Chief councillor calls for ambulance for residents of West Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

JIMMY Smith, chief councillor for West Grand Bahama District, has called for ambulance services to be made available in West Grand Bahama, and criticised the hospital administrator for her lack of compassion.

He expressed shock and extreme disappointment that hospital administrator Jessica Cartwright felt an ambulance was not needed in the west, particularly in Eight Mile Rock, which is the largest settlement in The Bahamas.

“The local government arm under my leadership will stop at nothing to bring light and resolve to hospital administrator Cartwright’s wrong and dark assessment,” Mr Smith said in a recent statement.

“Eight Mile Rock, and by extension, the West Grand Bahama settlements, have long been neglected by successive governments in key areas. The hospital administrator’s dismissive statement is not surprising.”

“The administrator’s view marks a research that lacks acute competence and attentive compassion,” criticised Smith.

Mr Smith explained that an ambulance from Freeport takes too long and so residents do not call for emergency services because there is no ambulance in the West.

“We call on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and Parliamentary representatives directly responsible for Eight Mile Rock and West Grand Bahama, to ensure an ambulance service is made available for our good and deserving residents and visitors in this Western District,” he stressed.

In a statement issued by the Public Hospital’s Authority, PHA acknowledged that concerns raised by Chief Councillor Jimmy Smith are valid, but also represent some of the issues expressed through their dialogue with the residents.

PHA advised that the process has started to secure additional ambulances for both New Providence and Grand Bahama.

However, PHA said global demand and supply chain concerns are expected to cause some delays.

“Once the ambulances arrive in the country, we will ensure the respective communities are equipped with the emergency vehicles required,” the statement stated.

It was indicated that PHA and Grand Bahama Health Services are actuely aware of the importance of accessible healthcare services for all Grand Bahamians, particularly in the East and West End.

“As we continue the work of raising the standard of care, our efforts will include the necessary assessments required to confirm the specific needs of the communities we serve and allocate the appropriate resources to address those needs.

“We wish to assure the chief councillor and the wider public that his concerns are not falling on deaf ears. Already, PHA and GBHS have begun the work of upgrading the island’s healthcare infrastructure. Coupled with ongoing training initiatives made available through the PHA Academy, these developments represent what we believe are steps forward in enhancing the provision of healthcare.

“We believe that investing in the skills and expertise of our residents will help bridge the gap and ensure better access to quality healthcare services.

“PHA and GBHS reaffirm our commitment to fostering accessible, compassionate, and responsive health care services for all residents across the island. We stand united with officials of Local Government and our other stakeholders and partners in its pursuits of equitable healthcare access for all in Grand Bahama, and surrounding cays.”