NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Health the Hon. Renward Wells said well ahead of COVID-19, the human, infrastructural, and technological foundations of The Bahamas’ health system have been challenged.

“As a result of these challenges, we continue to be deeply concerned about the level of a surge and the consequence thereof on the well-being of the Bahamian people,” Minister Wells said during his Contribution to the Debate to Extend Emergency Orders in the House of Assembly, Thursday, July 23, 2020.

He explained that the global pandemic came to The Bahamas on the heels of Hurricane Dorian, compounding an already strenuous situation among the nation’s people, especially their mental health.

“Hurricane Dorian uncovered years of undiagnosed, unrecognised, and unresolved mental health issues as we sought to adjust to the ‘new normal.’  We never dreamed that an even more devastating ‘normal’ was ahead.”

He stated that thankfully, the newly formed local and international mental health alliances continue to maintain a presence, and activity, in respect of COVID-19, providing tele-psychological services to ensure that residents adversely impacted by COVID-19, have access to mental health services and support.

Minister Wells said it is through this mechanism that the Health Ministry is making mental health support available to the residents during the lockdowns where and when necessary.