Construction will begin “shortly” on a new $285 million specialty hospital in western New Providence which is being funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville told Parliament.
During his contribution to the 2026/2027 budget debate on Wednesday evening, Darville also gave an update on hospital infrastructure projects in Grand Bahama. He said essential renovations will begin at Rand Memorial Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. Work at RMH’s morgue, which Darville said had challenges because of a manufacturer, will finally be completed.
“We are also back on track with the construction of phase one of the new Freeport Health Campus, and this year we will complete the tender process for the multi-story tower on that 50 acre site,” Darville said.
“Now that the land is prepared, here in New Providence, construction will begin shortly on the design build, state-of-the-art hospital in Nassau funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank.”
In April, the Davis administration broke ground on the new multi-million, 200-bed hospital, which will be located on New Providence Highway. The facility is expected to relieve pressure on Princess Margaret Hospital.
However, the project has sparked controversy. The official opposition has criticized the plan, while US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker has suggested the government reconsider its loan agreement with China.
The project is financed in part by a $195 million loan from the Chinese EXIM Export-Import Bank.
During his speech on Wednesday, Darville also said the government concluded the purchase of the 46-bed Harbourside Hospital in New Providence through a CIBC loan a few weeks ago.
He said “in a few days” the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) will take full possession of that facility. After a few renovations, he said this new hospital will be a “crucial facility” in providing supportive care to Princess Margaret Hospital as renovations begin on the Dialysis Unit.
Darville also spoke of the government’s delays earlier this year in paying some National Health Insurance providers. He said in the upcoming fiscal year, more money was allocated “to mitigate this vexing challenge” and “compensate for the natural growth of the program”.
He said despite investments in healthcare, many challenges persist. To try and rectify the issues, Darville said officials will put together an independent task force next month to assess hospital operations and recommendations for improvement.
“Critical assessments will be made inclusive of the budgetary allocations for both the Rand Memorial Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital,” he said.
“Finally, the people of this country and by extension patients who use our public hospitals will have their say on the way forward. Let me assure the general public that we have heard both the complaints and praises of patients who use our public hospitals, inclusive of our Accident and Emergency Departments in Freeport and Nassau.
“But despite our efforts over the last four years, there is always room for improvement particularly with the long waiting times, staff shortages, the quality of service and protocols sometimes seeming to be counter-productive.”
Darville said the task force’s work should take no more than 12 weeks, after which a report will be compiled and tabled in Parliament with action to be taken based on the group’s findings.
