Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling commended the Grand Bahama community for their “efforts in bringing comfort and support to those in the country who have suffered so many losses”, including those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.

During her remarks at a ceremony held during a visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital, Friday, December 11, the Governor General also acknowledged the ceremony’s theme, ‘A new vision for a brighter journey’.

She said, “Among other things, I am sure that this serves as a reminder of the recent Bright Journey Eye project provided jointly by our Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

“I am advised that the programme was highly successful, and given the example presented today, I can better understand the meaning and value of that programme. Indeed the recipients now have clearer vision, which will enrich their lives and their level of enjoyment during the holidays and beyond.”

The Governor General also acknowledged the partnership that now exists between the Grand Bahama Health Services and the Charles Hayward Library. Staff will now be able to access medical library services and thereby enhance meeting the critical requirements of accreditation standards for teaching hospitals.

Also addressing the gathering was the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, who brought remarks on behalf of the Minister of Health who could not be there.

The Minister listed some of the successes of the Grand Bahama Health Services for the year. He said 21 people graduated from the Grand Bahama Health Services Cadet Programme, six of whom are presently enrolled in The College of The Bahamas’ Nursing Programme.

He noted that two Registered Nurses were trained in medical/surgical nursing; one Registered Nurse trained in Paediatric techniques in China; and three Registered Nurses completed the BSN Programme at the University of the West Indies and Walden University.

The Minister said, “At Grand Bahama Health Services there is ongoing strengthening of the discharge planning process, in an effort to reduce hospitalisation, re-admission and operational costs.

“It is important to note that due to the unique structure of Grand Bahama Health Services, Grand Bahama is taking the lead and will serve as a model for discharge planning throughout The Bahamas.

He added, “The benefits of our Immunisation Programme in Grand Bahama, which is envied by the region, has seen an expansion of its services to include the HPV Vaccine to boys and girls ages nine – 12 years; a programme which was introduced by the Ministry of Health and implemented in Grand Bahama.”

As a result of the demand, Minister Darville said, the Ministry will seek to relocate the Freeport Clinic or create a larger centre in 2016. He mentioned the meetings being held on the “master planning for Grand Bahama” and the establishment and construction of the first community clinic in Freeport, which will be phase 1 of the new Rand Memorial Hospital.

“This administration has determined that now is the opportune time to align the vision and processes behind our healthcare developmental projects; in order to ensure that the outcomes are aligned with the expectations of the Bahamian people, and meet the rigorous standards that will be imposed by the implementation of universal healthcare, through the mechanism of National Health Insurance.

“The essential aim of National Health Insurance is to improve the health of Bahamians by creating better access to quality healthcare services - particularly primary healthcare services.

He said, “Realising this goal, demands the achievement of a consistent standard of care across all of our public hospitals and clinics. Over the last two years, the Public Hospital Authority, the full support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Grand Bahama, has renovated all outlying clinics on Grand Bahama and Sweeting’s Cay, with the exception of the West End Clinic, which will undergo extensive renovations and new construction early next year.

“Hence, it is safe to say that we are well on our way to being fully prepared for the launch of National Health Insurance, and the implementation of quality universal primary health care throughout Grand Bahama.”

Those retiring were honoured. They include: Mrs. Shirley Weech, retired chief housekeeper 1988 (40 years) and Volunteer Services Coordinator 2004-2015 (11.5 years); Dr. Gerhard Klassen, Consultant, Surgery - 6 years; Mrs. Enid Pinder, Administrative Assistant II, Administration - 11 years; Dr. Jean Turnquest, Clinical Director, Psychiatry - 38 years; Mrs. Valarie Mullings, Nursing Officer I, Community Health Services - 40 years; and Mr. Alexander P. Burrows, Acting Financial Controller - 47 years.

Following the official ceremony, the Governor General toured both the Charles Hayward Library and the hospital where she distributed gifts to patients in the Paediatric Ward, and then oversaw the Commissioning of the Shirley Weech Gift Shop. 

HONOUREES RECOGNIZED - During the annual visit of the Governor General to the Rand Memorial Hospital on Friday, the Retirees were honoured. Shown from left are: Sharon Williams, Hospital Administrator and Executive Management Committee; Enid Pinder, Retiree; Shirley Weech, Retiree; Sen. the Hon. Frank Smith, Chairman of the Board of the Public Hospitals Authority; Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Governor General of The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; Alexander Burrows, Retiree; Dr. Jean Turnquest, Retiree; and Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn) GIFT SHOP COMMISSIONED - The Shirley Weech (one of the Retirees) Gift Shop was commissioned on Friday, during the annual visit of the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, to the Rand Memorial Hospital. Shown from left are: Mrs. Shirley Weech; Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority; and Sharon Williams, Administrator, Rand Memorial Hospital. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn) 

SIR CHARLES HAYWARD LIBRARY - As a part of her tour, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, visited at the Sir Charles Hayward Library on Friday. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)