By Delvardo Emmanuel
Journal Staff Writer

Grand Bahama is set to receive the needed resources to enforce healthcare on the
island.
During the weekly press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Acting Press
Secretary Keishla Adderley revealed an update from the Ministry of Health and
Wellness regarding much-needed resources to upgrade the healthcare system in
Grand Bahama.
“In Grand Bahama, work is ongoing to improve the health system there, to
improve resources, human resources, and otherwise. And that is of course
headlined by the commencement of work on the Freeport Health Campus. As you
know, ground was broken earlier this year for that new health facility in Grand
Bahama and work is underway there,” Adderley said.
“I can also tell you that a new ambulance has been shipped to Grand Bahama and
along with that, five emergency medical technicians, will sit their final
examinations this week, and if they are successful, which we believe they will be,
Eight Mile Rock Clinic will enjoy 24-hour emergency support. So that is a huge
plus for that community.”
The Public Hospitals Authority has welcomed 18 new nurses from Ghana to The
Bahamas, which add extra nursing manpower on the island.
“The minister is, of course, applauding this. This will, of course, add to the
capacity of human resources needs to continue to boost the health system in Grand
Bahama, in particular, in this instance.” Adderley said.
Adderley also gave an update on the long-standing backlog the Ministry of Health
is faced with regarding eye procedures.
“The Eye Care Program, as you may know, is being carried out with the
Government of The Bahamas in conjunction with the government of Cuba. And so
far, this program has allowed some 190 persons to benefit from eye care related
surgeries with a 90 percent success rate.”
The eye program, launched back in October by the Ministry of Health and
Wellness, will aid some 600 persons needing eye surgery.