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NHF To Fund Survey On Eating Patterns Of Jamaicans

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KINGSTON, Nov. 13 (JIS): BY: GARFIELD L. ANGUS – In another two years, key stakeholders in the health sector will be equipped with informed data on eating patterns of Jamaicans aged 16-60, courtesy of a National Health Fund (NHF) $14.6 million survey being undertaken by the University of Technology (UTech).

Under the project called JA-LIVITY, spearheaded by the College of Health Sciences at UTech, several entities dealing with health promotion and protection will be able to access information on the food consumption trends and nutritional status of the population.

It will also aid in deepening the understanding of the nutritional status and micronutrient deficiencies of the groups to be studied, and will be crucial data to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, the food manufacturing industry, and the Ministry of Finance and Planning, among others.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHF, Everton Anderson, says health research is an important tool for comprehensive, integrated and effective interventions in health care, and his agency is always open to fund such projects.

“In the planning of health promotion programmes and campaigns, the use of research is critical. We cannot plan such programmes in a vacuum, and so we welcome this research, that will be valuable to us, as well as our parent Ministry, and other agencies,” Mr. Anderson tells JIS News.

Director of Dietetics and Nutrition at UTech, Ava Simpson, says given the rapid growth in the number of persons suffering from obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a need exists for evidence-based information on the food consumption of the population, and factors that drive eating patterns.

The Director explains that the information is needed to buttress the formulation of policy, guide clinical decisions, and to “positively impact Jamaica’s response to the burgeoning obesity problem through research, and wellness solutions.”

She points out that consumption patterns and trends of the population will be surveyed at the individual level, as well as the quality of foods eaten, to calculate intake of energy, nutrients and other components of the foods eaten.

To boost the reach of the campaign to target groups, two wellness centres will be set up, one for the urban areas, and the other for persons in rural communities.

Dean of the College, Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grille, says the project is multi-disciplinary, with participation by all in the department. “We are very proud for the confidence that the National Health Fund has bestowed in us,” she tells JIS News.

The National Health Fund was established to provide financial support to the national healthcare system to improve its effectiveness and the health of the Jamaican population through two categories of benefits – individual and institutional.

The individual benefits include assistance to persons in the purchase of specific prescription drugs used in the treatment and management of designated chronic illnesses. The agency also conducts public education drives to educate the public about chronic illness prevention and management.

Persons seeking individual benefits must be certified by a registered private or public doctor, with one or more of the specified medical conditions, and register with the agency. Once approved, the beneficiary is issued with an NHF card and will be able to get assistance with the purchase of drugs from approved participating pharmacies.

The UTech College of Health Sciences conducts researches, which address and provide solutions to healthcare problems in the country and region. The College comprises three schools – Caribbean School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and School of Allied Health and Wellness.

The college offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses to health professionals for the local, regional and global markets in areas such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Dietetics and Nutrition, Medical Technology, Child and Adolescent Development, Health Information Technology, Health Administration and Complementary Medicine.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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