The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Governor General Dame Cynthia Pratt made her annual visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama on Monday, urging healthcare workers to “create a culture of excellence” in healthcare.

Ms Pratt, a former nurse who reflected on her own experiences in the field, praised the dedication of nurses who persevere despite challenges. “Nurses don’t make big money, but nonetheless they persevere. They come to work with a smile on their faces, dealing with sick people even though they are struggling at home,” she said.

Highlighting the evolution of healthcare services, she noted the significant progress made over the years, pointing to the younger generation of nurses and the improved healthcare infrastructure in The Bahamas.

“Many of our patients today do not have to go to the US anymore. We have proper nursing here,” she said, commending the strides made in local healthcare under the guidance of Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville.

Ms Pratt also expressed gratitude to healthcare providers for their unwavering commitment, urging them to continue serving with compassion. “Your empathy, kindness, and dedication have the power to heal hearts as well as the body. Treat each patient as you would your own family,” she said.

Addressing patients, she extended heartfelt wishes for their recovery, assuring them of the support and prayers of the Bahamian community. She called for the continuation of the Christmas spirit into the New Year — a spirit of hope, generosity, and love — and thanked the healthcare professionals for their resilience and service.

Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness, provided significant updates on the progress of the new Freeport Health Campus in Grand Bahama.

He announced that Phase One A and B of the state-of-the-art facility is on track for completion and a grand opening late next year. The facility will offer comprehensive healthcare services for Bahamian residents and visitors, with Phase Two involving the construction of a multi-storey complex to house hospital beds, theatres, an intensive care unit, and other critical services.

Dr Darville said the bidding process for Phase Two construction will commence in a few months. Requests for Proposals are being issued for new contracts related to the multi-tower construction.

The campus will serve as a central hub for healthcare, providing an array of services, including urgent care, multi-disciplinary specialty clinics, mental health, oncology, and dental services. Renovations are also underway across Grand Bahama, including upgrades to facilities in West End and Sweeting’s Cay, the near-completion of the morgue at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH), and planned renovations at Davies House to support oncology and mammography services.

Dr Darville emphasised the integration of digital platforms and telemedicine into healthcare services and outlined plans to transform the RMH into a specialised care facility once the Freeport Health Campus is operational.

Dr Darville called for a moment of silence to honour the loss of an infant in West Grand Bahama in a traffic collision and acknowledged the medical complications suffered by the grieving mother, who is currently at the Rand Memorial Hospital.