The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration says the long-promised Palmetto Point Advanced Medical Facility on Eleuthera remains on track for completion by the end of 2026, though officials acknowledge that delays in sourcing specialised materials could test that timeline.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the nearly 14,000-square-foot facility is intended to serve as the central hub for healthcare services on Eleuthera, providing advanced support to satellite clinics across the island when cases exceed the scope of primary care.

He said the facility will be capable of handling some elective surgical procedures and aspects of secondary care, and will include overnight rooms, surgical suites, prenatal services and other medical departments.

Dr Darville added that discussions are underway about installing a telepad to support emergency response in the event of a mass-casualty incident on the island.

“In this facility, the resident can expect digital X-rays. We would have lab and diagnostics that will be able to improve the quality of healthcare on the island and prevent residents from Eleuthera traveling by flight or by boat to have X-rays, Lab works, all of that will be done at this particular facility,” he said.

Works Minister Clay Sweeting said the construction contract for the project was signed for just over $8m, but stopped short of committing to a fixed completion date.

“I wouldn't want to put a specified timeline, but I can say they are within schedule and that the contractor would be able to speak more on the delivery date, but we are within schedule. We should be finished by at least end of 2026,” he said.

The most significant risk to that timeline lies in the procurement of specialised materials, according to Livingston Forbes, the Ministry of Works’ project architect for the facility.

He said environmental considerations have been built into the design, including the use of impact-resistant glass windows, but those same specifications could present logistical challenges.

“That's one of those items that may give the contractor some challenges with respect to because those are long wait items, the windows, the doors, the roofing materials, which is a metal roof, those are long wait items which may challenge his completion date, but overall, I think the contractor is conforming to the specifications and design.”

Mr Forbes said he could not estimate the length of any potential delay, noting that the materials are already on order and can take three months or longer to arrive, depending on sourcing and global supply pressures.

He explained that international competition for materials has continued to affect delivery timelines, complicating project scheduling across the region.

From the contractor’s perspective, Carey Construction representative John Norris Carey said the project has already delivered tangible economic benefits to Eleuthera.

He said workers have been hired from settlements across the island, ensuring weekly circulation of income throughout local communities. The workforce fluctuates between 45 and 50 people, with machinery and materials sourced from multiple suppliers.

He said public reaction has been positive.

“We are Bahamians, and you know what we do best, complain. But I think the complaining stage is almost over now because of what they see. If they really want to see it, they could come here and drive through, like one or two has done that. They come from far south or far north. They say, ‘Oh, I thought there's only a little place out looking from the front’, but you have to be here to really see it.”

Dr Darville said the Palmetto Point facility forms part of a wider effort to strengthen healthcare delivery outside New Providence, noting that officials are in the process of renovating as many as 52 clinics across the Family Islands.