Premier on Ministerial Portfolio Changes

#TurksandCaicos, February 3, 2018 – Providenciales – Premier Robinson several weeks ago advised H.E. The Governor to make changes to three Ministerial portfolios.  These changes are a reflection of the strategic direction for this Government in the areas of health management, sports and culture.  Premier Robinson remarked that the changes to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health are minor in portfolio adjustments but deep in reasoning.

Premier Robinson states that, “As of today, February 1, 2018, the Department of Culture has been moved back to the Ministry of Education as we recognize the great need to ensure that our children are exposed to our culture in a more structured and sustainable manner.  We believe that a return of the management of Culture to this Ministry will allow for greater synergy between schools and the Department of Culture.  This by no means that there is an abandonment of its use in our tourism industry as this is very much a part of the experience that will ensure our stake in the regional and international sector.

The second change is related to the Department of Sports which moves from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Health.  This change will demonstrate my Government’s commitment to wrestling the health care challenges in this country by not just addressing screenings but by widening efforts to alter lifestyles through proper diet and exercise across all of the demographics.  The Ministry of Health during December succeeded in getting Cabinet’s approval for a School Nutrition Policy and there will be a wider roll out of healthy lifestyle initiatives including greater emphasis on sports.  This is why the Department of Sports has now been moved to the Ministry of Health for greater synergy.

Finally the financial management of NHIP returns to the Ministry of Finance.  The National Health Insurance Program was always with the Ministry of Finance and was moved to the Ministry of Health on December 1, 2016 just before the General Elections.  We are satisfied that this Institution should return to Finance with the Treatment Abroad Program remaining under the Ministry of Health as has been the case in time past.”

She continued, “There have been no further portfolio changes.  The transfer of portfolio responsibilities for aspects of National Health Insurance from Health to Finance, the transfer of Sports management from Education to Health and the transfer of Culture to Education gives an insight into my government policy and strategic direction for these critical areas.  We must pay greater attention to prevention of illnesses through strengthening primary health care and promoting diet and exercise across the wider population under a comprehensive healthy lifestyle initiative.

“We must ensure that our children are connecting and fully exposed to their culture in an effort to promote national identity and the preservation of culture through our formal education process and youth activities all under one umbrella.  We must ensure that the great responsibility: management and oversight of NHIP is shared and benefits from all the relevant skills and expertise available in the public service are utilised. I am confident that these changes will be beneficial to all.”