The Government of The Bahamas and Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) signed an Amended Heads of Agreement on April 28th 2025, at WAUSM’s Freeport campus, located off East Sunrise Highway on Western Drive.
The signing allows for added expansion for WAUSM and further solidifies the government’s commitment to advancing education in the medical field locally while opening the door for more educational medical tourism investments. This milestone marks a significant step forward in both the government’s long-term vision, and that of WAUSM, for Grand Bahama’s redevelopment, and The Bahamas’ growth overall.
Having successfully completed the first and second phases of its physical expansion, WAUSM is now poised to advance to the third and fourth phases. Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that by January 2028, the campus will be able to accommodate 1,000 medical students, with enrollment projected to more than double over the following decade to a total of 2,300 students. This move, he said, will revolutionise the Bahamian healthcare landscape as well as medical tourism in The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas will benefit from a more robust and better skilled medical workforce in the country. Our healthcare system will be experiencing significant upgrades thanks to our ambitious and proactive health policies,” said Prime Minister Davis.
The prime minister added that as the government looks to scale up the footprint of the university, they are partnering with the the Ministry of Education to assist eligible students, “We recognise that the cost of higher education can be an insurmountable barrier for families with limited incomes, and so we are delighted to make these scholarships available to aspiring health professionals.”
Davis further shared that the near two-fold expansion of the facility and its continued development has created hundreds of jobs for Bahamians.
Chairman of the Board, William Colgan emphasised that WAUSM’s growth is not just procedural but pivotal in attracting students from around the world to Grand Bahama. “WAUSM will become a powerful economic engine in creating job growth and injecting tens of millions of dollars into the local economy as students, faculties and their families become active members of this community.”
All officials at the event expressed similar views, emphasizing a common theme; Grand Bahama is poised for a bright future.
In attendance were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Ginger Moxey; US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish; officials of the university; and government officials.
By SHAKARA TROTT/Bahamas Information Services
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