News
TCI: Opinion Piece – NHIB Spending
#TurksandCaicos, February 3, 2018 – Providenciales – Who is the Man? As a lawyer, I regularly read the Gazette when published on Fridays as it contains valuable information for my legal practice. Last week I read with great interest the changes in portfolios of Ministers specifically the Minister of Finance and Premier, and the Minister of Health, Human Services and Agriculture, which are to commence on February 1st 2018.
Reader, I urge that you walk with me as we take a trip down memory lane. Some 13 months ago, the first Female Premier and Minister of Finance was sworn in, and during her speech she said “I’m the Man for the Job”. While we chuckled at that colorful expression coming from a woman, who should be proud to be “the woman for the job”, we understood where the Minister of Finance was coming from. Now some 3 months ago, the Minister of Health, beat his chest proudly in the House of Assembly and said “He is the Man, the Man for health. No one knows more about health than me. I am the Man”. Now, with serious eye-rolling that I find happening more and more often whilst I am sitting in the Chamber due to the various colorful exchanges and expressions coming from the Government side, I was intrigued by the Minister of Health’s extensive reminder that he is the Health Man! This proclamation of his manliness was in response to his Amendment to the NHIB Ordinance which he said was the first step in fixing what some deem a real drain on tax-payers dollars. The amendment largely related to the make-up of the NHIB Board.
So, imagine my confusion last week Friday when I reviewed the Gazette and noticed that the self-proclaimed Health Man, lost the biggest expenditure in Health from his portfolio, that being responsibility for the National Health Insurance Board. For the sake of completeness, the National Health Insurance Board is the oversight body for the Treatment Aboard Program in the Ministry of Health and Human Services. Our contributions to NHIB not only provide funding for treatment overseas but also payment to TCI Hospitals on our behalf along with our US$10.00 co-pay we’d pay when we utilize services at one of their locations.
So, my questions today is WHO IS THE MAN?; and why is it that the NHIB spending is well over the projected budget amount of US$23,274,067.00. When we were in the Budget Debate last year, I specially asked the Minister of Health on three occasions was the budget of US$23,000.00 enough for the work of NHIB in covering the Treatment of Aboard Program, and ancillary costs of the NHIB. At each stage he said yes with gusto, and assured us that new structures would be in place to ensure NHIB would operate within their budget.
So, my second question is simply this, Did the Health Man fail? Is that why the Minister of Finance has come to save the day, and replace the Health Man, with the Finance Woman-Man?
What makes me ponder these questions is the response to my parliamentary question which was submitted in September (answered this week in the HOA) to the Minister of Health as to what are the costs of the Treatment Aboard Program from July 1st 2017 to October 31st 2017. How is it that in just the period of July 1st 2017 to October 31st 2017 some 4 months the NHIB has spent US$8,659.170.00, which is US$7,131,783.00 in medical costs, US$1,000,000.00 in airfare, and US$238,000.00 in subsistence. At this rate the total expenditure for the 2017/2018 Financial Year would be US$21,395,349.00 in just overseas medical costs. During this period a total of 418 referrals were processed resulting in the following big ticket medical costs of: US$3.3M for 80 patients to the Bahamas, US$2.2M for 183 patients to Jamaica, US$300k for 2 patients to Canada, US$391K for 19 patients to Cayman and US$153k for 1 patient to Colombia.
To say I was flabbergasted is an understatement of the amount that was spent in 4 months by the NHIB, but nonetheless we press on. As the Minister of Health wrapped up his answer to my question, he mumbled something about primary health care being important. So my next question is what is the plan to curb this rapid unsustainable expenditure?
To make matters even more interesting, there is a Supplementary Budget for 2017/2018 that will be debated next week, and on review of this yesterday, I note that NHIB has requested additional funds in the sum of US$12,000,000.00 increase for this financial year which ends on March 30th 2018. Um, that is just 8 weeks from now. US$12,000,000.00!!!! Taking the NHIB estimated budget for this Financial Year to the grand total of US$35,885.000.00!!!! Now, that is when I noticed my heart rate began to escalate in the HOA. Where are we going to have US$12,000,000.00 found from in the current revenue streams that we have, and further what is being cut from the Budget to make up this difference.
So in the end the forecasted outturn for this financial year 2017/2018 for NHIB expenses is US$35,885,000.00, and not US$23,000,000.00 that the Minister of Health assured the people of this Country was sufficient for their potential medical costs overseas. While, I am here, let us also remember the Budget was debated and passed in April. Further, the Minister of Health had ample time to prepare a practical budget, but further to that from April to October 2017, wasn’t the Minister of Health monitoring the rapid expenditure of the NHIB. Oh wait, will they blame the former Government for this rapid expenditure to date, or let me guess Hurricanes Irma and Maria? Remember this is the Minister of Health’s Budget, that was deemed by the Government as the People’s Budget.
My advice to the new Minister of NHIB is to be open and honest with those registered with NHIB, as this current trend is unsustainable with the 30,000 persons who are contributing to NHIB and some 39,000 users. Where is the extra money going to come from? We need to know and we need to know soon. Oh, and if you’re reading this and think I got the requested figures incorrect, it is in black and white in the documents that were laid on the table yesterday, and as a Millennial, I include the screenshot for your review.
I am deeply concerned about NHIB, as there is still no Chief Financial Officer recruited, and it is bleeding funding with what seems to be no oversight, and something drastic needs to occur to severe the infected limb (pun intended).
Release:
Hon. Akierra Mary Deanne Missick
Member for Leeward & Long Bay Hills
After demolition
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 17 July 2026: The Planning Department, with support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), and the Crown Land Unit conducted a coordinated enforcement operation on Thursday, 2 July 2026, resulting in the demolition of six unauthorised structures on private property at Block and Parcel 60502/48. Security for the operation was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The enforcement action followed the issuance of an Enforcement Notice by the Planning Department on 29 January 2026, advising the persons responsible for the structures that they had been erected without the necessary planning approval and were required to be removed. Following the expiration of the compliance period, a multi-agency operation was organised to carry out the demolition.
Before demolition activities commenced, personnel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the site to confirm that all structures were unoccupied and free of gas cylinders or other hazardous materials. These precautionary measures were undertaken to safeguard the welfare
of both the enforcement teams and the public while ensuring the operation was carried out safely and efficiently.
Upon completion of the exercise, participating agencies returned to Police Tactical Headquarters for a debrief, marking the successful conclusion of another coordinated enforcement effort.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds members of the public that all construction activities must receive the appropriate planning approvals before work begins. The Planning Department will continue to work alongside its partner agencies to enforce the Planning Ordinance, promote orderly development and ensure that construction throughout the Islands complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
Members of the public are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the planning approval process and to seek guidance from the Planning Department before undertaking any development to avoid enforcement action and loss of money invested.
News
DDME’s Hurricane Hunt Scavenger Hunt Sparks Community Spirit and Storm Preparedness in Providenciales
Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Fifteen teams raced across Providenciales on Saturday July 4th for the inaugural DDME Hurricane Hunt, a community scavenger hunt designed to combine friendly competition with hurricane preparedness education.
Teams were given a bag of supplies and 15 cryptic clues, participants had less than two hours to pinpoint locations and collect hurricane must-haves; including water jugs, shovels, flashlights and other supplies that every household should have on hand ahead of a storm.
The challenge tested not only participants’ local knowledge and navigation skills, but also their teamwork under time pressure; all while reinforcing practical lessons about what it takes to stay ready when a storm approaches.
Beyond the hunt itself, the event drew a lively crowd of families and supporters who turned out to enjoy a full day of festivities. Attendees took part in games, received free gifts, face painting, canvas painting, bounce houses and visited vendor booths; while enjoying fresh food off the grill throughout the afternoon.
“This event brought together the best of both worlds; a fun, high-energy competition and a meaningful reminder of how important it is for our community to be prepared,” Mr. Aaron Ballantyne, Community Preparedness Officer for Providenciales. “Seeing 15 teams fully engaged, racing to landmarks across the island while learning what belongs in a hurricane kit, was exactly the outcome we hoped for.”
DDME extends their sincere gratitude to the stakeholders that partnered with the event and generously donated their time, resources and
efforts to make it a success: The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross, The Oseta Jolly Primary School, The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Do It Center (Building Materials), KB Homes, Digicel TCI, Frost Cay and Clint Grilling and Catering Services, along with all other vendors who were solicited.
The event’s success was also made possible by the private organizations and government departments that opened their locations to serve as scavenger hunt sites, allowing the hunt to unfold across the island; from Chalk Sound to Long Bay.
The quick thinking first place team consisted of; Neekimo King, Keturah Miller-Brown, Lashaunda Dickenson and Kebba Thomas who all walked away with exciting prizes.
Ms. Bernadya Smith, Public Information and Media Manager stated; “With hurricane season underway, this event, along with our recent Hurricane Expo held in Grand Turk and community pop-ups throughout the country, is a testament to DDME’s commitment to blending community engagement with year-round storm readiness. We look forward to making this event an annual staple that brings families together while keeping preparedness at the forefront of every community we serve.
Follow DDME social media pages to stay up to date with upcoming events and to join their weekly quizzes for a chance to win exciting prizes all hurricane season long.
News
Invest TCI Supports Certification of Local Flats Fishing Guides Through MSME Technical Assistance Under Historic TCFFA–TCICC Partnership
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — June 11th 2026 — Invest Turks and Caicos Islands has confirmed a financial commitment of $26,750 through the MSME Programme’s Technical Assistance support to assist 35 participants undertaking STCW and Fly-Fishing Guide Certifications under the Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association (TCFFA) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) partnership. The support is intended to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging local operators within the flats-fishing and marine–based tourism sector, helping participants formalize their skills, improve service standards, and access higher-value economic opportunities.
The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TCFFA and TCICC on 12th May 2026, establishing the
country’s first endorsed and regionally recognized Sustainable Fly-Fishing curriculum. That partnership, funded in part by the UK Government through the Darwin Plus Local initiative, aims to certify twenty or more Turks and Caicos Islanders as Flats-Fishing Guides and Train-The-Trainers — drawn from Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Grand Turk.
Invest TCI’s contribution ensures that the financial barrier to certification does not prevent qualified candidates from accessing this sector-building opportunity. The support is being provided as technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging MSMEs within the flats-fishing and marine-based tourism sector, enabling participants to formalize, improve service standards, and access higher-value market opportunities.
“We are indeed happy to be a part of this initiative and to provide financial support towards the certification of the 35 participants. Invest TCI is committed to empowering small and medium enterprises and the individuals who drive them – and this programme is a direct example of that commitment in action.” — Alexa Cooper, Vice President – SME Development, Invest Turks and Caicos
Regional studies, including research on The Bahamas’ flats-fishing sector, show that the industry can generate significant economic value through lodging, meals, transport, retail, and guided services. This demonstrates the potential for Turks and Caicos to strengthen its own flats-fishing value chain through professional training, certification, and local enterprise development.
Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos, highlighted the strategic alignment between the investment and Invest TCI’s broader
mission:
“Invest TCI’s mandate is to support a stronger, more diversified economy with Turks and Caicos Islanders positioned to benefit from the industries that shape our future. This initiative directly aligns with that mandate. By supporting certification for local flats-fishing guides, we are helping to convert local knowledge into recognized credentials, strengthen small business capacity, and retain more value within our communities. It is a practical investment in people, enterprise, and sector development.” — Angela Musgrove, CEO, Invest Turks and Caicos
TCFFA President Levardo Talbot, whose association initiated the candidacy process and identified the funded participants, welcomed Invest TCI’s commitment as pivotal to the programme’s reach:
“For the first time, Turks and Caicos Islander fly fishing guides have an endorsed and regionally-recognized, locally delivered pathway into a profession that has long been built on their knowledge but not always on their terms. Invest TCI’s support ensures the people who should be in this room are in this room.” — Levardo Talbot, President, Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association
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