News
Delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands attends high level meeting on Universal Health in the 21st Century
#Ecuador, December 20, 2017 – Quito – Honorable Edwin Astwood, Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services attended a high level meeting on Universal Health in the 21st century: 40 years of Alma-Ata on December 11-12, 2017, in Quito, Ecuador by invitation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton, Chief Nursing Officer/Primary Health Care Manager, Ms. Nordia Campbell, Budget Director and Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes, Executive Administrator, accompanied the Minister to this meeting.
This high level meeting organized by PAHO constituted a forum for regional dialogue, analysis and debate on the values and principles of Alma Ata, within the context of Universal Health in the 21stcentury. During this meeting the Minister Hon. Edwin Astwood met with a number of Caribbean and Latin American Ministers of Health which included Minister of Public Health of Ecuador – Maria Veronica Espinosa Serrano and other key representatives from Member States, participants and representatives of PAHO/WHO and High level Officials of UNASUR. Also in attendance, was former Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who is currently a consultant with PAHO.
The meeting discussed the achievements and challenges faced by member states throughout the region on the Declaration of Alma-Ata which was adopted 40 years ago when member states committed as signatories to “Health for All by the year 2000”. It was envisioned that this would be accomplished through the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of All people.
The meeting provided the opportunity for member states to revisit the advances made over the past 40 years in Primary Health Care: A clearly defined first level of care;
- Different models of health care systems that have been implemented to guarantee access to care;
- Progress or talks on Universal Access to Care Declaration;
- Signature of the cooperation strategy between the countries and PAHO on Universal Access to Care Declaration.
- Major challenges, identified were:
- Inequity in health care
- Lack of genuine social participation from civil society and
- Identification of a sustainable financing measure to secure universal access and equity
Detailed presentations were made on:
- Universal Health in the 21stCentury: how to build political viability?
- Universal Health and the participation of civil society
- Transformation of health systems towards Universal Health
- Expansion of Equitable Access to Health Systems based on primary health care
The Chief Nursing Officer/Primary Health Care Manager, Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton in her comments stated “This forum was timely in the life of the health care system in the Turks and Caicos Islands as we commit to strengthening our Primary Health Care Services though workshops and meetings with wider stakeholder consultation on the way forward in identifying and adopting a new model of care focused on individuals, families and communities”.
This dialogue on Universal Health will continue in the region throughout 2018.
Press Release: TCIG
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
