MATTHEW TOWN, Inagua - The construction of community healthcare centres in various islands of The Bahamas has allowed the Government to consolidate access to quality healthcare for Bahamians, including those in the far-flung islands, Minister of Health Dr Hubert A Minnis said. Dr Minnis said the completion of the new Inagua Community Health Centre at Mathew Town will have the same impact on the delivery of efficient and effective healthcare in the southern Bahamas. Addressing the official opening ceremony for the facility, the Health Minister said the completion of the centre was not only important to the people of Inagua, but "the entire southern and southeastern Bahamas". "The completion of this centre will allow Inagua and the people of Inagua to play a pivotal role should there be any severe hurricane or any other medical disaster and/or emergencies as you will be able to manage and accommodate any (potential) victims," Dr Minnis said. "We recognise that citizens and residents in the Family Islands want to have the same access to specialist care as those of us who reside in New Providence and Grand Bahama and soon and very soon, we will expand that facility so that rather than you having to travel to New Providence or the United States of America or anywhere else to see a specialist," Dr Minnis continued. "That specialist will be able to conduct his or her clinic in New Providence without you having to travel for consultancy and/or diagnosis," the Health Minister added. Dr Minnis said the facility has been outfitted with an X-Ray facility - among other key facilities - that will provide medical personnel with the opportunity to take, and interpret those X-Rays more expeditiously. He said telemedicine will be introduced at the facility in the very near future which should further enhance the services that will be provided at the centre. "Twenty-first Century medicine in First World countries and The Bahamas recognise that we will not have sufficient physicians, consultant-specialists and medical facilities in all the territories throughout The Bahamas and that is why this facility is so important because at this facility we are introducing telemedicine," Dr Minnis said. "The X-Ray facility will be able to take the X-Rays here (which will allow them to) be interpreted immediately by physicians be it in New Providence, Grand Bahama and/or Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida utilising telemedicine. "In fact, Twenty-First Century medicine in First World countries realise that the only way to solve such a problem would be to introduce a system whereby medical healthcare can be consolidated, but at the same time, have our patients - regardless of how far they are - having access to that care without having to travel great distances," Dr Minnis added. The Health Minister said ministry and public health officials are working to address two other issues regarding the delivery of healthcare on the island. "There is still a delay in diagnostic facilities and therefore we will introduce a Table Top Diagnostic facility so that you can have your laboratory results in a very timely manner," he said. "I am aware of your challenges with dentistry and I can assure you that the dentist will be visiting your shores next week Wednesday," Dr Minnis added.