MITCHELL BREAKS HIS FOOT A PERSONAL HEALTH CARE TESTIMONY

There was a brief statement from the Chairman of the PLP explaining the nature of an accident which took place in the early hours of 7 February 2019 while jogging.  Mr. Mitchell recounted the story of how Obie Wilchcombe called him and said how could he in his old age get a sports injury.  They had a good laugh.  What was interesting about the issue though was Mr. Mitchell recounting the efficiency with which he obtained the medical treatment.  The accident happened at 5:30 a.m.  By 7:30 a.m. he had been diagnosed and discharged.  That happened through a combination of having medical insurance, his own money and using the private medical health care system.  He wondered aloud what would have happened if he did not have the insurance and the money and the access to private medical care. Well the wait time would not have been one hour and a half. He would have spent most of the day at the public facility. The standard of care would have been different: he would not have a boot but a cast to deal with the injury. The question he asked himself is why cannot that standard of care be available to every citizen of The Bahamas. That is what National Health Insurance is designed to do and should do.  We are still trying to get there but the FNM is fighting the PLP all the way on this.

Statement From the Chairman of the PLP
On Medical Condition
Senator Fred Mitchell

7th February 2019

At about 5:30 a m at Montagu Beach 7 February 2019, Senator Fred Mitchell was injured in a freak accident while jogging on an unexpectedly uneven surface of the public road. The injury was diagnosed as a Jones Fracture at the Doctors Hospital at approximately 6 30 a m and he was discharged to the care of an orthopaedic surgeon. The resulting treatment requires a boot for a period of 6 to 8 weeks and the attendant limited mobility during the period. This may result in a reduced schedule for the Chairman over that time so that the injury might properly heal.

Senator Mitchell thanks all those who have expressed their concern.