Carnival Corp to help fund Bahamas hospital rebuild
Carnival Corporation and plc is to help fund the restoration of the main hospital on Grand Bahama Island, which suffered significant damage when the region was hit by Hurricane Dorian.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with The Bahamas to repair the building and replace damaged medical equipment at Rand Memorial Hospital, in Freeport.
The plan is for the hospital to be up and running by the end of March 2020.
The project is expected to include the completion of a new kitchen that was partially constructed prior to the storm, but was damaged by Dorian.
Working with a project coordinator that will have day-to-day oversight of all elements of the project, Carnival Corporation and the Government of The Bahamas will coordinate with collaborative partners in support of the restoration efforts, including Direct Relief, an international relief organisation that provides critical medications and supplies during emergencies; World Central Kitchen, a food relief organisation that serves meals to local communities following a crisis; the Grand Bahama Shipyard based in Freeport and the University of Miami, among others.
During the restoration process, Carnival Corporation will support World Central Kitchen’s continued provisioning of daily meals for patients and staff as part of an ongoing partnership following the storm.
Marie McKenzie, vice president of global ports and Caribbean government relations for Carnival Corporation, said: "In support of overall recovery efforts in The Bahamas, we have worked with government and community leaders to determine meaningful ways we can help that will deliver a lasting impact, and our shared mission to support the restoration of Rand Memorial Hospital exemplifies that commitment.
"This restoration project is crucial for the health needs of residents, while also supporting the longer-term vitality of the community and is indicative of the rebuilding progress on the island.
"Along with our partners, we look forward to supporting the government’s efforts to reopen Rand Memorial Hospital as an important step in the overall recovery of Grand Bahama Island."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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