The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

NEWLY appointed Free National Movement (FNM) Senator, Dr Duane Sands yesterday pledged to hold the government accountable for its implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).

At a ceremony at Government House where he received his instrument of appointment, Dr Sands said the government’s “shoddy” approach to NHI demonstrated that the party was only working for a “political tagline and not a national solution”.

While the implementation of NHI was “pressingly important”, he insisted that the FNM “will not be an accessory to a failed system perpetuated by a group boasting success amid evident failures”.

“The Free National Movement supports Universal Healthcare,” he said. “The Free National Movement supports National Health Insurance. We want to make sure that it is more than a political game or ploy and that it brings benefits to troubled Bahamians.”

Dr Sands noted that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) went back to the drawing board after initial discussions on NHI. He called on the PLP to reveal variations made to the NHI model as a result of those national discussions, and the projected impact on the status of health services in the Bahamas.

Dr Sands served as a senator in the last Ingraham administration. He ran unsuccessfully for the FNM’s deputy post at the party’s convention in 2014.

He was recently ratified as the FNM’s candidate for Elizabeth in the 2017 general election, a seat he has lost twice to PLP candidate Ryan Pinder, in the 2012 general election and 2010 by-election.

Yesterday, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis stressed that Dr Sands has shed light on some pretty muddy parts of the NHI legislation, while continuing to uphold the value of Universal Health Insurance.

Dr Minnis said that as the country’s Official Opposition force, the FNM has the constitutional duty to keep the government’s feet “on the straight and narrow path”, contending that the appointment of Dr Sands to the Senate would ensure the government’s “honesty”.

“I am certain that he can perform his role as a senator effectively. I know that he will be diligent in his performance. I also know that whatever his contribution, he will represent the Free National Movement with dignity, respect and most of all, integrity,” Dr Minnis said.

“I am confident that he will be faithful in the fight for rights and quality for all Bahamians and will merit their trust. From his steady stream of intelligent and well-targeted public comments I know that Dr Sands has his ear to the ground. I know that he is aware of the concerns of Bahamians across the social and economic spectrum.

“I also know, that he is not afraid to lend his voice to address those concerns and I am particularly grateful that he has made an excellent and steady contribution to the National Health Insurance debate.”

Addressing the current political landscape of the Bahamas, Dr Sands referenced the teachings of Dr Martin Luther King.

“Every generation or era regards the challenges of their time with a reduced sense or appreciation of historical context and a exaggerated sense of self-interest or self-importance. The Rev Dr Martin Luther King described this reoccurring phenomenon as the fierce urgency of now,” he said.

“Those of us that offer for public service, then, face a peculiar demand to face two masters. On the first hand, we must accept that the pain and trials, the worries and fears of our people are as real as they feel it or see it. Be assured that I know, that I see, that I feel deeply the concerns and suffering of ordinary Bahamians who are gasping for air daily.

“Not to do the extraordinary; many are struggling simply to survive in a country whose God-given potential is so vast, but find that this country has lost direction, in part to the inattention, hijacking or carelessness of some who accepted the duty to serve.

“And on the second hand, we must be guided by the teaching of mistakes made in the past and possess a sober and sombre need to be responsible in our decision-making so as to guard the prospects for our next generations.

“In order to be effective, we must have courage, conviction of character and a deep and sincere love for the people we are privileged to serve,” Dr Sands added.

His appointment marks the fifth Senate change for the FNM since 2012.

Dr Sands’ appointment to the Senate came hours after the resignation of Lanisha Rolle, who was hit by controversy stemming from an alleged recording in which she made disparaging comments about several FNM MPs.