Minister of Health Dr. Michael Darville announced that the current NHI ACT is set to be repealed very soon in the House of Assembly, paving the way for a new NHI Bill to better serve the needs of the Bahamian people.
“The reason why that is important is because primary healthcare is paramount,” said Dr. Darville.
“It is absolutely necessary to pick up diseases in its early stages, thereby reducing the cost of tertiary healthcare services.” Dr. Darville made the announcement in Cat Island on May 18 during the launch of the Sir Ulysses “Big Daddy” Davis Cancer Screening Non-Profit, where a new method of prostate cancer screening was introduced to The Bahamas.
The Big Daddy Non-Profit successfully screened more than 100 men in Cat Island during the launch, which was attended by Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Hon. Philip E. Davis. The new, revolutionary method eliminates the dreaded finger exam. Instead, a Biospy device extracts a tiny amount of blood from the patient. State-of-the-art microfluidics make it possible to garner efficient results without any pain or embarrassment to the patient.
During the screening, Dr. Darville announced that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is presently repairing 50 clinics throughout New Providence and the Family Islands.
“We have also broken ground on one new hospital in Grand Bahama, and the new hospital in New Providence will follow suit in short order,” he said.
“In this new NHI Bil,” Dr.Darville added, “You will see a wide cross section of new screening tools will be added to the arsenal of existing screening tools, so we can do a better job for primary healthcare.”
“ I am excited to partner with this private sector group – the Big Daddy Cancer Screening Non- Profit, which presents a new, innovative test that I believe will be absolutely beneficial to the men throughout the Bahamas.”
“A colon rectal cancer test was also presented to me. That cancer is also high on the list. We plan to implement that test in our new budgetary allocation when the Prime Minister addresses the house on May 29.”
Prime Minister Davis called partnerships with private groups like the Big Daddy Cancer Screening Non-Profit as key to overcoming obstacles and reaching national goals.
“Together we are stronger, and together obstacles become easier to remove,” he said.
“That is the clarion call here – for the private sector to partner to address some of the issues we have. In this case – to eliminate the high risk of death with prostate cancer. One way is by early detection and prevention. We cannot do it alone, and so partnerships like these are important.” Cat Islanders were reassured that work is ongoing to improve health facilities and services on their island. Dr. Darville told residents that renovations to the clinic in Orange Creek are imminent. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is also preparing to break ground in Steventon for a new clinic, while the renovation of the clinic in New Bight continues.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Unit, Office of the Prime Minister was also represented in Cat Island. Kendrika Kemp educated residents and launch attendees on the SDGs, pointing out that the Big Daddy Cancer Screening Non-Profit launch was in direct correlation with SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being.
Dr.Greggory Pinto of Urology Bahamas and Warren Davis, Big Daddy Non-Profit are both grandsons of Sir Ulysses “Big Daddy” Davis, making the launch even more special. They intend to present the Biospy device and easy, painless screening test to islands throughout The
Bahamas. They felt the spirit of their grandfather, who passed away from the disease in 1991, was there propelling them to success during the Cat Island launch.
“Cat Island, you are a part of our intricate plan to ensure that the same level of healthcare services New Providence and Grand Bahama have, residents in Cat Island must have,” said Dr. Darville.
“Our EMT program will ensure that no longer will residents in Cat Island and throughout the Bahamas have loved ones thrown on the back of the truck for an emergency flight. You will have appropriate emergency and ambulance services in Cat Island. This is a mandate from our
Prime Minister and I intend to live out that aspect of the portfolio put in my hand. Thanks to the entire healthcare team in Cat Island. You are not alone. We realize there are challenges and we intend to fix many of them.”
Source: Felicity Darville
More Photo Highlight:
Prime Minister Philip E. Davis, MP for Cat Island, in his constituency for the launch of a finger-free, pain-free prostate screening initiative by Big Daddy, represented by Warren Davis, right, event organizer, and Dr. Gregorry Pinto, left, Urology Care Bahamas
(left to right) Charlie Balentine, Managing Partner, Biospy; Warren Davis, Big Daddy Cancer Screening Non-Profit; Dr. Greggory Pinto, Urology Care Bahamas; Prime Minister Philip E. Davis; Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Dr. Alfred Dawes, Biospy, and Vincent McDonald, event host
More than 100 Cat Island men turned up to take advantage of free prostate cancer screening, thanks to the Big Daddy Cancer Screening Non-Profit
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