By ROBYN ADDERLEY
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama (BIS) — Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, had high praise for Direct Relief, an aid organization that was instrumental in the rebuilding and restoration of the clinics in East Grand Bahama, during the Recommissioning and Blessing Ceremony for the clinics in High Rock and McLean’s Town on Friday, July 23.
Minister of Health, the Hon. Renward Wells, planned to accompany the Prie Minister to Grand Bahama, but remained in Nassau for the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Update press conference. Instead, the Hon. Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance and for Grand Bahama, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Health.
The Prime Minister thanked Direct Relief and described them as “a key ally in our recovery and rebuilding efforts in Grand Bahama,” adding that more public private partnerships like this are needed.
“The historic devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian impacted private homes and businesses across the Northern Bahamas,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “Dorian destroyed critical public infrastructure, including the public hospital in Freeport as well as community and satellite clinics in East Grand Bahama.”
Noting that the repair and reconstruction of public infrastructure has been a major priority for his administration, the Prime Minister declared, “Thankfully, the contributions and assistance of our friends and partners from abroad helped the Northern Bahamas to rebound.”
The hurricane, followed by the global pandemic presented additional challenges to Grand Bahama; the only constants were the dedicated team members of Grand Bahama Health Services.
About Direct Relief, the Prime Minister said, “Direct Relief has been an outstanding international aid organization and good friend to Grand Bahama in the weeks and months of recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
“That friendship is once again on full display, as earlier this year Direct Relief donated seven modular units for the reconstruction of the High Rock Community Clinic.”
Reconstruction of the High Rock Community Clinic began on March 22, by Direct Relief and Build Health International: four months later, it is open for service.
The High Rock Community Clinic is now on a foundation that has been built three feet into the ground, has a backup water supply and so may assist residents in the event of an emergency.
The new clinic now houses: a waiting room, spaces for Patient Registration, Screening/Triage, a Pharmacy, a Treatment Room, Sluice, Clinic Administration, Examination Rooms, Staff Lounge, and a Sterilization Room, there is a full Dental Suite which is an improvement over the previous facility.
While the McLean’s Town Community Clinic was severely damaged, it remained on its original foundation having been built out of limestone. That facility now has solar power, and is able to generate enough solar energy for Grand Bahama Health Services to sell power back to Grand Bahama Power Company, as per an agreement signed between GBHS and GBPC.
Said the Prime Minister, “This is what progress looks like when we put our shoulders to the wheel and ensure the best outcomes for the Bahamian people.”
Improvements at the Rand Memorial Hospital, said Prime Minister Minnis, will include the construction of a new climate-resilient hospital and clinic facility for Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas.
He said, “Hard work, an unwavering commitment to the restoration of our public health infrastructure, strong international partnerships, and an abiding faith in God and in our fellow Bahamians are the reasons we can commission the High Rock Community Clinic and the McLean’s Town Clinic into the service of the people of Grand Bahama.”
