The Ministry of Health & Wellness held five (5) contract signing ceremonies today at clinics in North and Central Eleuthera for emergency maintenance works. Minister of Health & Wellness the Honourable Dr.Michael Darville accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Colin Higgs and other Senior Health Officialsled the signing ceremonies awarding contactors at each stop. The contracts are for works at clinics inHarbour Island, Spanish Wells, Hatchet Bay, James Cistern and Lower Bogue.

The contracts follow assessments done at clinics throughout the Bahamas since last October where itwas determined that critical maintenance works were necessary to improve the current environment inwhich healthcare providers operate and to mitigate against threats to the safe delivery of essentialservices to communities already vulnerable to natural disasters. The scope of restoration works includeconcrete works, masonry and carpentry repairs, interior walls and ceiling repairs, painting, plumbingand electrical repairs. These works are separate from those previously approved under two (2) Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded loans. Funds from the Ministry’s Capital Budget for Upkeepof Community Clinics will source the collective capital works for these facilities with an estimated costof $530,000 and a two-to-seven-month completion time span once works commence.

Just last week, the Health & Wellness Minister executed contacts in Abaco to commence works atclinics on that island.