Good morning.
It gives me great pleasure to be here today for the signing of this Framework Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
This is a significant occasion — not simply because of what it sets in motion, but because of what it represents: the continued friendship and mutual respect between our two nations.
Over the years, The Bahamas and China have forged a strong relationship — one rooted in cooperation, development, and shared values.
That relationship has taken many forms: investment in infrastructure, support for education, cultural exchanges, and longstanding diplomatic engagement.
Each collaboration has been grounded in a commitment to strengthen the ties between our peoples and improve the conditions in which our citizens live and thrive.
The Bahamas is a small island nation, but we have always maintained that the size of a country does not determine the value of its voice or the worth of its aspirations. In China, we have found a partner that recognizes this. A partner that has listened, understood, and acted in good faith — consistently.
Today, we take another step forward in that relationship.
This agreement formalizes support that will assist our country in one of the most important areas of national development: healthcare. It reflects a shared understanding that access to healthcare is fundamental — not a luxury, not a privilege, but a basic right of every person who calls this country home.
For too long, Bahamians have had to contend with the same painful realities: long waiting times, overburdened clinics, outdated facilities, and limited access in our Family Islands.
Too many people have felt like the system was out of reach or working against them. And for our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, the conditions have often made an already difficult job even more challenging.
We cannot accept that as the standard. We will not accept that.
Our government has made it clear: healthcare must be treated as a national priority.
That means modern facilities.
That means updated equipment.
That means properly staffed hospitals and clinics.
That means emphasizing both physical infrastructure and human capacity — training, hiring, and supporting the people who deliver care every day.
But beyond brick and mortar, beyond equipment and systems, this work is about restoring trust. Restoring faith in the idea that when Bahamians fall ill, they will be seen.
That when a mother takes her child to a clinic, she will leave with answers.
That when an elder in a remote settlement needs care, they will not be forgotten.
That no matter your income, no matter your island, you will not be left behind.
That is the vision guiding our reforms. And that is the spirit in which we enter this agreement.
The Bahamian people deserve a healthcare system that works — one that meets them where they are, and one that lifts the standard of care for everyone.
With our Chinese partners, we are creating new opportunities to deliver on that promise. This cooperation will help us build infrastructure that is fit for purpose, and designed with the needs of our population in mind.
It also allows us to continue strengthening ties with a nation that has consistently offered support grounded in mutual benefit.
We have always believed in partnerships that deliver real results, and this agreement reflects our commitment to pursuing those with seriousness and care.
But I want to speak this morning as a grandfather, as a father, and as someone deeply concerned about what we are seeing in our young people.
The 2025 Global School Health Survey revealed that one in five Bahamian students between the ages of 13 and 18 have attempted suicide. One in five. That number is staggering — and heartbreaking.
There is no single cause, but we know the pressures are real: the expectations, the silence, the bullying, the economic strain at home, and the ever-growing influence of social media.
The images, the comparisons, the pressure to be perfect — it’s too much. Our children are carrying burdens many of us can’t see, and in some cases, can’t even begin to understand.
This is not just a health issue. This is a moral issue. This is a national issue. It is a call to action — for government, for parents, for teachers, for churches, for communities.
We took a major step forward in 2022 with the passage of the new Mental Health Act — the first meaningful reform to our mental health legislation in nearly 60 years. We didn’t just pass a law; we laid the foundation for a new era in how we support those who are struggling.
We’ve begun training more professionals — doctors, nurses, and community health workers — and we are training our guidance counsellors and educational officers to recognize the signs, to intervene early, and provide support that works.
But legislation alone is not enough. Training alone is not enough.
We also have to change how we show up in the lives of our children.
A tablet can’t take the place of a conversation. An iPad can’t substitute for quality time. And the pressure our children face from the constant pull of social media — the comparisons, the online cruelty, the need to be liked, followed, validated — it’s harming them. And we have to do more to shield them.
As a country, we cannot afford to lose our children to silence. We cannot allow pain to hide in plain sight. Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.
So while today we mark a partnership that will help us build physical infrastructure, I want us to also commit to building emotional and social infrastructure as well — strengthening the systems of care and compassion that will help every Bahamian, especially our youth, live with dignity, purpose, and hope.
To our partners in the People’s Republic of China — I thank you for standing with us in our pursuit of a healthier Bahamas.
To the Bahamian people — I want you to know that we see the need, we feel the urgency, and we are acting.
The work continues. And we will see it through — together.
On behalf of the people and Government of The Bahamas, I wish to express sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Thank you for your continued support and friendship.
As we move forward, let us remain focused on the work ahead — because our people are counting on us.
We owe them a system that works. We owe them dignity in care. And with the right will, the right vision, and the right partners, we will deliver it.
Thank you.