital in congratulating Dr. Colleen Fitzcharles on her appointment as Director Operating Theatre.