Modern Clinic to be built in Stevenson, Cat Island

NASSAU, The Bahamas - In keeping with its commitment to provide accessible modern healthcare throughout the communities, the government entered into a $8.4 million contract with SJK Engineering and Construction Services Ltd. to build a clinic on Cat Island.

The modern facility designed to operate at an urgent care level, will be located in the settlement of Stevenson.

A contract was signed for the said facility - during a press conference at the Public Hospitals Authority on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Present were the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary; Donald Demeritte, Project Manager, Project Execution Unit; and Stefan Knowles, Owner/President of SJK Engineering and Construction Services Ltd.; and Krista Burrows, Office Manager.

"Today marks another milestone in our government's commitment to providing accessible, modern, and people-centered healthcare throughout The Bahamas," said Dr. Darville.

He was pleased to announce the official $8.4 million contract signing with SJK Construction for the construction of the Stevenson Community Clinic on beautiful Cat Island.

"Today's contract signing is a promise to deliver quality, modern healthcare close to home, and to build a system that will serve Bahamians for generations to come," said Dr. Darville.

The Stevenson Community Clinic is one of several new facilities scheduled to be built under the $43 million IDB-supported Health System Strengthening Program. This includes scheduled projects for Moore's Island and Long Cay, and renovations to the Exuma Health Care Clinic, and others.

"This project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by the Project Execution Unit (PEU) under the leadership of Project Manager, Mr. Donald Demeritte, represents more than an infrastructure upgrade," said Dr. Darville. "It is an investment in resilience, opportunity, and the future of healthcare in our Family Islands."

Preliminary works have been done to prepare for the construction phase of the Stevenson Clinic, such as land preparation, and workers will be on the ground early next week. Some 50 workers will be employed during the construction phase, including a few from New Providence, Dr. Darville said.

And, regarding an already staffing shortage, he shared that several nurses recently employed from Ghana are spread out throughout the Family Islands, and will assist in meeting staffing demands for the clinic.

"Our quest is to ensure that we upgrade the healthcare delivery service across the country, so that every Bahamian, irrespective of where you may be, can access these services at the same quality as Nassau and Grand Bahama," said Dr. Darville.

He added: "At a time when there is a global shortage of healthcare service providers, projects like this highlight the necessity of ensuring that our health infrastructure is strong, well-resourced, and sustainable."

Construction is expected to be completed within 18 months, and according to Knowles, SJK Engineering and Construction Services Ltd. is equipped to take on another Government project.

The Stevenson Clinic will be a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facility that is both weather-and disaster-resilient. Designed to operate at the urgent care level, it will offer laboratory diagnostics, telemedicine, and environmentally compliant features that set a new standard for community healthcare delivery.

"This project is about Cat Island, but it is also about national development," said Dr. Darville, adding that as Prime Minister Philip Davis has emphasized, the clinic will generate job opportunities during and after construction and add to Cat Island's attractiveness for foreign direct investment.

"More importantly, it will serve as a hub for encouraging our young people to consider careers in the wide range of professions that support a modern healthcare system," said Dr Darville.

He thanked the IDB for their continued partnership, the Project Execution Unit for their dedication, and the people of Cat Island for their patience and support.

Group Photo: Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness (second right); Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary (third right); Donald Demeritte, Project Manager, Project Execution Unit (right); Stefan Knowles, Owner/President of SJK Engineering and Construction Services Ltd. (second left); and Krista Burrows, Office Manager.

(BIS Photos/Mark Ford)