Earlier today, the Hon. Jache Adams, JP, MP, Minister of Public Works and Environment, together with the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health, hosted a press conference outside the Mangrove Bay Clinic to share the latest developments regarding the site. The Ministers toured the facility, engaged with the project architect, and spoke with members of the construction crew. They were joined by several members of the Ministry of Public Works and Environment team who are actively involved in advancing this important project.

Mangrove Bay Clinic Renovation, Minister of Health, The Hon Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Remarks

In 2023, I announced that $700,000 in capital funding had been allocated for the renovation of the Mangrove Bay Clinic, covering the building permit, construction drawings, and equipment purchase.

Today, I am pleased to stand before you as we break ground on this long-awaited project.

This clinic represents more than just a new building. It is a commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare for the people of the West End. Just as residents in the East End have a local clinic, West End residents deserve the same level of care close to home.

Preparation began in 2023/24, paving the way for construction to commence in early 2024/25, following the official permitting and contractor selection process. Once complete, this facility will offer essential health services, including:

• Oral health services
• Well-baby visits, including child immunizations and development checks
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology
• Sexual and reproductive health services
• Adult wellness clinics
• Integrated mental health services in partnership with MWI

For too long, West End residents have had to travel outside their community for these critical services. That changes now. This clinic will be a cornerstone of community wellness, ensuring that those in Somerset and the surrounding areas have reliable healthcare right where they live.

Medical clinics play a crucial role in the community by making quality healthcare accessible to those who may face financial or geographic barriers.

By offering free or subsidised essential services close to home, these clinics help ease financial burdens, reduce travel difficulties, and improve overall well-being. Their presence not only strengthens public health but also fosters a sense of support and care, ensuring healthcare is within reach for all.

I have been pushing for this initiative for quite some time because I know firsthand the value it will bring to our community, not just in improving healthcare access, but in strengthening the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

As the Minister of Health and one of the area MP’s, this project is near and dear to my heart. More than that, this is my home. I live here, I walk these streets, and I hear directly from residents about how much they look forward to the clinic's return and the impact this clinic will have.

We all appreciate the need for a clinic in this area, and today, I am very happy that we are bringing that vision to life.

Let’s celebrate this milestone and look forward to a healthier future for Bermuda, as we strive for Healthy People in Healthy Communities!

Thank you!

Restoration of the Mangrove Bay Health Clinic, Minister of Public Works and Environment, The Hon. Jache Adams, JP, MP, Remarks

Good afternoon Minister Wilson, colleagues, and members of the media,

Thank you for joining us here in Somerset as we mark an important moment for our community and our country.

The restoration of the Mangrove Bay Clinic is more than just a construction project, it’s a sign of progress, a return of service, and a reaffirmation that your Government is listening, acting, and delivering for the people.

From the outset, it’s important to note that this project is possible because of the increase in the Government’s capital budget. This increase allows us to do more repairs, more upgrades, and more investments that have a real and lasting impact on the daily lives of Bermudians. The restoration of this clinic is a clear example of how increased investment can translate into better services and stronger communities.

As someone with deep Somerset family roots, I know firsthand how important this clinic was to the people of the West and how its closure in 2017 left a real gap in access to care, one that was deeply felt by many families. So reopening this facility isn’t just about bricks and mortar it’s about restoring something vital to the health and dignity of this community.

The work now underway is comprehensive. Scheduled for completion over an 11-month period from June 2025 to May 2026, we’ve engaged Sunrise Construction, a majority Bermudian-owned firm, to lead the restoration. They are performing structural repairs and waterproofing, installing modern HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fire systems, and giving the clinic a full interior rebuild. The clinic will also feature new finishes and updated medical and dental equipment, with a layout designed to meet the standards of care that today’s patients expect and deserve.

We’re also ensuring that every dollar spent here goes back into our local economy. All subcontractors and vendors involved are Bermuda-based. Even the dental suite was sourced with both quality and value in mind. This isn’t just a smart capital project, it’s an investment in Bermudian workers, businesses, and talent.

I want to be clear: the decision to renovate this Government-owned asset was not taken lightly. We looked at several alternatives, including leasing and retrofitting privately owned buildings. But those options came with higher costs and more complications. In the end, restoring this facility made the most sense, and it gives us the flexibility to meet the needs of this community now, while we plan for the future.

While the new Lefroy Care Community is still several years away, this clinic fills the gap in the interim. It provides a practical and forward-looking solution that restores access to essential services today, while supporting the broader health reform goals of tomorrow.

And while I will leave it to the Minister of Health to speak more about the services that will be provided here, I want to underscore that this clinic’s reopening is a tangible example of this Government’s commitment to building a stronger healthcare system from the ground up.

This work is not happening in isolation. Across Bermuda, this Government is moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose. In the West alone, we’ve recently completed repairs to a structural wall at Scaur Hill. We’ve repaved roads throughout Sandys and Southampton. We’ve done essential maintenance on Watford Bridge and will soon apply a protective coat of paint to ensure its longevity. These are not headlines, they’re real improvements that affect your daily life.

To the people of Somerset: this clinic represents a promise made and a promise kept. To the people of Bermuda: it’s one of many steps your Government is taking to prepare our island for the future.

Better days are not just possible, they are already on the way.

Thank you.