Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre opens at last

Prime Minister Perry Christie tours the new health centre in Abaco. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNMENT officials commissioned the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre in Abaco yesterday, touting it as a long-awaited boost to the island and the Christie administration’s National Health Insurance plans.

Like the Child and Adolescent and Robert Smith (CARS) Complex that was commissioned last year, the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre has a tortured history, one of missed deadlines and claims of shoddy workmanship, all without any clear accountability.

The facility’s original contractor went bankrupt.

Construction of the healthcare centre began under the former Ingraham administration.

When the Christie administration came to power, it spent $1m renovating the facility, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

“The floors had to be ripped up and lots of work had to be done,” added Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville, who oversees aspects of NHI’s implementation.

Now, the facility is state of the art. At 33,000 square feet, it will be a place where dental and lab services will be provided.

Abaco currently has about three nurses and one doctor, Dr Darville said. By December, the island will have 16 nurses, five doctors, a radiologist and two lab technicians.

Charlene Bain, the director of public health, added that the overall health staff on the island will grow from the 20 that it has now to 70 by September.

The facility boasts an administrative wing, pharmacy and a morgue where autopsies will be performed.

Mr Christie noted during his speech that a similar facility is planned for Exuma, to be opened “in the shortest time possible.”

He also revealed that the Ministry of Finance has dedicated funding for a mini-hospital to be constructed in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera.

Dr Darville said works have been undertaken and are nearing completion at clinics in Mangrove Cay, Andros; Mathew Town, Inagua; Deadman’s Cay, Long Island; Spring Point, Acklins; Fresh Creek, Andros; Landrail Point, Crooked Island, as well as the Eleuthera communities of Hatchet Bay, Lower Bogue and Spanish Wells.

“It is important to understand that the improvements to our clinics will translate into improvements in the patient experience throughout out public health system,” he said.

In April 2012, The National Insurance Board signed a $12 million contract with Coastline Construction to create the new community hospital in Marsh Harbour.

At the time, the facility was scheduled for completion within 60 weeks.

Abaco residents have complained that the stalled construction left them to cope with “substandard” medical facilities.

MassExodus 7 years, 7 months ago

Impeccable timing Mr. Christie!! Less than a month before the general election. Coincidence, I think not. I hope by know you have hinted on the sarcasm in my vernacular...

bahamas12345 7 years, 7 months ago

good that opened for Marsh Harbour, too bad the new baseball stadium is at a grinding halt due to the govt

avidreader 7 years, 7 months ago

It might be open today but this morning there was the usual crowd of people and vehicles outside the old clinic along the main road just south of downtown Marsh Harbour.

DDK 7 years, 7 months ago

Smacks of Baha Mar!

DDK 7 years, 7 months ago

I understand that 'new' facility, initiated by the Free National Movement, was all but completed five years ago. I also understand the PLP refused to pay the contractor to complete the building and allowed it to lie fallow for five long years, during which time the staff at the clinic in Marsh Harbour walked out in protest as they could no longer tolerate the deplorable conditions there, including severe mould. I am very surprised the Abaconians actually tolerated the presence of the PM at the Healthcare Centre after such callous treatment, less than a month before the general election no less. He musie tink da people dem stupid! FIRE THE MAN!

jusscool 7 years, 7 months ago

He wake aaaa?

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

Abaconians seemed to have lost their fight and independent spirit .......... They should have not even let him land on the airport ....... much less open a clinic that he deliberately sabotaged since 2012

Christie is NOT welcomed in Long Island .......... We made that very clear to him during Hurricane Joaquin ......... He came to the airport, rode around on a truck and left after 30 minutes .......... and he is NOT welcomed back now ( with this lil sissy boy Rolle)

MassExodus 7 years, 7 months ago

LOL

MassExodus 7 years, 7 months ago

Christie is an A$$. He need to get the F off Abaco.

OMG 7 years, 7 months ago

Hatchet Bay. ???? Must be invisable improvements.

Seaman 7 years, 7 months ago

Sheeprunner.............. How tings in LI? LI still going red?

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

The FNM will win Long Island easily ........ 1645 registered voters, say 1500 vote ....... FNM = 1000, PLP=300, LBT=200 ............ Take that to the bank

hallmark 7 years, 7 months ago

How many buildings have been opened and schools renamed in the past month?

kairosmatt 7 years, 7 months ago

IF IF IF the hospital is really "open" the sickening part is Perry LET people be sick and potentially die so he could play this fan far photo op right before elections.

Repeat: Perry, the PM, for five years let people get sick and die in Abaco so he could score some election points.

juju 7 years, 7 months ago

Abaconians are FED UP with the PLP. They could open 10 hospitals and Abaco will still go red.

OMG 7 years, 7 months ago

No improvements have been made to Hatchet Bay clinic, James Cistern clinic was renovated with public donations, the ambulance service and fire service is 100% operated by volunteers and with no government assistance. Clinics lack basic medical supplies--- election rhetoric.

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