Bahamas Signs $300M Agreement With China for New Specialty Hospital

NASSAU, Bahamas — The Bahamas and China on Friday signed a framework agreement for the construction of a nearly US$300 million specialty hospital in western New Providence, a project Prime Minister Phillip Davis described as a testament to the two nations’ enduring friendship and shared values.

“This is a significant occasion, not simply because of what it sets in motion, but because of what it represents — the continued friendship and mutual respect between our two nations,” Davis said at the signing ceremony.

He noted that Nassau and Beijing have developed a strong relationship over the years, encompassing investments in infrastructure, education, cultural exchanges, and diplomacy, “grounded in a commitment to strengthen the ties between our peoples and improve the conditions in which our citizens live and thrive.”

The new hospital is expected to feature a neonatal intensive care unit, same-day surgeries, diagnostic and imaging services, molecular medicine research, a teaching hospital component, a national morgue, a blood bank, and pathology services.

The project will be financed through a concessional 20-year loan from the China Export-Import Bank, with construction anticipated to take 30–36 months.

Acknowledging the Bahamas’ small size, Davis said, “We have always maintained that the size of a country does not determine the value of its voice or the worth of its aspirations. In China, we have found a partner that recognises this — a partner that has listened, understood, and acted in good faith, consistently.”

He added that the agreement “formalises support that will assist the country in one of the most important areas of national development: healthcare,” underscoring that access to quality healthcare is a basic right, not a privilege.

“For too long, Bahamians have had to contend with long waiting times, overburdened clinics, outdated facilities, and limited access in our Family Islands. We cannot accept that as the standard. We will not accept that,” Davis said.

“With our Chinese partners, we are creating new opportunities to deliver on that promise — building infrastructure that is fit for purpose and designed with the needs of our population in mind. This cooperation will help us continue strengthening ties with a nation that has consistently offered support grounded in mutual benefit,” he concluded.