Grand Cay resident Mrs Thelma Hield cuts the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the new Community Health Centre on Friday. Also pictured (from left) are Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis; Patrick Ward, Chairman, National Insurance Board; Minister of Housing, the Hon Kenneth Russell; and Algernon Cargill, Director, National Insurance Board. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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GRAND CAY, North Abaco ---
Health outcomes are expected to dramatically improve in this remote
fishing and diving community following opening of the new Community
Health Centre here, Friday.
The Centre boasts a state-of-the-art
electrocardiogram (ECG) machine which health officials say is “one
of the most critical” pieces of diagnostic equipment healthcare providers
can have.
Grand Cay resident Charles Lowe unveils the plaque commemorating the opening of the Grand Cay Community Health Centre, Friday. Also pictured from left are Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis; Minister of Housing, the Hon Kenneth Russell; and Chairman, National Insurance Board, Patrick Ward. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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The new clinic has a modern
maternity ward, comfortable examination and treatment rooms, fully equipped
dental and X-Ray suites, a two-bed overnight ward, and a pharmacy. It
is also has resuscitation and stabilization equipment.
Ambulatory services for seniors
and persons with chronic, non-communicable diseases, will also be provided.
Plans are also underway to
strengthen the delivery of ante-natal and post-natal services with the
posting of a qualified midwife by January.
The Centre was officially opened
by Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis. Also present were
Minister of Housing, the Hon Kenneth Russell; National Insurance Board,
Chairman, Patrick Ward; and National Insurance Board, Director, Algernon
Cargill
Last Wednesday the Nicholls
Town Community Health Centre in North Andros was re-launched.
Healthcare services at the
Miriam Greene Community Health Centre in Johnson Bay, South Andros was
re-launched August 26.
“The construction of this
state-of-the-art clinic underscores this government’s commitment to
the direct delivery of primary and urgent healthcare services on remote
and isolated areas such as Grand Cay,” Dr. Minnis said.
Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis, Minister of Health with the keynote address during the official opening of the Grand Cay Community Clinic, Friday. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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“Without the availability
of trained healthcare workers and adequate facilities and supporting
health infrastructure at the local level, residents in remote communities
such as Grand Cay would be disproportionately impacted by health conditions
when compared to residents in New Providence and the other developed
islands.
“The provision of basic healthcare
services and basic diagnostic testing such as ECG and X-Ray facilities
with the equipment used in resuscitation and/or stabilization in this
remote setting, will go a long way towards reducing health inequities
within certain areas of The Bahamas.”
Grand Cay residents are confronted
with the same health challenges - obesity, hypertension, heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis and respiratory illnesses - as other Bahamians.
Catherine Adderley, Director of Dentistry, Grand Bahama Health Services, gives Minister Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis, a tour of the Dental Unit of the new Grand Cay Community Clinic, Friday. Also pictured are Cherlyn Bain, Principal Nursing Officer, Patrick Ward, Chairman, NIB, and Minister of Housing, the Hon Kenneth Russell. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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The new Centre replaces the
original clinic which was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Clinical
services were elocated into a rental facility while the new clinic was
being constructed.
“As Minister of Health
and a physician, I am always delighted to see the expansion and improvements
of healthcare facilities in the Family Islands,” he said. “Improving
access to affordable primary healthcare services to all areas of The
Bahamas is a goal of this Ministry and the Government.”