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TCI: Landfill Fires and Human Rights

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#Providenciales, February 6, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – For several years there have been complaints made about the conditions in Blue Hills, particularly in the Wheeland area due to regular fires at the landfill site.  Over the last couple of days there have been many comments on social media about a new fire causing dense smoke in the settlement.

Although it’s not unusual to have an occasional problem at a landfill site, it is unusual that the landfill on Providenciales experiences fires so frequently.  In the United Kingdom, home to approximately 70 million people, there are around 280 to 300 landfill fires every year.  Providenciales, however, is a significantly smaller country with a population only 0.057% of the UK and having significantly less waste you would anticipate that a landfill fire would be unusual.  Unfortunately, for the residents impacted, this is not the case.

There have been many allegations for these fires, such as poor management, illegal immigrants burning coal kilns, to malicious sabotage, but ultimately, whatever the cause, it is Government’s responsibility to resolve this matter expeditiously. This is exactly the purpose governments are meant to fulfil, to maintain the basic infrastructure of a country enabling them to protect the economy, environment, health and life of its residents., these are fundamental human rights.

Landfill fires occur when waste disposed of in a landfill ignites and spreads. Two types of landfill fires are generally recognised. Surface Fires and Deep-Seated Fires. Surface fires typically occur in underdeveloped countries that lack the capacity to properly cover waste with inert daily and intermediate covering, in developed countries they are often caused by arson.  If unchecked, spontaneous combustion fires in particular, tend to burn deeper into the waste mass, resulting in deep seated fires.

Deep-Seated landfill fires, unlike a typical fire, are difficult to put out with water unless an overhaul operation is undertaken.  In human terms, the emissions arising from these fires, which can continue for years, are potentially lethal with well-proven acute and chronic health impacts.  Particularly concerning are the tire fires on landfills. Burning tires are known to emit dioxins and benzene derivatives which have been linked with reproductive impairment and cancer in humans.

The International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights confers the responsibility upon States to ensure that residents have an adequate standard of living, this means that our Government is responsible for putting in place, and monitoring compliance with, legislation that protects our living standards.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Article 11

  1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent.

The International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also confers the responsibility upon States to ensure that residents enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.  This is normally associated with promotional campaigns on health matters, free healthcare and adequate mental health services but it is also associated with the quality of the environment that we all live in.  In this respect this current administration is making a huge environmental stride with the move towards banning all single use plastics, an initiative that the Turks and Caicos Human Rights Commission fully endorses, but what of the devastating environmental conditions threatening the health of the residents of Blue Hills, Wheeland area?

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Article 12

  1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

 

  1. The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for:

 

  • The provision for the reduction of the stillbirth-rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of the child;
  • The improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene;
  • The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases;
  • The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

Due to the regular fires at the site many residents have reported difficulty in sleeping, problems with breathing and, especially of concern, the deteriorating health of children with asthma.  One post on social media commented that a local school had closed due to concerns for the health of the children.

When a school is forced to close due to environmental contamination the government must act swiftly and must act decisively.  Among the health impacts of landfill fires are both cancer and higher mortality rates for pregnant mothers and babies.  It’s not just the smoke that’s the problem but what that smoke contains, there is the potential here for residents of the area to experience long term health issues as a consequence of these potential pollutants.  These fires are not just an inconvenience they are a well-established threat to life.  The government must move swiftly in meeting their responsibilities under Article 12, subsection 2 (a) and (b) of the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

  1. The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for:

(a) The provision for the reduction of the stillbirth-rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of the child;

Human Rights are indivisible, this means that if one human right is impacted all human rights are impacted.  If you improve the access to one right, you improve the access to all rights and, conversely, if you restrict the access to one right this has a negative impact on all other rights.

These landfill site fires in Providenciales has a direct impact upon the health and quality of life of all the residents in the area and this impacts upon other rights.  People who get sick cannot go to work, children who are ill cannot make the most of their education, people who cannot open their windows have to rely on air conditioning further impacting upon their personal finances.

Although the government must act quickly to address the current fire at the landfill site it is far more important that they act decisively to prevent a reoccurrence of this in the future.  Whatever the real issues that lead to the repeated fires at the landfill site the government has a responsibility under international and domestic law to identify and put in place a permanent solution and to protect the lives and livelihoods of the residents and their children.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 6

  1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.
  2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

 

Release: TCI Human Rights Commission

 

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Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Launched Electronic Patient Care Report (Ambpro)

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.

In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including  Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.

During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.

The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”

The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.

The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.

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Education

Ministry of Education launches 2024 Season of Scholarship Applications

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas.  For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat

Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –

  • Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:

o    Cadet Financial Assistance …………………………………………………(2)

o    The TCI Hope Award …………………………………………………………..(2)

o    Intl. Associate’s Degree / A-Level awards ……………………… (3)

o    TCICC Academic Excellence Award …………………………………..(7-preselected)

  • Athletic Financial Assistance ……………………………………………………..(3)
  • National Scholars Awards ………………………………………………………….(4 -preselected)
  • Special Needs Students Financial Assistance Award ……………(2)
  • BWIC – GCE Advanced Level …………………………………………………….(3)

Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.

Our new application method

Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.

Dates

  • Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
  • Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
  • There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
    • Acceptance Letter
    • Transcript
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.

Support

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.

  • You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
  • Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
  • You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
  • You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.

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Education

Department of Special Education Needs Services makes strides at CEC 2024 convention and Expo

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The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.

The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.

 CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.

 Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”

Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”

 Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.” 

 The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.

 For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.

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