Colleagues,
Friends,
Good afternoon.
Today we forge ahead with our bold and ambitious agenda to galvanise Grand Bahama, and revolutionise our nation’s healthcare landscape.
With the signing of this latest Heads of Agreement for Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, we enter a new phase in the life of this institution, and indeed, our nation.
Following the successful completion of phases 1 and 2 of the university’s development, we now move to advance phases 3 and 4.
I am pleased to note that the campus will see a near two-fold expansion in its facilities, supporting the accommodation of 1000 medical students by January 2028.
Across all phases, the continued development of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine has generated hundreds of jobs for Bahamians. And it will continue to create enduring careers as its operations expand.
In phase 4, set to begin in late 2028, the Campus will continue its physical expansion, with enrolment projected to more than double over the following decade to a total 2300 students by April 2040.
As we look to scale up the footprint of the University, so too are we committed to guaranteeing that every motivated, medically minded Bahamian has access to a transformative education.
To this end, I am pleased to announce that the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine is partnering with the Ministry of Education to offer need-based scholarships to qualifying applicants.
We recognise that the cost of higher education can be an insurmountable barrier for families with limited incomes, and so we are delighted to make these scholarships available to aspiring health professionals.
As the University continues to build up its operations, as well as its reputation as a regional leader in higher education, it is also committed to securing and maintain full accreditation status through such reputable channels as the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions.
World-class accreditation will enable successful graduates to develop reputable medical practices while opening up opportunities international knowledge sharing and cross-cultural partnerships.
Even more importantly, educating hundreds of new health professionals each year means The Bahamas will benefit from a more robust, and better skilled medical workforce in-country.
Our healthcare system is already experiencing significant upgrades, thanks to our ambitious and proactive health policies.
We’ve opened three newly renovated clinics in New Providence alone this month. This is in addition to the dozens of clinic upgrades already completed throughout our archipelago, as well as our recent expansions to the public emergency vehicle fleet and, of course, our sustained push to complete the first phase of the Freeport Health Campus this year.
Our government has consistently invested in the health of Bahamians. And that is because what we want Bahamians to lead healthy, flourishing lives.
That means opening new clinics.
It means building new hospitals and securing more ambulances.
It also means training the next generation of Bahamian healthcare workers.
That is what we are doing today, my friends.
We are building a healthier Bahamas.
And at the same time, we are positioning Grand Bahama for a glorious future.
Thank you.