Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis along with Member of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Economic Affairs, Sen. Hon. Michael Halkitis and other government officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Coconut Grove Advanced Health Center on Wednesday.
According to Dr. Darville the new facility will be 14,500 square feet and will cost approximately $10.5 million to construct. He said, “once completed this multi-million dollar Coconut Grove Advanced Health Center will serve as a community clinic providing primary, secondary and urgent care services taking some of the strain off of the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.”
Prime Minister Davis told attendees he sees a brighter future for healthcare in the country. “As we recognize and learn from past setbacks we are making significant strides toward a better future,” he said.
The Prime Minister also revealed the facility will be built to EDGE certification which considers cost effective strategies and sustainable energy and water use.
Economic affairs minister, Michael Halkitis also addressed the gathering. He said, “sound financial policies and advancement can only yield real progress if our people are healthy and able to contribute fully to our nation. Without robust health and wellness even the most strategic economic initiatives will fall short.”
Area Member of Parliament, the Hon. Shanendon Cartwright spoke with reporters on the sidelines of the event. He explained how the new facility will make up for the loss of smaller clinic on Acklins Street which was damaged during Hurricane Matthew. “The former clinic on Acklins Street it needed to be renovated, expanded, there wasn’t sufficient space. It is something in our administration that we were looking at. We are grateful and when I say we, the people of St. Barnabas are very grateful for the groundbreaking.”
The Davis administration has also broken ground on health care facilities in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera and Mangrove Cay, Andros. A health complex is also under construction in Grand Bahama.
The Coconut Grove Advanced Health Center will be located on Baillou Hill Road north of the National Insurance Board.
