We continue to approach immigration from western Hispaniola emotionally rather than rationally. However despite our past mistakes and xenophobia we should use the best available evidence and expertise to address “land ownership, property rights and building code” issues.

If the experts, after study and careful consideration, judge that it would not be safe to build in these communities, or on any other site, then we should follow their advice. Similarly, if those same experts recommend improvement in building standards such as building on stilts in flood prone areas, additional struts and bracing of our roofs etc, then those should also be adopted.

If we are a country-of-laws and we want to avoid chaos, protect and advance all people within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, then we all have to obey our laws. Safety comes first. Respect for everyone is a given. We should not be intimidated by anyone and if we do-the-right-thing we would have done better than most countries faced with these problems.

We will never get there until we institute a practice of fairness and compliance to our laws by All. This includes the employers who should ensure their employees have the appropriate legal documents, contribute to their NIB and ensure that they are paid a living wage.

We need to establish adequate counsellor services in Haiti; prosecute human-smugglers; and prosecute employers who take advantage of illegal immigrants. We have to solve the vexing problem of birth-right citizenship, the vain of the Bahamian electorate and the facilitator of these recurring tragedies. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and address them moving forward (and yes “upward, onward, together “).

We should consider re-evaluating how we approach “corrections, rehabilitation & reintegration” of many nonviolent convicted felons, especially those involving ‘drug offenses’. Having all our facilities in New Providence is also problematic, including our major corrections facility (HMP).

“Developing” the southeastern Bahamas is a good idea, but loosing that family island charm is a danger that we must avoid. The northern Bahamas must be rebuilt taking into consideration the new realities of recent storm strength and sea level rise. It is also important that our business and immigration practices conform to just & moral codes.

In this time of national crisis we should avoid knee-jerk reactions. Having China or any other Nation “Develop” any part of our country is not palatable to any right thinking Bahamian who is a student of history. The Bahamas should be developed by and for the benefit of Bahamians and those who love the Bahamas. Partnering with those who have our best interest and the best interest of our local and global environment can be a part of that, but the words of our Speaker diminishes his office and sullies his reputation. Let us think before we speak. Our leaders owe us even more deliberative opinions, forged from studious and collaborative evaluation and consensus. Our future can’t be determined by the willy nilly pronouncements of ill-informed politicians, no matter their position.

Yes many thanks to US Coast Guard. Helicopters are much more difficult and expensive to maintain; risk:benefit for us= “stick with the fixed wing aircraft” and leave the choppers to the Coast Guard and US military 👍🏽

“The current educational promotions on safe sex; that is, using condoms and other contraceptives, have done precious little to ameliorate the STD epidemic in The Bahamas. The government and healthcare stakeholders must promote the biblical position on sex, which is strict abstinence until marriage.”...

‘Contraceptives’ reduce pregnancy risks; ‘prevention and reduction of STD’s’ is something entirely different. While condoms, a barrier method, may act as a contraceptive, they have a poor track record of contraception prevention (although they’re better than the so called “Rhythm Method”). Condoms are a good way to reduce STD risks and so are other alternatives including “partner selection”, less sexual partners, less infidelity and postponing the onset of sexual activity.

Some would say we’ve tried “the biblical position(s)” for far too long and is one of the significant reasons why we currently have such high STD numbers. Let’s continue to collect the data, analyze it and use common sense objectively successful methods to address this (and other problems) proven to work here and in other places that can be adapted locally. Admittedly while morals have shifted to a more permissive culture than in previous generations, there is no current society where “biblical” approaches have been successful in reducing STD’s and Teen Pregnancies, while there are several programs tried locally and ‘worldwide’ that have.

Mr. Smith QC proposal is an excellent idea👍🏽

Nothing beats maintenance (cleaning and taking care) of what you have, no matter how old or unsophisticated the structure. The suggestions made about cleaning, laundering and resupplying are on point. So to the suggestion for a separate area for children to be seen and housed (although a new pediatric-obstetrics wing maybe a more affordable option).

The PMH A&E does need a more efficient throughput and their process can certainly be improved. There is no way to accomplish this without “monetizing” their unit, a strategic partner should help steer them in the right direction.

Lastly none of this is possible without healthcare financing aka National Health Insurance!

One strategy for dealing with the foreign beers/water/soft drinks is to use the Customs duties to disincentivize products whose wastes is not used in the recycling industry with a “recycling tax”. This tax would apply to wholesale, retail importers or individuals who hop on a speed boat and go to Miami...

The tax purpose would be to reduce glass bottles and metal cans litter, landfills and also plastic bottle use, not to discourage WTO Free Trade even though local manufacturers would benefit: win- win.

Granted the local Bahamian pirates always seem to find ways to smuggle their products, but that’s a legal enforcement issue, not an economic policy based on blind stupidity.

Unfortunate loss of life.

This is the most commonly used approach path for planes landing at LPIA. One wonders whether Civil Aviation, authorities at LPIA and all the other rescue agencies have a “Plan” in place for this sort of crash, where aircraft dive into the ocean way short of the runway.

The photos showing a fence erected north on the beach (at Nirvana?) has to be a hinderance to any rescue efforts, is likely to be both a safety hazard and is illegal if done outside the “High Water Mark”, which would be public domain. I wonder if the fence “owners” will clear the debri when this contraption rust due to the salt water, since the sharp rusty debri will likely injure unsuspecting beach goers.

The Bahamas needs UHC.

Realistically Dr. Sands is correct in his assertion. If we reject this new version of the scheme: it is DEAD.

Elections have consequences and this is the FNM’s NHI proposal. Like it or not it is their version of uhc/nhi. Sometimes the ‘purists’ among us need to realize that “the enemy of ‘good’ is ‘better’”. In those instances when confronted with an option that is not ideal, accepting it is better than nothing.

Regarding whether the 2% is a ‘tax’ or something else...who cares. It’s a small price to pay for health coverage for the sixty percent of residents not covered. The real issues will centre around containing cost. Having a health specific deduction helps ‘police’ the economics surrounding this particular service. Many more Public services need similar transparency. We should steer or augments and watchful eyes in that direction.

Further proof that we need a National Health Insurance plan to fund the $1Billion healthcare needs of Bahamians and Bahamian Residents.

A sign that we have reached political maturity would be when the two major political parties come together to address this and other extremely important national issues. Some things need bipartisan support and action.