Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic Reopens to Provide 21st C

Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic Reopens to Provide 21st Century Healthcare

Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis delivers the Keynote Address at the Reopening Ceremony of the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Pictured left is Dr. Philip Swann, Acting Director, Department of Public Health; and right is the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Continuing to make good on his administration's goals outlined in its Blueprint for Change to improve the delivery of health care, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis participated in 'A Celebration of the Reopening of the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic.'

A stone’s throw, down the hill from Government House, the clinic will restore services to residents of the Bain and Grant’s Town communities and surrounding areas.

“Today marks an important step forward as we improve access to quality healthcare for this community,” said Prime Minister Davis in his keynote address on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. “We are making steady progress as we turn the page on the healthcare failures of the past and move toward a healthier future.”

A week ago April 16 saw the Reopening of the Anne's Town Community Clinic, which will also restore health services to residents in Kemp Road and vicinity, boasting a digital platform to revolutionize record keeping. And two weeks prior, ground was broken for the Coconut Grove Advanced Health Centre. These facilities are designed to have a positive impact on health outcomes in the communities.

“Today at the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic clients can receive comprehensive child‑care services, child and adult immunizations including digital record searches, health education sessions, and international travel health clinic services,” said the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr Michael Darville.

He then urged residents to take full advantage of the expanded services being offered.

“To the people of Bain and Grants Town and the surrounding areas, this clinic is here for you. I encourage you to make full use of this clinic’s services. Bring your children for their well‑child visits, keep your vaccinations up to date, and seek travel‑health advice before you journey abroad. Preventive care remains our strongest defense against illness and together, we can safeguard the health of our families and our nation.”

The prime minister recalled that when he came to office in 2021, this administration committed to beginning the journey toward better healthcare.

He deemed it an “ambitious undertaking” requiring major improvements to the Princess Margaret Hospital to the tune of $75 million in this budget cycle, an expanded National Health Insurance (NHI) and prescription drug coverage as well as the introduction of a Catastrophic Healthcare Fund, upgrades to clinics and healthcare facilities on New Providence, Grand Bahama and multiple Family Islands.

“For too long, Bahamians have had no choice but to make do with a healthcare system that did not meet their basic needs. This clinic is no exception,” said the prime minister.

About five years ago, workers protested conditions at the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic, around the time when the COVID-19 pandemic exposed systemic failures in healthcare. The clinic has been refurbished and transformed to provide 21st Century healthcare services.

Dr. Philip Swann, Acting Director, Department of Public Health, said: “We are developing a self-assessment AI enabled tool to help travelers to identify what their needs are from a prophylaxis and immunization perspective, to explore avenues to enable access to the medications and therapeutics they may require, regardless of where they live in the archipelago, in alignment with the usual constraints."

The primary services will be provided for children, adult immunizations, and a site for the once weekly Traveller’s Health clinic. The public is reminded that the Ministry of Health and Wellness for at least eight years has implemented a national electronic immunization registry.

Over the years, the facility has grown alongside the community. Not only was the building upgraded on several occasions, but services were also expanded to include district nursing, antenatal care, well baby check-ups and sick baby clinics. The facility has deep roots in the country’s public health history and has served many generations of Bahamians.

More than 80 years ago, long before modern clinics populated New Providence, Infant Welfare Services were provided informally after school hours at the nearby Western Senior School. In 1941 through a donation from the Duchess of Windsor, a new Infant Welfare health facility was built here on the site, establishing a permanent space where mothers and infants could receive essential care.

Reverend C.B. Moss performed the Blessing of the Building; Prime Minister Davis and Dr. Darville and other officials participated in the ribbon cutting, then tour of the facility.

Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville brings remarks at the Reopening Ceremony of the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Also pictured -- Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis (centre); and Wayde Watson, Member of Parliament, Bain and Grant’s Town.

Cabinet ministers and senior government officials join health officials at the Reopening Ceremony of the Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.