The healthcare system in The Bahamas is “broken, overburdened and desperately struggling to meet the healthcare needs” of Bahamians, Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville said yesterday.
During his first communication in the House of Assembly, Darville said it is plain that the medical infrastructure in the country is crumbling.
“…There is a manpower shortage, our staff are overworked and our nurses are exiting the system almost as fast as we train them,” he said.
“I have also had the opportunity to speak with scores of healthcare professionals, patients and Bahamians from all walks of life and I can safely say that patients and healthcare workers alike are tired of talk.
“They want action, they all want to see and feel real change at healthcare facilities across the country.”
The system was pushed beyond its breaking point because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare system in many countries was pushed to its limits or collapsed under the weight of thousands of COVID-19 patients.
Darville said the Davis administration intends to enhance its COVID-19 response and strengthen healthcare system integration and care.
“Over the next 100 days, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will work to define the new structural adjustments needed in order to achieve the reforms necessary to maintain this dual focus and, over the next few weeks, we will unveil the new structural adjustments needed at the ministry in order to achieve the ministry’s new deliverables,” he said.
COVID
Darville noted it now appears that the trend in new cases per day has been decreasing.
“Over the past 28 days, the seven-day moving average of new cases for the entire Bahamas has decreased from 63 new cases down to 22 new cases per day,” he said.
“For New Providence, the trend has moved from 51 new cases to 19 new cases per day. For the Family Islands, the seven-day moving average has declined from nine new cases to three new cases per day.
“I am now advised that using the COVID-19 Travel Health Notice levels criteria as described on the CDC website and the new case data available at the time of this report, The Bahamas could petition for a reduction in its COVID-19 Travel Health Notice from Level 4 down to Level 3 in the coming weeks.
“While this petition is not strong today, the new case trend data suggest that the strength of this petition will increase in the coming weeks.
“This has important implications for our tourism industry and the further opening of our local economy.”
In August, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised American citizens to avoid travel to The Bahamas due to an increase in COVID cases.
It was the fourth time the CDC changed its guidance on travel to The Bahamas.
At the time, The Bahamas was recording record COVID cases, deaths, and hospitalizations.
Darville noted yesterday that the number of COVID hospitalizations is decreasing as well. But, COVID deaths continue to rise.
As of October 25, 643 people died from COVID in The Bahamas.
“This number is high even compared to our Caribbean neighbors and we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to reduce the incidence of death from this virus,” he said.
“We believe that early intervention at the onset of the disease along with new COVID-19 medications will result in more favorable outcomes. So, we strongly encourage persons who experience medical symptoms associated with COVID-19 to seek medical help as soon as they experience discomfort, particularly in breathing.”
As of October 25, 22,306 people contracted COVID in The Bahamas. There were 86 people in hospital with the virus, 14 of whom were in the Intensive Care Unit.
Regulations
The government also intends to present new regulations by way of the existing Health Services Act to govern the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, Darville said.
Darville added, as promised on the campaign trail, that the Davis administration will not renew the current emergency order when it expires on November 13.
“Already, we are in talks with the Office of the Attorney General to devise fresh new legislation to address the management of major health risks in The Bahamas,” he said.
“As part of this legislation, we will remove and redefine the role and duties of the competent authority.”
A state of emergency was declared last March when the first COVID case was recorded. Various emergency orders were made limiting the movements of Bahamians, the operation of non-essential businesses, and other mandates deemed essential, to prevent the spread of COVID.
The orders were issued by the competent authority, defined in law as the prime minister.
The post 100 days to define reform of ‘crumbling’ healthcare system appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/100-days-to-define-reform-of-crumbling-healthcare-system/
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