Minister of Health and Human Services Hon. Kyle Knowles recently led an official delegation to Nassau, Bahamas, for a series of high-level meetings with the executive management team of Doctors Hospital to discuss the potential reestablishment of the facility within the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Treatment Abroad Program (TAP).
The visit formed part of the Ministry of Health’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional healthcare partnerships and improve access to specialized medical services for residents when such services are unavailable locally.
Discussions focused on the steps required for Doctors Hospital Health System to rejoin the TAP network, including matters related to service capacity, referral processes, patient experience, quality assurance, clinical oversight, and administrative coordination.
Doctors Hospital is widely regarded as a leading healthcare institution in the region and was the first private acute-care hospital in the Caribbean to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, a globally recognized benchmark for healthcare quality and patient safety.
During the visit, the delegation toured the hospital’s main facility in Nassau, including its newly commissioned cardiac catheterization laboratory, which began operations in February 2026. The facility provides advanced diagnostic and treatment services for cardiovascular and related medical conditions.
The delegation also visited the Kavala Medical Centre and toured the site of a new Doctors Hospital facility under construction in Grand Bahama. The new hospital is expected to become fully operational by the end of summer 2026.
As part of the mission, Hon. Knowles and members of the delegation visited the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine in Grand Bahama. Dean of the Founding Campus, Laura Welke, led an extensive tour of the institution, showcasing its administrative offices, lecture theatres, simulation laboratories, and clinical training facilities.
Minister Knowles said the visit reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring citizens have access to high-quality healthcare through strong regional and international partnerships.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Desiree Lewis described the meetings as productive and aligned with the Ministry’s broader objectives of strengthening the healthcare system.
The Chief Medical Officer and the National Health Insurance Board’s Interim Chief Executive Officer also participated in discussions, focusing on clinical governance, patient safety, quality standards, and program administration.
