The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FNM Deputy Leader K Peter Turnquest said the government promised a new state of the art hospital for Grand Bahama, but has yet to deliver on the pledge.

Mr Turnquest, MP for East Grand Bahama, noted that with months left in office, the Christie administration is not likely to deliver on its promise.

“As a general election nears, it seems the governing Progressive Liberal Party, after four years of nothingness, is staggering to the finish line particularly in the area of healthcare on Grand Bahama and throughout the wider Bahamas,” he said in a press statement.

He stated that during the 2012 general election campaign, the PLP touted a new hospital for Grand Bahama as a major promise.

“With only months remaining in office, it has become even more clear that this is a government big on promises and plans, but produces very little or in most cases, nothing,” Mr Turnquest said.

He indicated that the repeatedly announced plans for a new state of the art hospital is now another broken promise.

Mr Turnquest claims that the government is now revealing last minute hype for a watered down community clinic in “a shameless attempt to secure votes.”

A huge billboard has been erected along East Sunrise Highway for the new clinic in the Lucaya area.

Mr Turnquest said the facility is not likely to be completed and/or fully functional before the PLP’s term in office has expired.

Describing the government as incompetent and non-caring, the MP said it botched the National Health Insurance initiative, and its failure to deliver a new hospital for Grand Bahama serves as further evidence of a lack of commitment related to quality healthcare for Grand Bahama residents and Bahamians generally.

He stressed that a newly elected Free National Movement government will place an expanded and improved hospital for Grand Bahama as a priority, and will implement a National Health Insurance programme that is sustainable - one that will function in the best interest of all Bahamians.

“The PLP is in for a rude awakening; last minute ground breaking events will not fool Grand Bahama voters and the people of the Bahamas,” he said. “We need change. The FNM represents that change.”