The Bahamas mourns the loss of distinguished physician and former parliamentarian Dr. Franklyn Walkine, who passed away at age 73. The prominent figure served as Member of Parliament for Acklins and Crooked Island from 1989 to 1997, leaving an indelible mark on both healthcare and political landscapes.
Dr. Walkine’s political career began amidst controversy when he entered a 1989 by-election following the resignation of predecessor Wilbert Moss, who was convicted for attempting to bribe a magistrate. Despite initial internal party disagreements within the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) regarding his nomination, Dr. Walkine secured victory and maintained his parliamentary seat through subsequent elections.
Beyond politics, Dr. Walkine established himself as a medical pioneer and successful entrepreneur. He founded Air Ambulance Service Ltd in the 1990s, creating the first wholly Bahamian-owned air ambulance service that provided critical emergency medical flights to the Family Islands. The service conducted over 30 flights weekly between Nassau, Freeport, South Florida, and throughout the Bahamas, dramatically improving emergency healthcare access for remote communities.
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis led tributes, describing Dr. Walkine as having “lived a life of service” that combined medical expertise with political dedication. “He was a doctor who cared for people in their most difficult moments, and he was a former Member of Parliament who carried his community’s hopes into the nation’s Parliament,” Davis stated.
Dr. Walkine’s academic credentials were equally impressive, with a chemistry degree from the University of Detroit, a medical degree from the University of the West Indies, and postgraduate specialty training at Canada’s McMaster University. He was a diplomate of the Canadian College of Family Medicine and served as head of the medical council.
His contributions to public health were recognized in 2024 when he was honored as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. PLP chairman Fred Mitchell remembered him as “forthright and matter-of-fact” in his approach to public service and as a cherished personal friend.
The nation remembers Dr. Walkine as both a medical innovator who transformed emergency healthcare accessibility and a dedicated public servant who consistently advocated for his constituents’ interests throughout his political career.