#Nassau, The Bahamas – April 7, 2020 — COVID-19 cases for The Bahamas have been steadily increasing and the Minister of Health, on Monday, said his team is bracing for a surge while suffering a severe loss in front line health care workers who are under quarantine.
“Among these confirmed
positive COVID-19 health care worker, two (2) have had to be hospitalized. What is more worrisome, is that more than
fifty (50) health care workers have been identified as contacts of
diagnosed/confirmed cases. These health care workers are currently in
quarantine, and are being monitored for the development of symptoms.
Clearly, if more health care
workers are removed from the available pool, there will be no soldiers left to
fight the COVID war. We must protect
our frontline workers. The best way to
do this is to stay at home!”
Minister, Dr. Duane Sands wants what officials
around the world want – for people to live through this pandemic by following
the protocols, though difficult.
“Currently, there are 23
cases in New Providence; 5 cases in Grand Bahama; and 1 case from Bimini. This equates to almost
one new case each day. If we continue on this path, our health care system will
be overwhelmed and unable to meet the demands.
Social and physical distancing and responsible handwashing are the two
mitigating actions that will help us to combat the strength of this virus,”
said the Minister during a presentation in the House of Assembly.
The nation learned that the People’s Republic
of China has donated 1,000 test kits and The Bahamas now has 10,000 rapid tests
which will mean wider screening at the community level.
“We are exploring the introduction of rapid
testing. The first step in the process requires in-country validation of the rapid
serological testing. Once this validation is completed, wider screening for
COVID-19 at the community level will commence. There are 10,000 rapid test kits
in-country.”
More challenging however, as the world
competes for the same products, is for The Bahamas to ensure the frontline
soldiers in Health Care are adequately outfitted for the battle.
“With this in mind, we are
aggressively exploring various ways and means to acquire more personal
protective equipment (PPE) inventory and other supplies. The global shortage of
PPEs and other needed supplies have resulted in supply chain disruptions. Many countries are holding on to their stock,
and others are coveting the stocks found in other countries. Hence, we must
manage our current supplies judiciously.
Our goal is to ensure that there is a consistent supply of PPEs to
frontline nurses, doctors and support staff.
With this equipment, they can provide the necessary care to individuals
presenting to and being admitted to health care facilities,” said Minister
Sands.
The Bahamas Ministry of
Health currently has: 1,000 boxes of
surgical masks; 43,995 of N95 masks; 2,418 surgeon gowns; 1,672
healthcare barrier gowns; 238 face
shields; 4,590 boxes of gloves; and 6,033+ PPE full kits, (masks, 2 gloves,
boot cover, head cover, face shield).
On Monday, Bahamas Prime
Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis informed that the Public Hospitals Authority will
label their medical face masks, that government will purchase all of the
medical masks within the marketplace and soon to come is a ban on the sale of these
specialized items to the general public.
The Bahamas has over 29.5
million surgical masks and another 691,000 cloth masks according to the Health
Minister in his update. As for gloves, there
are nearly 270,000,000.
“The Ministry of Health will
continue to trump up efforts to ensure that our frontline health care workers
are provided with appropriate PPEs and training to minimize their level of
exposure to the COVID19 virus.”
The Bahamas, up to Monday
April 6 recorded 33 positives for COVID-19 and five deaths, including a medical
doctor.
Dr. Judson Eneas, 71, died
on Sunday April 5 as a result of contracting the coronavirus; one of five
medical care workers who had been infected in service to the public.
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#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards
projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim
to increase food security for The Bahamas.
The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister
of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour
Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise
Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a
poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the
redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic
Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,
Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.
“I had the privilege to listen the presentations and review presentations that
touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a
Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited
about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors
that we have each year,” he said.
“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further
development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests
visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas
and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”
Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates,
hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate.
Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by
the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,”
she said.
“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community
in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is
going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but
also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares
is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we
look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors
when this amazing renovation is done.”
Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.
“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are
several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at
the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership
and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a
better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.