COI Membership Acceptance
COALITION OF INDEPENDENTS SHADOW MINISTER OF HEALTH SPEECH
BY
DR. VERONICA MCIVER
Hello Bahamas!
Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed guests and fellow Bahamians.
It is a pleasure and an honor to be here this evening and to be invited to join the Coalition leadership as the Shadow Minister of Health. Some of you may ask why I teamed up with the Coalition and Mr. Lincoln Bain. My reason for joining the Coalition is because I believe in the vision of our leader Mr. Bain. His vision is transformational. He IS a leader and NOT a politician. A leader makes tough decisions that will affect generations to come. A politician makes decisions to be reelected in five years. There is a song many of you may be familiar with by Pat Rahming:
They comin’ out the woodwork just like worms
Everybody catching politics like germ
Chasin after sweetness just like fly
Everybody know another five years done gone by
So, Mr. President……… I accept your offer to be a part of this leadership team—a team with a vision, a team to transform this country and a team where we are proud to be of service to our people.
I stand here tonight with a sense of pride and my desire to serve the people of this great Nation where democracy allows our voices to be heard and despite some of our differences we as Bahamians are more alike in our common hopes and dreams than we think.
Today, I stand before you to discuss a matter of utmost importance—one that affects the well-being of every citizen of our beloved Bahamas. It is a topic that resonates deep within our hearts and touches the lives of countless individuals— family healthcare. Our nation’s health is the cornerstone of progress and prosperity, and it is high time we prioritize the improvement of healthcare in the Bahamas.
In pursuit of a brighter future, we must acknowledge the challenge that lies before us. Our public healthcare system is in crisis. The system is burdened by inefficiencies, and a lack of resources such as:
1) Deteriorating hospitals and clinics
2) shortage of equipment
3) shortage of beds
4) shortage of medicine
5) and shortage of staff
——have all become a plague in our health system
But let me be clear, this is not a time for despair. It is a time for opportunity— a chance to build a healthcare system that is resilient, comprehensive and compassionate. One that meets the needs of its patients while focusing on the well-being, happiness and proper compensation of our medical staff.
Our healthcare system is not only affected by viruses, bacteria or a pandemic but rather by social ills such as health inequity, misinformation and poverty; Speaking of poverty——
I’ve heard intellectuals affiliated with this government say that Bahamians need to be more resilient. Indirectly these intellectuals are saying Bahamians need to pull up their boot strap. Martin Luther King in 1967 during an interview said “We ought to do all we can and seek to lift ourselves………. How can you ask a man who have fallen through the cracks economically and have not been empowered economically over the past 50 years to pull up his bootstraps when he does not even own a boot”. It is cruel to do so.
I firmly believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the duty of our government to ensure that every citizen has access to affordable and quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Together, we must strive to build a healthcare system that leaves no one behind where every individual can receive the care they need when they need it. Therefore, we will strive to ensure that free healthcare services are easily accessible to all. (Those that wish to keep their private insurance are free to do so). However, FREE healthcare will be available to all citizens.
I envision working closely with experts, healthcare professionals and stakeholders to develop comprehensive policies that address the pressing issues in our health sector. I will advocate for increased funding for healthcare, and the implementation and expansion of innovative technologies like telemedicine that can bridge the gap and bring healthcare closer to every doorstep.
We envision ambulance outposts that will reduce wait times and save lives. How many of us have heard that there were no ambulances available when we called? How many of us have heard that they called an ambulance an hour ago and they have not yet arrived. Someone can die, especially in life threatening conditions when there is a delay in ambulance services. So, ambulances will be placed strategically throughout Nassau and the family islands to effectively reach their destination in minimal time.
We also propose a fleet of 5 Air ambulance helicopters which will bring peace of mind to family Island residents. The fleet will be funded by a mandatory insurance fee added to the airline tickets of each visitor to our shores. This will also guarantee that in the event of an emergency tourists and residents can receive Air ambulance service to Florida. Helicopters can also assist in emergencies immediately after a catastrophic hurricane where roads are impassable and when airports are inaccessible to transport the injured.
My vision for a healthier Bahamas extends beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. I believe in the power of prevention and the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle. We must invest in public initiatives that educate our citizens about the benefit of exercise, proper nutrition and disease prevention. By prioritizing preventive measures and improvement, we can reduce the burden on our healthcare system and improve the overall well-being of our people.
Those who register for the Free Universal healthcare system will be assigned a health advisor and will be screened and monitored regularly. Those predisposed or at risk for health issues will be more closely monitored for exercise and eating habits with the aid of a mobile app.
For example, patients with noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure can choose to have an app that reminds them when they pull up to a fast food establishment (example: fried foods and oversized “biggy” sugary drinks)—-the app will prompt them to make better choices in their food selection for optimum health concerning their condition.
We will focus on enhancing public health initiatives, such as awareness campaigns, regular health screening and immunization progress. By investing in preventive measures, we can save lives and alleviate the strain on our healthcare system. This will reduce the costs of providing healthcare, creating a return on investment by investing in our health.
Equally vital is the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals. Our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers are the backbone of our system, and we must support them wholeheartedly. We will provide increased training opportunities, competitive salaries, and better working conditions and benefits to attract and retain the best talent in the medical field. Together we can cultivate a healthcare workforce that is dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate delivering top notch care to every Bahamian.
There is a young lady here by the name of Cara Ellis. Cara was the youngest candidate in the last general election at the age of 21. Her greatest wish is that our party institute a Ministry of Mental health as mental health she said was not getting the importance it deserves. Cara, I heard from you and I am happy to say that our Ministry will focus heavily on resources for this department while reducing the stigma related to mental health. Many of our social ills today has its root in Mental well-being. Examples of challenges that our community face daily are in areas of domestic violence, depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, childhood trauma from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, sleep problems, cyber bullying, suicide and finally conflict resolution on our streets. Despite the mental health challenges we face, our ministry will tirelessly address these challenges and create a society where mental well-being is prioritized, supported, and celebrated.
I envision a health city including a state-of-the-art General hospital, a naturopathic and holistic medical center, where natural remedies are used including “bush Medicine”, a wellness center, physical rehabilitative center and state of the art labs.
My fellow Bahamians, the road ahead may be challenging but I stand here today, filled with unwavering determination and boundless hope for our nation’s health. Let us join hands and embark on this transformative journey together—a journey that leads us to a future where every Bahamian has access to quality healthcare, irrespective of their circumstances. Our commitment to improving healthcare is a testament to our values, our compassion and our unwavering belief in the potential of our people.
In conclusion my fellow Bahamians in the words of Nelson Mandela, “Health cannot be a question of income; it is a fundamental human right.” Let us rise above the challenges, embrace the opportunities, and forge a healthcare system that reflects the true spirit of our great nation—The Bahamas.
Thank you, and may God bless our proposed endeavors for a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous New Bahamas.
Change ain’t coming!
Change is here
