Building a Stronger, More Accessible Health System for The Bahamas

The Covid-19 crisis placed enormous strain on The Bahamas' health system. As the government directed resources towards the pandemic response, ambulatory and primary healthcare services were disrupted, deepening pre-existing gaps caused by geographic barriers and inadequate healthcare facilities, particularly across the Family Islands. 

Objectives

Placing quality, community-centred healthcare within everyone's reach 

The project works to develop the Bahamas' health system to meet the population's needs, by expanding the capacity of primary healthcare to deliver accessible, high-quality services. It integrates primary and secondary care, introduces a community-centred model of care and raises the efficiency of services. The project aligns with the Ministry of Health and Wellness's post-Covid priorities and with the Global Gateway strategy's commitment to resilient healthcare systems worldwide. 

Project activities

The project will build two new healthcare facilities, retrofit four existing ones and procure and upgrade medical equipment. It also introduces digital health information systems across 54 clinics, raising the quality and coordination of care. 

(Expected) Results

The project is expected to deliver: 

• Better access, coverage and quality of community and ambulatory services through a person- and community-centred model of care, particularly for remote populations
• Dedicated services and protocols for victims of gender-based violence
• Greater efficiency across health services
• Direct benefits for approximately 70,000 people living across twelve Family Islands
• Benefits for 220,000 people nationwide through the retrofitting of the National Reference Laboratory 

Implementing partners

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)