Above: Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis Photo: BIS

The Bahamas is building a $52 million new Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, the single-largest investment in healthcare infrastructure at the site in almost 60 years, according to Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

The block will be built on the northern grounds of the hospital, representing the first phase of the government’s redevelopment plan for the hospital.

The block will ultimately comprise six operating theatres “on par with, and in some instances, surpassing major healthcare facilities in the developed world,” Dr Minnis said.

“Given the significant growth in the number of cases seen at the Princess Margaret Hospital due to trauma that require surgery, coupled with the increase in the number of general, specialty and subspecialty surgeries, and the frustrations of those professionals having to cope with undersized theatres and failing infrastructure, this new Critical Care Block is necessary to the continued provision of quality healthcare to Bahamians,” he said.

Full construction activities will begin Nov. 17, with completion expected before June 2013.

–Bahamas Information Service