Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
I trust the past few days have been filled with fantastic memories.
If this is your first time in The Bahamas, I hope you’ve had a chance to experience the warm embrace of Bahamian culture.
From our delicious food and lively music to the stunning landscapes that surround us, we are truly blessed to call these islands home.
Of course, friends are always welcome. So, whether this is your first visit, or your fifth, we’d love to have you back again soon.
I must say I am delighted to be here among so many ambitious and inspired health professionals keen on exploring New Opportunities in Longevity and Regenerative Medicine.
I salute Dr. Cox, her fellow organisers, and the conference sponsors for facilitating yet another impressive iteration of the HEALinc Global Summit.
Over the past few days, you’ve had the pleasure of exploring the many facets of regenerative medicine.
From stem cell research and biotech to cutting-edge gene therapies, this conference has brought to the fore some of the most topical and ground-breaking medical innovations of our day.
Once upon a time, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering would have been the stuff of science fiction.
Today, they serve as a striking reminder that the global healthcare landscape is constantly evolving.
To keep pace here in The Bahamas, we are updating our legislation, modernising our infrastructure, and augmenting our human resources.
Just last year, we passed the Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act, cementing our government’s commitment to making The Bahamas a global leader in this field.
Our aim is to position The Bahamas as a premier destination for medical tourism, where world-class talent, research, and medical technologies convene to enhance the quality of life of both residents and visitors.
A functional, effective healthcare system is, after all, the bedrock of a flourishing economy.
That is why, since taking office in 2021, we have made tremendous improvements to our existing health infrastructure.
We’ve upgraded dozens of clinics across our archipelago, broken ground on new major hospitals, expanded our emergency vehicle fleet, trained and deployed an inter-island cadre of mental health professionals, and passed proactive legislation to support the growth and regulation of Bahamian healthcare.
This month alone, we have opened three new community clinics on New Providence—an impressive achievement which bears witness to the inclusive, community-driven nature of our national health agenda.
At the same time, we recognise that a shiny new clinic means nothing with limited personnel to staff it.
We are leveraging international partnerships, built on trust, integrity, and respect, to augment our human resources in-country.
But we aren’t just looking outward. We are also creating an enabling environment for the next generation of Bahamian healthcare workers.
Just yesterday, the Government of The Bahamas signed a new Heads of Agreement with Western Atlantic University School of Medicine to double both the scale of its campus and its projected enrolment over the coming decade.
Embracing emerging technologies, upgrading infrastructure, and educating the next generation of health professionals—that is what we are doing as a government, and what we will continue to do to build up the capacity, impact, and reputation of our health sector.
Conferences such as these are an encouraging sight, as they connect our local professionals to the world, while showing the world what The Bahamas has to offer.
To all the speakers, panelists, and facilitators of the 2025 HEALinc summit, I commend you for lending your talents and insights.
I also applaud the dedicated participants of this year’s summit for driving the conversation and supporting the success of this important annual event.
As we bring this conference to a close, let’s hold on to the relationships and the solutions we’ve cultivated together.
Our work has only just begun, and it will take a team effort to transform novel ideas into improved health outcomes for our communities.
So let’s commit to keeping the conversation going.
Let’s commit to collaboration.
And let’s commit to providing the highest quality care we can to those we serve.
I congratulate you all once again on playing a part in this summit’s success.
And I wish you well on your future journeys.
Thank you, and may God bless you all!