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TCIG increase emergency funding towards the management of Zika

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Providenciales, TCI, September 19, 2016 – The Turks and Caicos Government recently approved funding in the sum of $500k from the contingency fund towards the management of Zika in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Approximately $80k will be used for promotion and awareness initiative by Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit while approximately $250k will be used for street cleaning by Public Works Department. The balance will be used by Environmental Health Department for staff support and other resource needs.

In an effort to minimize the spread of Zika, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services between the period February to August 2016
a)      have removed a total 402 derelict vehicles and properly disposed the same in a manner to reduce these vehicles from servicing as breeding sites:
  1. b)      On the Island of North and Middle Caicos, conducted;
  • 557 Premises Inspection
  • 10 Island-wide and community clean up initiatives
  • 179 Swamp Inspection and treatment
  • 52 fogging frequency

 

  1. c)       On the Island of Providenciales
  • 515 Premises Inspection
  • 20 Island-wide and community clean up initiatives
  • 182 Swamp Inspection and treatment
  • 134 fogging frequency

 

  1. d)      On the Island of South Caicos
  • 223 Premises Inspection
  • 7 Island-wide and community clean up initiatives
  • 67 Swamp Inspection and treatment
  • 57 fogging frequency

 

  1. e)      On the Island of Salt Cay
  2. 74 Premises Inspection
  3. 4 Island-wide and community clean up initiatives
  4. 53 Swamp Inspection and treatment
  5. 64 fogging frequency

 

  1. f)       On the Island of Grand Turk
  1. 778 Premises Inspection
  2. 7 Island-wide and community clean up initiatives
  3. 113 Swamp Inspection and treatment
  4. 162 fogging frequency
  5. 56 Mosquito Repellent distributed to resident

 

The Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services and Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing wish to advise residence and tourist alike to use approved repellents when outdoors. To minimize the risk and further spread of the Zika virus, the TCI communities are asked to take immediate steps to stop Zika by eliminating all breeding and potential breeding sites.

 The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services, advises the general public that we have just received the results from the CARPHA Laboratories of an additional three confirmed cases of Zika virus infection found in TCI, bringing the total to eleven cases. The Ministry wishes to inform the public that every precautionary measure is being taken, as we continue to enhance prevention and control measures.

Zika is a viral illness, which is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is found in the TCI. Most persons with Zika are not aware that they have the illness and may not have any symptoms.  Symptoms of Zika are similar to Dengue and Chikungunya and appear between four to seven days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito.  These symptoms include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), muscle or joint pain, and general malaise. There is no specific medication to treat Zika and there are currently no vaccines to prevent the illness.

Zika virus can cause Microcephaly in the unborn foetus of a pregnant woman. Pregnant women should take special precautions to ensure that they are not bitten by mosquitoes. Extra special precautions should be taken when travelling to affected areas and countries. Persons are advised to adopt safer sexual practices e.g the use of condoms during sexual activity; this includes pregnant women for the duration of their pregnancy.

If you feel sick and think that you may have Zika consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have a fever. If you have travelled, make sure to tell your health provider about your travel. Use acetaminophen or paracetamol to treat fever and pain, get lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids.

It is important to note that the Zika virus will be in a person’s blood who is infected with Zika for the first week of infection. The virus can be passed on to other mosquitoes if they bite you while you are carrying the virus. Therefore, be especially careful to prevent mosquito bites during the first week to avoid spreading the disease.

For more information, contact the Health of Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services on 3383061 or 3383058

 

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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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