So why do we call it Hospital Lane?
Posted by A. Gabriella Fraser
In an illuminating presentation to Nassau Sunrise Rotarians, Gastroenterologist Dr. Harold Munnings took a brief walk through Bahamian History, but did so through the annals of hospital care in The Bahamas.
In an illuminating presentation to Nassau Sunrise Rotarians, Gastroenterologist Dr. Harold Munnings took a brief walk through Bahamian History, but did so through the annals of hospital care in The Bahamas.
From West Hill Street's African Hospital in 1780, and Shirley Street's Poor House in 1809. Which became the New Providence Asylum in 1862 and later the Bahamas General Hospital. To the 1908 Lunatic Asylum on Crazy Hill, Fox Hill's Sandiland's Rehabilitation Centre in 1956, and the more modern New Bahamas General Hospital in 1953.
The New Bahamas General Hospital was soon renamed the Princess Margaret Hospital, following a 1955 visit to The Bahamas by Her Royal Highness, the last leg on her tour of the British West Indies.
Among the many intriguing things covered by Dr. Munnings was how Hospital Lane got its name.
He explained about the generous intellectual and monetary contributions of Mr. James Rand Jr., for whom Grand Bahama's Rand Memorial Hospital is named. And how a fatal 1968 gas blaze forever changed the country's perspective on the safety and health of the workplace. In particular worker compensation in job related accidents. This blaze he said ignited the path that brought about the National Insurance Board.
Dr. Munnings drew on text from his book "Princess Margaret Hospital: The Story of a Bahamian Institution", which was the basis for his talk.
Said one Rotarian, "this was one of the most interesting and colourful presentations of Bahamian history that I've heard. You'd never think that so much could be tied to a single institution".
In thanking him for his presentation, Club Treasurer Crestwell Gardiner lauded Dr. Munnings for his body of work, and encouraged him to share his efforts with as many Bahamian audiences as possible.
From West Hill Street's African Hospital in 1780, and Shirley Street's Poor House in 1809. Which became the New Providence Asylum in 1862 and later the Bahamas General Hospital. To the 1908 Lunatic Asylum on Crazy Hill, Fox Hill's Sandiland's Rehabilitation Centre in 1956, and the more modern New Bahamas General Hospital in 1953.
The New Bahamas General Hospital was soon renamed the Princess Margaret Hospital, following a 1955 visit to The Bahamas by Her Royal Highness, the last leg on her tour of the British West Indies.
Among the many intriguing things covered by Dr. Munnings was how Hospital Lane got its name.
He explained about the generous intellectual and monetary contributions of Mr. James Rand Jr., for whom Grand Bahama's Rand Memorial Hospital is named. And how a fatal 1968 gas blaze forever changed the country's perspective on the safety and health of the workplace. In particular worker compensation in job related accidents. This blaze he said ignited the path that brought about the National Insurance Board.
Dr. Munnings drew on text from his book "Princess Margaret Hospital: The Story of a Bahamian Institution", which was the basis for his talk.
Said one Rotarian, "this was one of the most interesting and colourful presentations of Bahamian history that I've heard. You'd never think that so much could be tied to a single institution".
In thanking him for his presentation, Club Treasurer Crestwell Gardiner lauded Dr. Munnings for his body of work, and encouraged him to share his efforts with as many Bahamian audiences as possible.