GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith returned home to Grand Bahama on Friday, December 9, 2022 for his Annual Christmas Visit with the Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) at the Rand Memorial Hospital.

His Excellency deemed it a special treat to be home and an honour to join with the medical professionals and support staff at the Grand Bahama Health Services for the special event.

The day was marked with a grand ceremony just in front of the hospital, filled with good cheer as His Excellency, his wife, Lady Clara Smith, Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville and invited guests basked in the melodious sounds of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band and the Emergency Medical Service Department.

While bringing remarks, the Governor-General told the medical professionals and support staff that he is cognizant of the devastation the they and their families suffered during Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Many of you lost properties. All of you lost utility services for a long, inordinate amount of time. Others have lost jobs. Some of you have lost families and friends to the cold hands of death. But through it all you, the members of the Grand Bahama Health Services, survived and you’ve become a more united, a stronger family,” he said.

“It is because of your compassion. It is because of your love and your courage. It is because of your resilience that we are here today. Here today full of hope and expectation. We are grateful to God that we were spared the fury of Nicole.”

His Excellency expressed the country’s deep sense of appreciation for the stellar service, which the members of the GBHS provided during those times difficult on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas and the nation.

“It’s you who are the heroes and heroines of the Grand Bahama Health Services and I extend my sincerest congratulations to each of you,” he said.

His Excellency also revealing how pleased he was at the tremendous progress which has been made of the repair and reconstruction of the health infrastructure in Grand Bahama, after the destruction of Hurricane Dorian.

Furthermore, he commended all stakeholders and donors who partnered with the GBHS to ensure that during the most challenging times that health services on the island were accessible to all who needed them.

“For those who are hospitalized during this time, Christmas cheer can feel very far away from them and that is the reason why I take this tradition of visiting our nation’s public hospitals so very seriously. Because visiting the sick, extending compassion and well wishes for recovery is a fundamental element of Christian love and it is an opportunity to engage, not only with the patients, but also to engage with you, the amazing men and women who provide such critical care for our ill patients,” he said.

His Excellency also reminded those in attended that it was also an appropriate time for everyone to count their blessings and he extended to those present his sincere wish for a healthy and joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Minister Darville also brought remarks and revealed that plans are on schedule for the upgrades at a number of the clinics on the island, including the installation of two modular units on the hospital grounds that will house 18 additional beds and enhance the support and rehabilitative services at the Rand.

Following the ceremony, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening and blessing of the pharmacy services; and the Governor-General, Lady Smith and Minister Darville were given a tour of the hospital and visited a number of the wards.

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith was in Grand Bahama on Friday, December 9, 2022 for his Annual Christmas Visit with the Grand Bahama Health Services.

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith, while home for his Annual Christmas Visit at the Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama on Friday, December 9, 2022, thanked the members of the Grand Bahama Health Services team for going beyond the call of duty during the most recent difficult times.

Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville revealed during the ceremony to mark Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith’s annual Christmas visit to the Rand Memorial Hospital on Friday, December 9, 2022 that several upgrades planned for the hospital and a number of clinics are on schedule.

 His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith, and his wife, Lady Carla Smith, performed the honours during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening and blessing of the pharmacy services at the Rand Memorial Hospital following the official ceremony marking his annual Christmas visit on Friday, December 9, 2022.

BIS Photos/Lisa Davis