By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

IN AN effort to expand facilities at the RAND Memorial Hospital, the government yesterday signed a contract worth $1.9 million to purchase the Island Palm Hotel in Grand Bahama.

Formerly known as The Freeport Inn, the hotel marks the start of phase two in the hospital upgrades.

Public Hospital Authority (PHA) officials branded the new addition as a "natural fit" as it is located just north of the hospital grounds.

The ownership comes almost immediately following large scale renovations of phase one at the RAND's Accident and Emergency, Urgent Care unit, the operating theatre and day surgical unit.

The project has already cost the government $9 million.

While at a press conference in the PHA's administrative building, Third and West Terraces Centreville, Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the contract signing marked another major investment in health care.

Outlining the major benefits of the expansion, Dr Minnis said: "On one hand, the RAND Memorial Hospital will now be expanded and facilities engaged for the delivery of quality health care."

"On the other hand, it means an immediate injection into the economy of Grand Bahama, once construction begins to amalgamate the two properties."

The upgrades will also enable the RAND to overcome challenges it now faces with accommodations, he said.

"The RAND has limitations at this time with bed space, therefore, that's where the entire utilization will come in. The first thing (is to) improve or increase bed space because with the theatre facilities the volume (of patients) will increase."

When asked if the contract signing could be labeled as a political tactic to secure his seat as an MP, Dr Minnis dismissed the notion.

He said; "No. Health is beyond politics. Health has no boundaries it's not PLP, FNM and it's not DNA. Health should always be beyond politics."

PHA Chairman Veta Brown said the ownership supports the goals that the Authority has outlined.

"Among those set targets, is the consolidation of hospital services to allow for the maximisation of resources and easy accessibility.

"It is necessary for the Public Hospital's Authority to always look for those opportunities that allow us the ideal environment for achieving seamlessness in the delivery of healthcare in order to affect the best management efficiencies and disease prevention," Ms Brown said.

The hotel is made up of four buildings, including a 156-room hotel and a cafeteria that hospital personnel will soon start using, Dr Minnis said.