The Commonwealth of The Bahamas marked another important milestone by officially joining the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, aimed at strengthening that sector in the overall system.
The Bahamas became the 12th country and first CARICOM Member State to join this initiative.
To formally launch the Consultative Mechanism for Primary Health Care (PHC) in The Bahamas as a strategic coordination platform, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed among the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) within the framework of the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas.
The MOU was entered into during a hybrid signature ceremony at the Grosvenor Close PAHO office on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Signatories were the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness, and (virtually) Jarbas Barbosa da Silva, Jr., Director of the Pan American Health Organization and Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization. Also present were representatives from the ministry, PAHO, the World Bank and the IDB.
The Consultative Mechanism will facilitate technical coordination and promote coherence across current and future projects, as well as technical cooperation, fostering synergies among national and international stakeholders to strengthen a resilient, equitable, and PHC-centered health system, aligned with the country’s priorities.
Dr. Darville underscored the importance of entering into such an agreement at this stage in the country’s expanding health services.
“It is a pleasure to join you today and to represent The Commonwealth of The Bahamas as we mark another important milestone in strengthening primary healthcare in The Bahamas by officially joining the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas,” he said.
Adding “Primary health care is the foundation of a strong health system. It focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, routine treatment, health promotion and ensuring that people can access quality care as close to home as possible.”
Dr. Darville noted that for The Bahamas, this partnership with PAHO, the IDB, and the World Bank is about improving the health and well being of Bahamians.
“As the first CARICOM Member State to join this Alliance, we carry a responsibility to show what it can deliver for a small island developing state, and we look forward to sharing what we learn with our CARICOM neighbours as they consider this same path,” he said.
Dr. Darville further explained the signing builds on years of “purposeful health system reform” across the country.
It comes after launching the Bahamas National Health Strategy in December 2025, PAHO’s first Country Cooperation Strategy with The Bahamas in February 2026; and most recently the Public Hospitals Authority taking over the Harbourside medical facility to improve patient flow across the public health system.
In Grand Bahama, construction continues on the Freeport Health Campus, which will free the Rand Memorial Hospital to become a dedicated geriatric and psychiatric facility, and nurses are being trained towards this end.
Dr. Darville also shared that this year’s National Budget funds clinic upgrades across the Family Islands and the digital systems, including telemedicine and electronic health records, needed to connect them to specialist care in Nassau.
All stakeholders involved in the Consultative Mechanism for Primary Health Care (PHC) in The Bahamas expressed a shared commitment to strengthening health systems across the Americas.
“Ultimately, this collaboration is about ensuring that every Bahamian can access timely, quality health care, receive preventive services before illness becomes severe, and benefit from a stronger, more connected healthcare system regardless of where they live,” said Dr. Darville.
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