TCI News
TCHTA Encourages Environmental Protection for World Environmental Day 2019
#Providenciales, June 5, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In recognition of World Environmental Day, June 5, 2019, the TCHTA is doing its part to raise awareness around environmental protection in Turks and Caicos. As such, they are reminding all residents and visitors to use this day as an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to being environmentally responsible and maintaining a viable tourism product.
In keeping with the theme of the day, the TCHTA encourages all residents and visitors to keep their surrounding areas and communities clean. “The responsibility of maintaining our environment falls on each and every one of us,” said Todd Foss, newly elected president of the TCHTA. “It’s important that we all do our part, and we’re hoping that we can encourage more and more people to join in on keeping the country clean and beautiful”.
Speaking about the impact to the tourism sector, Foss said, “Environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand, especially for our small destination. We would like to remind all residents and guests that their everyday actions can either help or harm the natural resources of this country. We all contribute to the long-term success of tourism in the TCI.”
The TCHTA has long been committed to this cause. Through its bi-annual TCI Shines Initiative, the association focuses on the cleanliness of the destination and encourages all residents to make continued efforts to keep the destination ‘beautiful by nature’. The association has also taken the environmental message to the schools through programs such as the TCI Shines Schools’ Big Bin Competition and the Green Project; a collaboration with the environmental clubs.
“The sensitization and education of our country’s young minds is important because they are the ones who will drive the message home to their families and take these values into the future,” said Stacy Cox, CEO of the Hotel Association. “We commend the TCI Government for their forward movement on the plastic ban initiative. We applaud their environmental commitment and look forward to continuing our work with the local youth as we roll out our educational program in the near future, and we are happy to once again collaborate with the DECR in these efforts”.
“A big part of our efforts to maintain our destination is reducing, or eliminating where possible, single-use plastics in the country,” said Cox. “A number of our members have already replaced plastic straws with paper alternatives and we’re now working to educate the public on the danger that single-use plastics pose to our country”.
The TCHTA supports all efforts to increase environmental awareness and they encourage everyone to use World Environmental Day 2019 as a day to reflect on their environmental choices and how it will impact the future generations of this country.
“A sustainable future begins with you!” she concluded.
Release: TCHTA
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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