TCI News
TCI: Hypertension Day 2019
#Providenciales, May 16, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Every year on the 17th of May, we celebrate world hypertension day, we remind everyone of the risks and facts of hypertension (HTN). We remember those who died at the hands of HTN and encourage those currently living with the condition to lead a healthier lifestyle where they can better manage their blood pressure levels.
According to http://www.bloodpressureuk.org hypertension is the main factor for stroke, major risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease. Hypertension(HTN) has also recently proven itself to be a risk factor for vascular dementia.
High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms, the only way to know if one has the condition is to monitor and measure their blood pressure on a relatively consistent basis.
Having a high blood pressure reading means that your blood levels are at or above 140 mm of mercury and/ or 90 mm of mercury.
The Caribbean has been tainted with the worst epidemic of chronic diseases in the Americas with 78% of deaths related to non-communicable diseases caused by high blood pressure, the TCI included. To date there has not been any updated statistics on hypertension numbers here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but we do recall that back in 2018 there was possibly some 5000 persons living with high blood pressure. Preliminary analysis of data from TCI Hospital for 2017 reveal that 1,449 out-patients were treated for hypertensive disorders, accounting for 30% of possible persons likely to have HTN; most of whom were female 57.6%. On a broader scale, it is predicted that by 2025 the number of adults with high blood pressure in the world will increase by about 60% to 1.56 billion.
In efforts to raise awareness of HTN and to recognize world Hypertension Day the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services hosted a number of events across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Events held on South Caicos on the 4th of May, Providenciales on the 10th of May and Grand Turk on the 11th of May gave persons the opportunity to benefit from an aerobic workout session, yoga, information on how to manage and prevent hypertension, demonstrations on how to prepare low cost healthy meals, samples of healthy drinks and most importantly taking their blood pressure. Discounts on Gym memberships from 3 major gyms and lots of giveaways from 4 major pharmacies. North and Middle Caicos is set for the 28th of May.
Aldora Robinson Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit stated that “We need to reduce our salt intake and eat more fruits and vegetables. Some persons also feel that because they are not overweight they are not at risk and this is dangerous, if you are eating the wrong things this can put you at high risk for hypertension and other cardio vascular diseases”
Currently hypertension can be managed, treated and prevented but it cannot be cured.
If left untreated or poorly managed it can have both economic and social detrimental consequences such as morbidity, disability, and premature death. Lifestyle factors are the best way to address high blood pressure.
The Minister of Health, Agriculture Sports and Human Services stated that “persons need to take their health seriously exercise more, if you have a desk job get up every half an hour and walk about, start a back yard or porch garden” he further encouraged persons to try intermittent fasting.
Monitoring your blood pressure takes all of 20 minutes or less out of your day. Blood pressure monitors are available widely and without prescription. It is important to make every effort to know your blood pressure numbers.
For more information, contact the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 3382772.
Release: TCIG
Her Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce that following an expressions of interest process, and in accordance with Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007, Mr Dimaggio Rigby, Mr Geoff Scott and Mr Dennis Swann, have been appointed to serve as Commissioners on the Financial Services Commission Board of directors.
Mr Rigby brings specialist experience in cyber, media, and technology risks. He is currently employed in the City of London as a Cyber Insurance Market Consultant.
Mr Scott is a financial services professional with over 30 years’ successful track record in banking. He currently leads the Bermuda Bankers Association and was, until August 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Cooperation of Barbados Limited (ICBL).
Mr Swann is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has expertise in Human Resources and worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 12 years. He has previously worked within the TCI FSC.
Commenting on the appointments, the Governor said:
“Following consultation with the Hon. Premier (in his capacity as th
e Minister of Finance) and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I have appointed Mr Dennis Swann, Mr Dimaggio Rigby and Mr Geoff Scott respectively, to serve as Commissioners (non-executive directors) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). I am confident that the combined experience of these three new Commissioners will help ensure the FSC delivers our vision for a technologically advanced financial services sector that is competitive and supports growth, is well regulated while agile and internationally respected.
I would like to thank Mr Keno Forbes for his previous service as a Commissioner.”
The appointments are for a three-year period, beginning in April 2024. Further details on the work of the Financial Services Commission can be found at TCIFSC.
Wednesday, April 17th 2024 – On Monday the 15th April at 11 am, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) unveiled their new brand to their supporters, members, the media, government departments and partnering NGO’s. The TCAAF, which is now the Turks and Caicos Health and Wellness Foundation (TCHWF) welcomed everyone to their new office which is oblique to the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Downtown, Providenciales.
The TCHWF was founded in 2003 and is a registered non-profit organization in the TCI and a registered 501 (c) non-profit in the United States as well. TCHWF will focus on addressing broader health and social issues driven by the intersectionality of health and social factors, and disparities in services in the TCI.
At the ceremony, Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan, who provides medical care to persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through the Foundation and will continue to be the doctor on staff for TCHWF, gave the audience an insight on how the Foundation began. Dr. O’ Sullivan praised the board members, staff and volunteers for the success of the Foundation, which includes building the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. She explained that the rebranding was necessary since HIV is a chronic disease where you can take medication and live a long and healthy life, but support is needed for all persons living with chronic diseases and for the population that feels excluded or stigmatized.
TCHWF will provide holistic care to these populations. The new TCHWF office is comprised of a doctor’s office where patients can have consultations and be treated, and other comfortable spaces where persons can relax and unwind.
Nurse Nora Tyndall briefed the attendees on the services that the Foundation currently offers, such as the donation of a CD4 machine to the government so that patients can know their CD4 count before seeing the doctor. Other services being offered are free medical consultations, improved access to treatment and care, convenient access to medications, food cards, grocery distribution and the provision of formulas to infected mothers who give birth and cannot breastfeed. Nurse Tyndall highlighted that there is an increase in the number of pregnant women living with HIV in the TCI.
The new mandate of TCHWF is “Linking Lives, Transforming Communities”, the Foundation’s mission is to expand its services to connect HIV and non-HIV persons to entities and experts that can address varying needs.
The Executive Director of TCHWF, Anansa Jervis, highlighted the Foundation’s “aim to promote access to quality health services, information and education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Mrs. Jervis further explained that this would mean the need to “integrate HIV services and non-HIV services by increasing access to holistic and comprehensive health services needed for PLHIV and persons not living with HIV.” In this regard, the TCHWF intends to provide linkage to:
▪ The cultivation of youth empowerment and the development of life skills
▪ Health, hygiene, education and wellness strategies tailored to the needs of young women
▪ Care and support services for survivors of domestic violence
▪ Mental health, psychosocial services and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders.
▪ Equitable access to HIV care and support services, addressing disparities.
To achieve these linkages, the Foundation has held discussions with various NGO’s and government organizations to provide the necessary services and support to persons with varying needs.
One of the Board Members of the Foundation, Giovanni Delancy, gave the closing address by expressing thanks to God, the members, staff, media and volunteers for attending the unveiling ceremony. He closed with “we will continue to bring awareness and education to those not only with HIV/AIDS but other STD’s and other diseases. Let us continue to make a difference wherever we go.”
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