NASSAU, BAHAMAS Samaritan’s Purse International Relief Organization will extend its engagement in The Bahamas for six months, Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands confirmed yesterday.

The organization posted a job advertisement signaling an urgent need for workers to continue the delivery of health services on Grand Bahama and Abaco on October 4.

According to Kaitlyn Lahm, the organization’s media relations manager, the positions are also available to Bahamians.

However, Sands noted the government will waive work permit fees for the organization, if necessary, as their services are philanthropic.

“We have asked Samaritan’s Purse to extend their engagement to six months,” Sands told Eyewitness News Online yesterday. “They have graciously acceded. Now for the drafting of a revised MOU.

“The engagement will have local professionals working hand in hand with international staff.”

Hurricane Dorian, the strongest storm to hit the Northwest Bahamas, devastated both Grand Bahama and Abaco, debilitating the government’s ability to deliver health care services.

In the aftermath of the storm, several international organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, sent volunteers to assist with the delivery of health care. The Rand Memorial Hospital, the High Rock Clinic, health facilities in McClean’s Town and a number of east Grand Bahama facilities were lost during the storm.

In the interim, there are Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) providing service to a number of areas on the island.

Sands said the goal of the extension is to allow time for the interim remediation of the Rand Memorial Hospital.

Samaritan’s Purse listed 15 different paid positions for its Bahamas office on its website.

Those positions are: area coordinator, construction program coordinator, construction program manager, country director, deputy country director, field accountant, finance manager, grants manager, HR manager, monitoring & evaluation officer, operations manager, program development officer, senior program manager, WASH Program coordinator and WASH Program manager.

“Samaritan’s Purse is urgently seeking highly qualified Christian men and women to serve the Lord in The Bahamas,” the organization said.

“As islanders face daunting challenges after Hurricane Dorian, now is the time to come alongside them, helping to rebuild and sharing the hope found only in Jesus Christ.

“Because of the long-term need for relief work in The Bahamas, we are opening a country office there.”

The organization continued: “…Samaritan’s Purse needs to fill these positions quickly, so please spread the word via social media and other means.

“We are grateful for your prayers for our teams and especially for the people of The Bahamas as they recover from the storm.”

Lahm told Eyewitness News Online yesterday the organization is committed to extending operations of the Emergency Field Hospital for an additional 90 days in Freeport.

“Already more than 3,700 patients have received critical healthcare at the Emergency Field Hospital,” Lahm said. “Samaritan’s Purse continues to provide emergency relief— including clean water, debris removal, temporary roof repairs, and healthcare—to families devastated by Hurricane Dorian, and plans to establish a field office in The Bahamas to provide longer-term relief and support.

“We are thankful to be able to come alongside The Bahamas in this time of need.”