Questions Over Construction of West NP Hospital Continue to Mount

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – It may not look like much is happening at the site of the new Western New Providence Hospital, but Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville says there’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes.

In fact, he says engineers from China Railway Construction Company are already in the country, working on the design of the new healthcare facility.

And while many are waiting to see heavy equipment and construction crews on the ground, Darville says some important steps must happen first.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister of Health and Wellness

The hospital comes with a price tag of more than $260 million, including a $195-million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.

That loan carries a two percent interest rate over 20 years, with a five-year grace period.

The remaining funding is expected to come from other local or international sources.

The planned 200-bed specialty hospital will primarily serve women and children and is set to be built on a 50-acre site in the Perpall Tract area.

Under the construction arrangement, the contractor is expected to work toward an even split between Bahamian and foreign workers.

But before major construction can begin, Darville says the foundation plans must first be approved by the Ministry of Works.

And while that process continues, preparations are being made to bring construction materials into the country.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister of Health and Wellness

“We would see a large amount of trailers at the site because materials will be coming from around the world. Some will be coming from the Caribbean, where they’re wrapping up the construction of a hospital site, I think, in Trinidad, and products will be coming in from China.”

But even with those preparations underway, the lack of visible progress has raised questions about how long it will take to get the project off the ground.

With millions of dollars committed to the development, there’s also the question of whether the government can deliver within its proposed timeline.

The Free National Movement has been one of the project’s loudest critics.

Current FNM Chairman and former Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands had this to say today.

Dr. Duane Sands – Former Minister of Health

“So they had the picture-taking ceremony. Now all the weeds are growing up again. Don’t hold your breath. But I can say this: the Rand Memorial and Princess Margaret Hospital are the worst they’ve been in decades, and what you really ought to be doing, as the government of The Bahamas, is sorting out the existing public health infrastructure.”

The project was previously given an estimated construction timeline of 30 to 36 months, but with major construction still yet to begin, questions remain about when that clock will start ticking.

And while Darville couldn’t give an exact start date, he did provide this timeline.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister of Health and Wellness

“We anticipate we should see more activity before the end of the year.”