Minnis says plans underway to increase hospital bed capacity

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced plans to increase bed capacity at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and insisted that the government is trying to move “heaven and earth” to secure additional vaccines amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitals and deaths.

“Our public healthcare system is being stretched to its limits,” Minnis said during a national address tonight.

Minnis said an advanced team from Samaritan’s Purse is in town to expand the current 28-bed COVID-19 tent facility at PMH.

 “I am happy to announce that this coming Friday, Samaritan’s Purse will begin erecting the additional 18 beds,” Minnis said.

“Samaritan’s Purse also sought an understanding of our other clinical needs, with respect to personnel supplies and essential equipment.”

Minnis said the Public Hospitals Authority is also working with a donor who has offered to provide an additional medical tent.

“Medical tents previously donated by the United States government for other purposes are being assessed to determine if they can be turned into negative air pressure tents and used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” he added.

The prime minister also announced that the government will hire an additional 49 medical staff, along with 111 nurses and nursing support staff.

He said this will complement the staff currently dedicated to the COVID-19 response.

“The total cost of these new hires amounts to $7.1 million,” he said.

“Our plan is to engage as many trained professionals as possible to provide healthcare to Bahamians and residents and to get shots in arms, as quickly as possible, as our vaccine supply increases.

“We are also calling on all retired nurses, doctors and pharmacists, to come forward and assist in this, our time of need.”

While acknowledging that the vaccine supply is “dangerously low,” Minnis called on Bahamians to be cautious.

“I want to be very clear to all Bahamians and residents: We are in a struggle between life and death. Taking the vaccines will protect you from serious disease and death,” he said.

He said the 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca are expected to arrive in The Bahamas next week

And he encouraged residents to get the jab as soon as supplies are restored.

Additionally, he said as soon as The Bahamas receives supplies of the Pfizer vaccine, it will be offered to 12 to 17-year-olds, with the consent of their parents.

“Our hospitals are filled with real Bahamians who are very sick. In this wave, we have lost people who were our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and our family,” Minnis said.

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