Bahamas News

Freeport Community Clinic Top of GBHS Priority List

Published

6 years ago

December 18, 2017

#Bahamas, December 18, 2017 – Grand Bahama – The construction of the Freeport Community Clinic remains a priority for the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority, according to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard. The Minister noted that for far too long the lack of a primary care and outpatient care hub has negatively impacted Freeport’s residents.

Standing in the capacity of Acting Minister of Health, Minister Pintard represented the Minister of Health during ceremonies to commemorate the 19^th annual Governor General’s visit, which took place on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at the Rand Memorial Hospital.

“With the construction of the 62,000 square foot healthcare center, the people of Freeport will have a modern health facility that will provide adequate space for residents to conveniently access general practice, specialty and family medicine clinics, maternal and child health, mental health and adolescent and school health, and emergency medical services.

“We anticipate that the new healthcare center will also facilitate the housing of a rehabilitation suite and a disease surveillance unit, which will expand community health services as well as primary and specialty care.”

Minister Pintard pointed out that one of the high points of 2017 in Grand Bahama was the expanded and upgraded community clinic in West End. He noted that the Clinic in West End has become the envy of health care facilities in Grand Bahama, and also the talk of the town across the country.

“In addition to increased areas for examination and treatment, improved security and waiting area, an emergency and trauma area and training room have been created at the revamped West End Clinic,” said Minister Pintard in his address.

“Speaking of progress being made, I am advised that over the next two years, 24 hour emergency services will be phased in for Western Grand Bahama, inclusive of the Eight Mile Rock and West End Clinics.”

Minister Pintard praised the staff of the Grand Bahama Health Services whom he said sometimes work in the unique environment of a local health system, where synchronicity and synergies between the public hospital institution and the network of public health clinics provides seamless access to care.

This dynamic, he added, fosters a deep connection between GBHS staff and the communities they serve.

“I believe that this connection is best displayed when communities are tested,” said Minister Pintard. “Time and time again Grand Bahama has been tested, whether it be the fury of nature in a Hurricane Irma, or the persistent economic malaise that continues to shackle opportunity.

“It is during those times of testing that the leadership and the staff of the Grand Bahama Health Services have always stood in the gap for the patients in their care and for the island they serve. For our part in the local community of Grand Bahama, we owe you a debt of gratitude. We thank you.”

The acting Health Minister told the Governor General that her official visit provides an opportunity for not only Ministers of Government, but for supervisors, managers and heads of department and for members of the public to thank members of the staff of the GBHS in a wider capacity.

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Header: NICE TO MEET YOU – Governor General of The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling shakes hands with some of the doctors and nurses during a tour of the Rand Memorial Hospital, during her official visit on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

Insert: BRINGS REMARKS – Acting Minister of Health, the Hon. Michael Pintard brought remarks during the 19^th Annual Governor General’s visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. During his address, Minister Pintard highlighted some of the achievements in health care on Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.”

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”