As the Bahamas shifts from relief to recovery, the Ministry of Health is excited to announce that on Friday, 24th January, 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and the Americares Foundation.
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Established 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than 18 billion dollars’ worth of aid in 164 countries including the United States. The organization focuses closely on the establishment of long-term recovery projects and disaster preparedness programmes to vulnerable communities.
For nearly five (5) months in New Providence and nearly (4) months in Abaco, Americares has provided more than 4,000 medical and more than 2,500 mental health and psychosocial support consultations to persons impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Americares provided these services alongside our hardworking Ministry of Health staff.
The MOU will facilitate critical primary health, mental health psychosocial support services, with a social worker, clinical psychologist, and training to strengthen the capacity of the Bahamian health care system. Americares has also agreed to provide -
- medicine;
- collect data to assist the Ministry of Health to track diseases, referrals, and health service utilization during the recovery; and
- joint efforts on public relations communications.
Americares will continue to provide services in Marsh Harbour, Elbow Cay and Man-O-War Cay and expand operations to include Fox Town, Cooper’s Town, Sandy Point, Guana Cay and Green Turtle Cay.
The Ministry of Health welcomes the Hurricane Dorian Team Leader Ms. Cora Nally and the members of Americares. The Ministry looks forward to a progressive and fruitful partnership.
