The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW), through its Project Execution Unit (PEU), will host a site tour of the soon-to-be National Reference Laboratory on Russell Road, marking a key milestone in the modernization of the country’s public health infrastructure.
The contractors Scorpio Construction Ltd. is represented by Stafford Evans Sr. and Stafford Evans Jr., whose team is executing the nearly $2 million transformation of the former Bahamas Mortgage Corporation Building into a state-of-the-art laboratory facility. The tour will include the Hon. Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health & Wellness; Permanent Secretary, Colin Higgs; Dr. Indira Martin, Director of the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Project Manager Kevin Bell, who reviewed progress as the project approaches its anticipated completion next month.
The retrofitting of the National Reference Laboratory forms a critical component of the IDB-funded Programme to Support the Health System Strengthening of The Bahamas (BH-L1053). This initiative aims to improve access, quality, and efficiency of health services while strengthening resilience against climate-related and public health risks.
Upon completion, the upgraded facility is expected to significantly enhance national diagnostic testing capacity, support more efficient disease surveillance, and strengthen preparedness for public health emergencies. The project incorporates resilience and sustainability features, including energy-efficient design principles aligned with the IDB’s sustainable development framework.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness continues to advance priority infrastructure projects that support improved healthcare delivery, strengthen national capacity, and contribute to better health outcomes for all Bahamians.
