[ad_1]
Nassau | In 1999, the Public Hospitals Authority of The Bahamas was established by an Act of Parliament a year earlier, a revolutionary milestone in healthcare delivery in The Bahamas. Today, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) is a markedly different entity than when we were formed in 1999. Our hospital facilities are more modern; every patient in our network of hospitals and facilities has access to 21st century medical technology and a well-trained and well-equipped clinical and allied health staff.
We attribute our exponential growth to a management philosophy that balances productivity, efficiency and accountability, and a prudent growth strategy that has kept us at the forefront of healthcare not only in The Bahamas, but in the region. As The Bahamas Public Hospitals Authority celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is time to reflect on the extraordinary progress and development that has taken place in the healthcare sector over the past 25 years. Founded with a mission to enhance health services and improve public health outcomes, the Authority has overcome numerous challenges and achieved significant milestones in its pursuit of excellence.
Challenges and Milestones
In its first year, the Public Hospital Authority faced numerous challenges, including developing and strengthening clinical services in line with the National Health Plan, addressing
Administrative difficulties, establishing corporate entities and improving their operations
In response to key issues such as talent shortage, inadequate infrastructure, technology and equipment, the Authority embarked on a transformation and innovation journey.
Over the years, PHA has experienced significant challenges, including the global economic recession that began in 2008 and its impacts, the historic devastation of Hurricane Dorian, and most recently, the COVID-19 global pandemic, one of the most complex health challenges the world has ever faced.
These historic challenges are experienced by our public hospital institutions in the context of long-standing constraints on resources, manpower, and mitigation of an aging healthcare infrastructure.
and equipment shortages.
We have learned our lessons and emerged from these crises stronger and more responsive.
Strategic Initiatives
Over the years, we have implemented several strategic initiatives to address these challenges and advance healthcare delivery. These initiatives include strengthening planning mechanisms, enhancing information systems, improving management functions, financial systems, paramedical skills, patient experience and quality improvement programs, and enhancing safety.
Take steps to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
Advances in Patient Care
All of our public hospitals have made significant progress in patient care over the past 25 years.
PHA management has seen improvements in health information systems to support hospital services
and patient care, new clinics for ophthalmology, family medicine, rehabilitation and hematology
Provide banking services to PMH, carry out large-scale upgrades to the pharmacy, morgue, and operating room,
Princess Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital emergency departments, including
The latest capital project is the modernization and expansion of PMH’s Pediatric Emergency Department
Adult patients and trauma room.
Montreal Hospital and Rand make major progress in expanding critical care services
Includes PMH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and its step-down unit, special care infant
A unit that provides specialized care for newborns.
The introduction of neurodevelopmental services at the millennium, complemented by services in the neonatal intensive care unit, has helped reduce risk factors for neurodevelopmental delays in low birth weight infants.
Weight baby.
PHA introduced a patient relations program at Princess Margaret Hospital in 1997
The program has been expanded and a new group of patient relations officers have been hired
Graduate in 2022 from a specially developed training program.
Given the chronic shortage of medical professionals within our system, further
As the pandemic worsens, the Administration maintains mutually beneficial recruitment
Agreements with global health partners, most notably the Republic of Cuba
Strengthening emergency medical services
Improving emergency medical services has been a priority, setting standards
Registration and licensing of emergency medical technicians.
Medical Services works to train personnel in advanced cardiac life support and prevention
Hospital care meets international standards.
With the establishment of the PHA Academy in 2022, the deployment of
Medical services have been accelerated in Providence and throughout the Family Islands. The Public Housing Authority continues to work with
The Ministry of Health and Wellness ensures the recruitment, training and equipment of emergency medical responders, and
Catering to all Bahamian needs.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical/Surgical Suppliess
Under PHA’s management, the Bahamas National Drug Administration has made great strides in automation
Pharmacy management system and update drug catalogue to include essential medicines.
The Material Management Bureau has also implemented a modern information system to manage
Procurement and inventory of essential supplies for hospitals and clinics for the Public Housing Authority and the Department of Health
Public health.
In 2016, PHA merged with the Bahamas National Drug Administration and the Drug and Supplies Administration.
Public Housing Authority Supply Management Department responsible for supply chain
Administration of pharmaceuticals and medical/surgical supplies.
The refurbished building at 51 Shirley Street features modern office space and warehouse facilities.
PHA facilitated the purchase of a larger facility on Nassau Street as the new
The seat of the Supply Administration, which is positioned to meet
Our public health system for decades to come.
Expanding mental health services
Mental health care has also become a focus, with the establishment of community counseling centers
and assessment centres, and increased support for crisis centres, providing a range of services including
Consulting and advocacy.
In 2013, the Public Housing Authority led the Bahamas in implementing an innovative global initiative to
The World Health Organization’s mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme) promotes mental health.
Eighty-three (83) primary care physicians, nurses and mental health professionals from the Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Health and the Public Hospital Authority have adopted mhGAP
Guidelines for the Bahamian health system. Then train primary care physicians and nurses
Use adapted guidelines to provide patients with greater access to mental health services
Get primary care at community clinics.
The Community Counselling and Assessment Centre will eventually relocate from Market Street to
Located on Collins Ave. in a completely renovated building, providing improved conditions for patients and staff
Infrastructure Development
The infrastructure of our facilities has undergone tremendous improvements, including comprehensive
Infrastructure reconstruction research for our public
Hospital.
Extensive renovation of key areas such as intensive care units, operating rooms, and surgical recovery rooms
Rooms, morgues and burn units have significantly improved patient care and facility operations.
Princess Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital.
Major capital projects completed include the construction of the Children and Adolescents Hospital,
Sandilands Rehabilitation Center’s Robert Smith Special Education Complex has been expanded
the institution’s footprint and allowed for the improvement and reuse of separated spaces.
The renovation of the Geriatric Hospital and Sandilands Hospital wards and the annexes used as clinical and treatment spaces have improved patient and
staff.
The construction of the Princess Margaret Hospital ICU was the largest investment in health infrastructure by the government in more than half a century. The plan was born out of a recognition that changing social conditions and demographics required the PHA to meet the growing demand for additional operating theatres and intensive care beds.
The state-of-the-art facilities include:
- 6 operating rooms
- 1 endoscopy room
-18 preoperative/PACU beds
– 20 intensive care beds
– 62-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Level IIl) - Central Disinfection Supplies Department
- Medical Surgical Products Department
- Core Laboratory
- Meditation Area and Healing Garden
In Grand Bahama, Rand Memorial Hospital undergoes extensive restoration project
Hurricane Dorian destroyed the island’s health infrastructure.
and international partners, community clinics and Rand Memorial Hospital.
The capital project culminated in the reopening of the hospital on April 23, 2021.
The following new spaces: - Complete renovation of front entrance space, pharmacy operations and Lula Knowles
Pediatric Ward - Construction of new corridors leading to medical/surgical wards and healing gardens
space, as well as the restoration of other main arteries of the hospital - Renovation of existing operating rooms
- Construction of a new 40-foot container-sized modular operating room for pre-operative and surgical procedures
The room was incorporated into the Rand Hospital footprint to meet current service needs while awaiting the construction of a new replacement facility.
- Restoration of medical/surgical and surgical inpatient ICU, medical and surgical beds
Intensive care block - New and fully operational 2,800 square foot infectious disease department with seven (7)
Isolation spaces set up in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak - Complete and upgraded commercial kitchen/cafeteria facility with dining area
- Demolition of the Administration and Gynecology Building
Freeport Health Campus
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has collaborated with the Public Hospital Authority
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 16, 2023 for the new Freeport Health Campus in Grand
Bahamas. The $210 million health campus will be built in three phases in the east
Sunrise Highway near Lucayan roundabout. Phase 1 is planned as a dedicated arterial road.
Outpatient and urgent care centers.
The second phase will be an inpatient surgical and acute care facility for
Patients with serious or emergency illness or injury, or those recovering from surgery, and finally
The first phase of the project will see the construction of medical/surgical clinical and support areas. - Future direction
Looking ahead, the Hospitals Authority will continue to strive to promote medical services
Bahamas. With plans for a new public hospital facility in New Providence, ongoing infrastructure upgrades to existing facilities, and a continued focus on quality improvement and patient-centered care, the Authority is poised to build on its success and further raise the standard of healthcare delivery in the country. Businesses and individual citizens who wish to partner with us to improve healthcare in The Bahamas are encouraged to contact our newly formed PHA Foundation for more information or to get involved.
Hospitals Authority celebrates 25th anniversary, a beacon of progress
and innovation in healthcare in The Bahamas, reflecting a tradition of excellence and
Serve the public health needs wholeheartedly.
[ad_2]
Source link
