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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 NASSAU, The Bahamas -- While addressing the topic of his Government's ‘Agenda for a Modern Bahamas,’ Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie told the House of Assembly, on May 25, 2016, that his Government’s efforts and successes over the past four years do not begin and end on the fiscal front, for they have clearly understood -- from prior to the last election -- that the nation confronts a multitude of challenges that stand in the way of a better future for all of citizens.
"Accordingly, we have been driven over the past four years by a mission to effect fundamental transformation in the pursuit of a modern Bahamas," Prime Minister Christie said, as he presented his 2016/2017 Budget Communication.
"Significant problems plague our society and our economy and we simply cannot continue to accept the status quo," he added. "Bahamians demand a better future for themselves and their children and it is my Government that has taken up the mantle and begun to move us toward a decidedly better future."
Prime Minister Christie said that his Government's agenda is one for a modern Bahamas, with modern governance, a modern and more prosperous economy, as well as modern social programs and public infrastructure.
He added that his Government began that process with the comprehensive change agenda of the Charter for Governance that it shared with our fellow citizens prior to the 2012 election.
"Since taking office, we have doggedly implemented a number of reforms in the various areas of that agenda, as I explained in the last Budget Communication as well as in this year’s Mid-Year Budget Statement," Prime Minister Christie pointed out. "While I will not repeat all of the details at this time, it is nonetheless important to remind this House and Bahamians of the major reform measures that we have implemented."
Prime Minister Christie then proceeded to group the major reform measures under the four key pillars of future economic and social development that were identified in the recent State of the Nation Report. That Report, he added, represented the first stage in the preparation of a National Development Plan.
The four pillars of development are Human Capital, Governance, the Natural and Built Environment, and the Economy.
In the area of human capital, Prime Minister Christie said, his Government has effected healthcare reform with "significant" investments in both Princess Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital, as well as in new and renovated facilities in the major Family Islands.
"We have also worked toward the introduction of a National Health Insurance scheme," Prime Minister Christie said.
He went further to say that the provision of practical and cost effective Universal Health Care to Bahamians remains a key priority of his Government.
"The subject of National Health Insurance continues to attract healthy debate among medical practitioners and others; however, my commitment, and that of the Government, to the accessibility and affordability of basic medical services and the improvement of the quality of life for Bahamians, is unequivocal and together with the involvement of leadership from the National Health Insurance Bahamas Secretariat, the Ministry of Health, the Public Hospitals Authority and our global partner in healthcare, KPMG Bahamas, we are committed to delivering health care that is modern, affordable and accessible for all legal residents of The Bahamas," Prime Minister Christie said.
Bahamas PM Delivers the 2016/17 Budget Communication
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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