Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks at the Opening of the Old Bight Community Clinic

Ladies and gentlemen,

Moments like these mean so much to me. 

They mean so much not just because of what we are doing but because of where we are.

Old Bight is home.

It is where my grandmother taught me, from a young age, what it means to look out for one another, care for your neighbour, and  share resources. It is here that I realized that access is a necessity. 

I know what it means for families to plan for, save for, and sometimes travel far to see a doctor. 

I grew up in a time when families had to wait, worry, and wonder when they might be able to get help. 

Memories like these have stuck with me. They have shaped how I see the responsibility and role of government in people’s lives.

And now, as Prime Minister, I carry those memories with me. 

That is why, from day one, my government has dedicated itself to strengthening our healthcare system and expanding access. We have since opened a new Accident and Emergency unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital and we have upgraded and expanded the emergency entrance on Elizabeth Avenue.  

But openings like this beautiful clinic before us today demonstrate a broader commitment beyond Nassau. 

It shows that we have been intentional about upgrading clinics across our Family Islands, because people outside of Nassau deserve access to care at home.

Expanding access is about having a presence on every island. It is about making sure that receiving the best possible urgent and outpatient care is not something you have to leave your island for. 

Today, we take another step forward in that commitment with the opening of this 3,300 square foot facility, right here in Old Bight.

I am excited to note that each feature of this clinic strengthens healthcare capacity and widens access. 

A covered drop-off area welcomes our patients with comfort, because care begins long before patients enter the building. 

Inside, the lobby and registration have been designed with efficiency and compassion in mind. 

It is a space that supports a smooth process and one that allows families to move through the system with greater ease. 

The inclusion of a dedicated triage room reflects a thoughtful and patient-centered approach to how care will be delivered here. 

Triage is where critical decisions are made, and it is where urgency is assessed. Having a space designed for that purpose ensures that our patients are assessed in a way that respects their condition and their dignity. 

This process will allow health care professionals to respond quickly and effectively, enabling them to prioritise the most pressing cases and better manage their time and resources.

I am equally excited to note that the presence of a pharmacy, a laboratory, and a phlebotomy room will ensure patients can see a doctor, complete necessary tests, and receive medication right here in this community.

This means less time spent on a plane to Nassau, less time between diagnosis and treatment, and more time focused on healing and recovery.  

For me, this clinic is deeply personal. It represents a commitment to a community that helped shape me. But this moment is bigger than me because it reflects the hopes of families across this island. 

For parents, this means being able to respond quickly to an unwell child. 

For the elderly, it means more accessible and consistent care. It means not having to go very far to receive routine procedures. 

For those who are sick, it means early intervention and a stronger chance of recovery. 

At a national level, facilities like this one play a vital part in easing the strain on our hospitals. 

When communities have access to primary care, fewer cases need to be escalated. This means that our hospitals get to focus on critical care while our clinics work to keep our communities healthy. 

This is how we will build a stronger system and expand access to better healthcare for all. 

Clinics also create opportunities and spaces for our doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to serve in communities across our islands. 

Today, I want to speak directly to those professionals. 

You are the lifeblood of our healthcare system. 

Your training and your compassion are essential. 

You deserve to work in environments that support you and allow you to provide the highest standard of care. 

This clinic is part of that commitment. It represents the fulfillment of our promise to prioritize effective and accessible healthcare. 

I am grateful to Dr. Darville and his team at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, to DWR Construction Company, and to all of our partners who helped make this project a reality. Your work will have a lasting impact on this community. 

Standing here today, in the community where I grew up, and with the people who helped shape me, I am proud to see progress come to Cat Island, not just in the form of new clinics, but in the form of major investments in airports and infrastructure to prepare this island for growth.

On behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, I offer my congratulations to the people of The Bight. 

It is now my honour to declare the Old Bight Community Clinic officially open.