Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville said Friday that the health and wellness of a human being should never be determined by the size of his or her bank account.

“Therefore as a government, we remain steadfast and resolute in our commitment to ensuring that health care services, as well as access to affordability of these services are improved by way of National Health Insurance,” the Minister stated.

Dr. Darville was on Friday morning participating in a ceremony marking the Governor General’s annual visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital.

The Minister for Grand Bahama also used the occasion to thank the hardworking medical professionals of the Grand Bahama Health Services for their dedication and commitment to the health and well-being of the residents of Grand Bahama.

He said the team remained steadfast in their responsibilities during the most difficult times as in the case with the passing of Hurricane Matthew.

“They made sacrifices to ensure that all patients received the best quality of care possible. For the incredible service to your country and fellow Grand Bahamians, we owe each of you our sincere gratitude,” he told the health professionals assembled for the Governor General’s visit.

He further told the executive management and staff of the Grand Bahama Health Services that their theme for the Governor General’s visit After the Storm: Rebuilding and Surviving was most fitting because now that the storm has passed, we are able to move into the Yuletide Season with the hope that as the resilient people of Grand Bahama have done in the past, we will rebuild again.

Dr. Darville, was one of three main speakers inclusive of  the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; and Health Minister the Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez.

Continuing he told the gathering that this administration cares about them and their working environment and is diligently working to improve the quality of all public health care facilities and to provide medical practitioners with the tools and equipment necessary to administer quality evidence-based healthcare delivery in an efficient, cost effective manner.

Further, he noted that since coming to office in 2012 that the Christie Administration have invested millions of dollars to refurbish and upgrade every single public health facility on the island of Grand Bahama.

“We have extended operating hours at the Eight Mile Rock Clinic, established a new general practice clinic at the hospital in order to ease the burden at the Accident and Emergency Department at the Rand Hospital.

“Additionally, we have executed two medium sized contracts for the upgrade and expansion of the Rand Memorial Hospital. We have also purchased new, state of the art CT and MRI scanners, portable X-ray machines and other diagnostic equipment which will assist doctors to stay current with international medical and surgical protocols,” he advised.

The Minister for Grand Bahama also advised that the architectural rendering for phase one of Grand Bahama’s new hospital, the new Freeport Clinic, was submitted to the building department of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and that he understands that conditional approvals have been granted for civil works at the site off East Sunrise Highway.

He stated that through a much-sought after private public partnership, the Government has engaged both local and international consultants to establish necessary requirement that will facilitate the design, build and finance model for the much needed new 150-bed hospital.

“These projects speak to the government’s commitment to the advancement of health care infrastructure on Grand Bahama, which will serve not only the residents of Grand Bahama, but the entire northern region,” he said.

By Simon Lewis

Bahamas Information Services