Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie said, on May 8, 2017, that, with the roll-out of the primary care phase of National Health Insurance (NHI), the Government was not only improving access to primary care for all Bahamians, but was also investing in improvement and upgrade of primary care centres and community clinics across The Bahamas.

“From West End, Grand Bahama, to Matthew Town, Inagua, community clinics have been targeted for renovation and improvement works that will bring them up the standards essential for NHI’s licensing requirements,” Prime Minister Christie said, during the Mobilization for the Construction of the Eleuthera Healthcare Centre, in Palmetto Point on Monday.

“National Health Insurance is a revolutionary undertaking that will, I am convinced, lead to transformative change with respect to engaging and empowering Bahamians to take their health and wellness into their own hands.”

Far too many Bahamians are at risk of not enjoying the longevity of their parents and grandparents and previous generations, owing to the increasing number of chronic non-communicable diseases, Prime Minister Christie pointed out.

“Can you imagine that in a country where development is moving at a pace like never before we are seeing more and more Bahamians being diagnosed with lifestyle related diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease? All of which, I am told, have reached epidemic proportions as a result of a fast-food centred, sedentary culture that is wreaking havoc on the health of individuals and families,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, this stands as an antithesis to the progress we have made as a nation.”

Prime Minister Christie pointed out that not only does improved health positively impact length of life, but, even more importantly, improved health dramatically improves quality of life. Indeed, he added, few things impact the quality of life of a community, particularly a Family Island community, like the assurance of good quality healthcare.

“This is why my Government has continued to prioritize the development and reform of healthcare in our country, because of that old adage: ‘The health of the nation is the wealth of the nation’,” Prime Minister Christie said. 

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie addresses Mobilization for the Construction of the Eleuthera Healthcare Centre ceremonies in Palmetto Point on Monday, during which he stated that the rollout of NHI Primary Care uplifts healthcare access for all Bahamians; and it is simultaneous with upgrades to healthcare facilities across the nation. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

By Eric Rose

Bahamas Information Services