Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Campbell: Social Services on Full Alert
#Nassau, September 2, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell said Sunday that officials at the Department of Social Services have been placed on full alert to ensure that those Bahamians needing assistance in the aftermath of the devastation expected to be caused by the monster Hurricane Dorian, receive that assistance in a timely fashion.
Minister Campbell said DOSS officials in the Northern Bahamas, in particular, have been on full alert over the past forty-eight hours and counting. He said the team in Grand Bahama has been bolstered by the addition of 30 Recruits from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Minister Campbell said reports from Abaco are that all of the shelters are open and functioning, and are furnished with generators “with the understanding that those generators will not be used during the storm but rather afterwards to ensure that there won’t be any toxins that would cause any additional danger.”
“Our objective is to ensure that our people are safe, and that their basic human needs – food, shelter and clothing — are met and then we will carry on down the line,” Minister Campbell said. “Our staff has been mobilized and will put in the hours needed to ensure that those persons who sought shelter and will need assistance, get the assistance they need.”
Minister Campbell said the ministry has received offers of technical, financial and other assistance from its regional and international partners – including several regional and international women’s organizations with which the ministry has formed strong partnerships.
He said the responses will be channeled through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“Fortunately we have been able to develop a number of relationships at the regional and international levels, so much so, that we now have persons contacting us during our time of need, expressing their concern, offering their prayers, and also offering tangible assistance,” Minister Campbell said.
“We will connect them with NEMA so as not to operate in silos, but to ensure that to the extent we are able, there is one route through which all assistance to The Bahamas is received and that is NEMA. If there is one agency channeling, managing and receiving those regional and international donations, it reduces the bureaucracy. It reduces the time; it reduces delay (and) it expedites the assistance being brought to the persons who really need it without any unnecessary delays,” Minister Campbell added.
Minister Campbell applauded the “yeoman’s effort” of staff at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Department of Social Services and its other Departments, Division and Units, thus far. He said their work is just beginning.
“The mere threat of a storm propels my ministry into action. We are responsible for before, during and after a disastrous event such as a hurricane. We are a part of the inspection team for shelters to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of shelters, to ensure that there are teams in place to man the shelters and to ensure that all of the other necessary resources are in place prior to the storm.
“During the storm, our persons are there manning the shelters ensuring that all goes well, while keeping account of persons who are there, and communicating with headquarters if there is need for adjustment and also working as an Emergency Support Function of NEMA in the National Emergency Operations Centre. And then after the storm, we are there not only to assist with persons who need assistance on the road to recovery or normalcy, but to also play a key role in initial damage assessment.
“I want to thank each and every one of our team members for the yeoman’s effort they have put in so far, and for the effort it will take to ensure the road to recovery and normalcy for our affected citizens,” Minister Campbell added.
By Matt Maura
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell addressing members of the media Sunday (September 1) at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Gladstone Road. Shelters in New Providence receiving persons are Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gym and Epworth Hall (Ebenezer Methodist Church). Shelters are open in Bimini for persons needing assistance.
Insert: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell checks up on members of the Social Services team pulling duty at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Gladstone Road, Sunday. Seated (from left) are: Mrs. Gillian Bethel, Assistant Director, Department of Social Services, and Mrs. Janice McKenzie, Senior Welfare Officer, Department of Social Services. Also pictured (standing), is Ms. Melvelyn Symonette, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.
(BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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