Med-Card Assistance


Psychiatric Patients (ages 18 to 64 years) and/or a relative on their behalf who have insufficient or no income to access prescribed medication at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC)  or Public Health Clinics (specifically Elizabeth Estates Clinic and Fleming Street Clinic, where follow up services are provided for psychiatric out patients) in New Providence.

In addition to medications, psychiatric out-patients may use the Med-Cards to obtain laboratory tests and certain medical procedures, such as X-rays.

Note: The Med-Cards are provided to psychiatric patients for periods ranging from one (1) day to six (6) months. Patients may qualify for other forms of assistance and are referred to the relevant agency.

Eligibility 

  • Psychiatric patients earning minimum wage or lower.
  • Bahamian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
  • Psychiatric patients 18 years to 64 years.

Process 

  1. The psychiatric patient or applicant on behalf of the psychiatric patient makes a request at the Health Social  Services (HSS) Division at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC).
  2. The Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts interviews with the psychiatric patient or applicant to assess the patient’s eligibility.
  3. The SSR completes a Med-Card Summary Form and a recommendation is made about applicant’s eligibility.
  4. The SSR informs the applicant of eligibility.

This service can be accessed at the following locations:

Health Social Services Division (HSS) at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC)
Fox Hill Road (South)
New Providence, The Bahamaso Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Tel. (242) 364-9670 or (242) 364-9647
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Community Counseling & Assessment Centre (CCAC), the Out-Patient Mental Health Clinic for Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC)
Collins Avenue
New Providence, The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 323-3293
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For Med-Card Reassessment Interviews:-

Female Clinics
Community Counseling & Assessment Centre (CCAC),
Collins Avenue
New Providence, The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 323-3293
Female Clinic hours are Fridays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Elizabeth Estates Clinic
Prince Charles Drive
Tel. (242) 324-2923 or (242) 324-2927
Female Clinic hours are Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Male Clinics
Fleming Street Clinic
Fleming Street
Tel. (242) 322-6748 or (242) 322-6749
Male Clinic hours are Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For Out-Patient Drug Rehabilitation Admissions:

Detox and Lignum Vitae Units, for treatment of substance abuse challenges,
Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC)
Fox Hill Road (South)
New Providence, The Bahamas  
Tel. (242) 364-9670 or (242) 364-9647
Clinic hours are Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Clinic Registration by 10:00 a.m.
Clinic end at 5:00 p.m.

This service is NOT directly available from a Family Island sub-office, with the exception of Grand Bahama.

Note: Family Island patients with ticket verification are provided one (1) to two (2) months’ supply of medication at the discretion of the pharmacist.

This service require inputs from the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the Ministry of Health and the Department of Social Services.

Application Form(s) 

The application is the Med-Card Summary Form, which MUST be completed in-office by the SSR at SRC and the Public Health Clinic (specifically Elizabeth Estates Clinic and Fleming Street Clinic) in New Providence.

Supporting Documents 

For Citizens:

  • Valid Passport of the patient and the applicant.
  • Valid N.I.B. Card of the patient and the applicant.
  • Copies of prescriptions.

For  Permanent Residents:

  • Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residency of the patient and the applicant.
  • Copies of prescriptions.

Turn-around time Med-Cards for the psychiatric patients are issued to the applicants on the same day of application. The Med-Card can also be reissued for emergency cases in the event the Med-Card is misplaced or accidentally destroyed.

Deadline Reassessments for Med-Cards are completed, ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months. 

Related Fee(s) 

There are NO FEES associated with this service.

For more information please contact 

Health Social Services Division at Princess Margaret Hospital
Sassoon Building, Shirley Street
New Providence, The Bahamas                  
Tel. (242) 356-3350
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Department of Social Services’ Head Office
Sunshine Plaza, Baillou Hill Road   
New Providence, The Bahamas
P.O. Box N-1545             
Tel: (242) 604-4200     
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m