Providenciales, TCI, September 20, 2016 – Interhealth Canada or the TCI Hospitals is seeking to expand, and they say, to improve health care services to the TCI public. Last week Cabinet agreed to their proposals to change how some things are done, which will require amendments to the current agreement between Interhealth and TCIG and it will cost more money.
Top of the list, the Hospital wants to take over and further develop the blood bank including keeping it filled by better managing blood donations; they want to introduce tele-radiology to deal with the overwhelming need and demand for diagnostic imaging without the high cost of contracting a specialist; the Hospitals wants to buy hysteroscopy equipment; this allows advanced treatment in gynecology, with a minimally invasive tool to give better visuals and more thorough care to women. Another change calls for expanding the dialysis unit; unfortunately the demand in this department is soaring.
Since 2010, there are 50% more patients in Grand Turk in need of dialysis treatment, 65% more patients in Provo and there is need now for a full time Nephrologist. Truly relevant in a world coping with viruses like Zika, the purchase of a Polymerase Chain Reactor Machine and Associated Equipment will help in more quickly detecting diseases in the blood. There was assurance in that media release from the TCI Hospitals today that all blood is now also screened for the Zika Virus.
Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Medical Services Chief for TCIG said, “It is important that the services keep pace with increases in patient volume as well as technology. It is our mandate to ensure high quality patient care and value for money. Patient Safety is our priority.”
All requests for change were approved at Cabinet; now the Ministry of Health has to come up with the money to pay for them.
