Former Health Minister: It’s an Ill-Advised, Dumb Idea

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Former Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands makes sharp critiques over government’s decision to borrow $195 million from the China Export-Import Bank to construct a new speciality hospital in Western New Providence.

His comments come after U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker urged the Davis administration to reconsider the deal, saying in a statement that it doesn’t appear to be in the best interests of The Bahamas to submit to Chinese law and labor standards on their own soil.

When asked his opinion on the matter, here’s what the former health minister had to say:

Dr. Duane Sands – Former Minister, Health

“ How long is it going to take to build a new hospital? And what are people supposed to do in the meantime? Have you been to Brenda’s Margaret Hospital recently? “

“Have you seen people languishing in the hallway for days and days and days? This is outta stock. That is outta stock, okay. No equipment to be used to take care of patients. Thank God for the staff that carries the system on their back.”

Sands says the issue goes beyond building a new facility – arguing that longstanding problems with staffing and resources remain unaddressed across the public healthcare system.

Dr. Duane Sands – Former Minister, Health

“ This isn’t about whether or not another hospital is going to fix what you have. The Abaco mini hospital never been staffed properly. The Exuma mini hospital never been staffed properly.“

“The Ran has challenges right now with the operating rooms, only one of them can be consistently used. Why? Why don’t you fix that? Both hospitals, under financed. You don’t wanna fix that. Where you gonna find $300 million when you can’t find the money?”

To add, the former health minister argues the Davis administration should instead redirect those funds elsewhere.

Dr. Duane Sands – Former Minister, Health

“We believe that we need to fix the hospital, pay the nurses. Get the existing infrastructure up to speed, and quite frankly, they have done an abysmal job. The healthcare infrastructure in The Bahamas is the worst that has been in 20 years, and that is a categorical statement.”