Dr Duane Sands, Minister of Health. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday expressed his full confidence in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ leadership, dismissing social media and tabloid rumours of a budding FNM coup d’état.
“No truth at all,” he said, “no truth at all, idle hands clearly is the devil’s work.”
Dr Sands responded to claims he was leading or a part of a break-away faction to unseat Dr Minnis as he fielded questions from reporters outside the Cabinet Office yesterday morning.
“I certainly have great confidence in the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. I hope that he has confidence in me but I can say categorically that Duane Sands is not involved in any imaginary coup and I am not aware of any coup at all.”
Outside Cabinet, Dr Sands also provided an update on HIV/AIDS drug shortages at facilities in New Providence last month.
He told The Tribune last week levels were still critically low, but additional stock has been sourced until main supplies were restored.
“We are expecting the definitive order, which was some $260,000 worth of HIV medication, as well as the reagents to test for the CD4 levels and viral loads, that would have been paid for,” he said yesterday.
“That would have been, all totalled, almost $320,000 of outlay in order to maintain the capacity to both treat and test for HIV.”
Dr Sands added: “With the new initiative, the 90-90-90 initiative, there is going to be an escalating demand for testing ability, lab reagents and lab equipment.
“So what budget might apply last year is not going to do this year.
“What we would like to do is get to the point where we know that 90 percent of the people who are HIV positive are on therapy and that 90 percent of them have effective viral suppression,” he continued.
“We are nowhere near that yet.
“We believe that we may be as high a 60 plus percent in terms of suppression of those people on therapy.
“But if we are going to convert HIV to the equivalent of a chronic disease and get to the point where HIV can be eradicated in the Bahamas, then we have to increase our efforts.
“And that means much more of an investment by the government and by the people of the Bahamas.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 7 months ago
Minnis has to go. He is as bad as perry. Just do it. The country needs it.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 7 months ago
He's actually much worse than Perry in as much as he is just plain dumb and arrogant. Remember, the dimwitted doc can't even figure out whether he's headed east or west!
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 7 months ago
If you consider changing your tag, you have to give us the prearranged hand signal to we know it's you. Lol
bogart 6 years, 7 months ago
THE Right Honourable current Prime Minister ROC wid DOC is not the same as former Prime Minister Right Honourable Perry Christie. 35 to 4. Both have strengths and faults. It is refreshing to have Roc wid Doc who can admit his mistakes, correct them and steadfastly drive the bus.
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 7 months ago
Um the bus broke down on the side of the road. Aint no one has been driving it now for 6 years.
We need a driver.. bad...
licks2 6 years, 7 months ago
Still think we need LBT. . .aye?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 7 months ago
This is what makes the FNM so much more relevant, dynamic and progressive than the PLP ....... there are no entitled leaders and elite families who believe that they must rule forever.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 7 months ago
Symonette, Bethel and D'Aguilar are breathing heavily and Minnis no doubt senses the sharp knives unsheathed at his back and ready to slash his political career....and rightfully so. Minnis has now proven himself to be totally incompetent and we, the people, had the wool too easily pulled over our eyes only because Christie and McCartney were not viable alternatives in the last general election. Minnis has clearly demonstrated that he is simply not leadership material, period!
TheMadHatter 6 years, 7 months ago
So far his performance is alright. I wish they would publish online ACTUAL income and expense figures monthly on an accrual basis. Even if they are running 3 months behind - at least we would see real figures instead if silly pie-in-the-sky budgets.
TalRussell 6 years, 7 months ago
Comrade Duane, we understand the official denial.
TalRussell 6 years, 7 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2018…
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 7 months ago
Kudatah..it took a second..ROTFL
bogart 6 years, 7 months ago
Symonette, Bethel, D'Aguilar, Adrian Gibson, Doc Sands et al are breathing heavily cause dey follow Roc wid Doc and sweat to treat all the patients from da previous shift...triage dem ....go in an operate...chap off some stuff...cause it gan create more infection.....give medecine....cure...and those on the outside just needs to moderate dere intake of Gamalamee tea an try love vine stead.
birdiestrachan 6 years, 7 months ago
Never mind doc every time he opens his mouth he lie. imagine him patting himself on the back because they purchased aids medicine. doc that is your job. you are suppose to do that.
DDK 6 years, 7 months ago
And why does the Bahamas have so much HIV/AIDS that we are running short of treatment drug supplies? Perhaps dealing with the source should be brought to the fore-front.
bogart 6 years, 7 months ago
....hmmmmm.....if the source is to be btought to the fore front then we would have to castrate .....lol
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