As the country wrestles with the increasingly vituperative discussion surrounding implementation of the Christie administration's National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) yesterday announced that it would be engaging 22 pharmacists, as well as 22 doctors, three surgeons, two radiologists, nine biomedical engineers and an undisclosed number of nurses, all expected to be in place by the end of February 2016.
In a press release issued yesterday, the PHA detailed new hires, along with the other ways in which the system will be strengthened as part of this upgrade, the first phase of what PHA is calling its Transformation Strategy. No price tag for the upgrade has been released, but Prime Minister Perry Christie is expected to disclose that figure this week.
According to the press release, the PHA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will make the new hires "to meet the increased needs at our public healthcare institutions". The 22 pharmacists will be employed at PHA hospitals and clinics in New Providence and Grand Bahama, as will the radiologists and surgeons.
"The engagement of nine biomedical engineers for PMH, Rand and PHA community clinics is particularly essential at this time so as to ensure greater accountability in the maintenance of critical equipment at our three major hospitals and community clinics.
"We will also engage an additional 22 physicians together with additional nurses for our hospitals and clinics in New Providence and Grand Bahama, to ensure that we have the adequate resources to meet the needs of patients, and in particular as we look towards the implementation of National Health Insurance," the PHA said.
No price tag was listed for the new hires, but Guardian Business understands Christie intends to disclose that figure at the 25th
Bahamas Business Outlook on Thursday, January 21.
Radiology
The authority announced that within weeks it would begin the nearly $9 million transformation of radiology services, which will see state-of-the-art MRI and CT scan machines installed at the Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial Hospitals.
Additionally, the two hospitals will see the replacement of the outdated analogue equipment with modern digital equipment.
West End clinic
According to the PHA, the government will spend $500,000 to renovate the West End Clinic in Grand Bahama. The renovation will begin at the end of February and is expected to be completed in three months. The renovated clinic will include an ambulatory service, and will allow for 24-hour emergency medical services at the clinic. The two existing structures at the clinic will also be connected and as a result will double the capacity in order to house additional services. The renovated clinic will also include a trauma area, so that care can begin immediately for patients before they are transferred to the Rand.
"This is significant because the distance between the Clinic at West End and the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport is some 27 miles," the PHA said.
The authority also announced that it had secured a facility in Freeport for the expansion of general practice services, and specialty clinics, which is also expected to provide extended clinics for primary care services and non-urgent cases.
"Work on the facility will begin in the next eight weeks with a target opening date at the end of May this year. The new location is significant, particularly as there are no primary care facilities in the Freeport area," the PHA said.
HIMS
The authority has secured the funding to purchase the proprietary software that will power the Integrated Health Information Management System (IHIMS) countrywide. This comprehensive information management system will allow the entire public health system to be fully integrated across a single accessible platform linking the 108 Department of Public Health clinics, and all in-patient and out-patient clinics and services at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, and Grand Bahama Health Services - inclusive of the Rand Memorial Hospital. This system will allow for the entire public healthcare system to operate with one patient record system that uniquely identifies each patient and allows for seamless access to a patient's record from any public healthcare facility or service.
Guardian Business understands that IT personnel are also among the new hires.
Vehicles
The release also touted the procurement of 10 new 2016 Ford E-350 emergency vehicles for the National Emergency Medical Services ambulance fleet as part of phase one.
"These vehicles are the first instalment of the 25 new ambulances needed to expand and upgrade the agency's fleet which will allow for the retirement of aging vehicles and the full implementation of a decentralized zone system of deployment in New Providence and Grand Bahama. This will result in decreased response times in the deployment of ambulances to medical emergencies in the capital," the PHA said.
Phase one
According to the PHA, these projects and initiatives represent phase one of the comprehensive and extensive transformation of the public healthcare system in The Bahamas. Over the next several months the PHA will continue redevelopment and extensive construction work to facilitate a new maternity ward and accident & emergency department in New Providence at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
"At the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport key renovation and expansion works will include the relocation of the kitchen and cafeteria facilities; two new four-bed public wards to meet NHI standards; the construction of a new eight-bed private ward, and the placement of on-call facilities for our medical and allied health personnel. It is expected that this transformation at our public healthcare facilities will not only transform and provide vital access for the Bahamian people, but at the end of the day, will result in improved equity, accessibility, quality and affordability," the PHA said.
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