TCI News
TCI Hospital announce winners of ‘The Diamond Challenge’
#Providenciales, June 8, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Eight teams of health care professionals showcased their best quality initiatives in a unique competition held on Wednesday May 30th inside the main foyer at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for a prize pool of US$3,000 sponsored by InterHealth Canada Corporate, the private health care management company.
‘The Diamond Challenge’ spanned five months of team preparation, and last week’s finale featured a poster and oral presentation by each team leader before a panel of external judges. Each initiative submitted must have been implemented between the years 2015 – 2018 and reflect measurable impact or evidence of improvement in the practice environment. The judges were Dr. Hamlet Nation – Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Board, Mrs. Ruth Forbes – Senior Vice President of Fortis TCI and Dr. Marcella Malcolm of Carolina Private Clinic.
The Best Quality Improvement Initiative for building a Culture of Safety recorded a tie between the Baby Friendly Initiative and the Competency Mandatory Training Initiative. The first initiative was led by Dr. Dawn Perry – Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Mikette Been – Chief of Clinical Services. The latter Initiative was led by Jacqueline Moe-Cox and Lurline Barnett of the Hospital’s Education Department.
The top award for the categories of Best Quality Improvement Initiative towards Safe Medication Practices and Best Overall Quality Improvement Initiative, were captured by the Medication Reconciliation Project, which secured a double win. The project comprised of Dr. Sani Amatti – Head of Pediatrics, Dr. Ravindra Gajendragadkar – General Internist, Detorrie Tennant – Hospital Information Systems Manager and Tony Wilton – Pharmacy Manager.
The title of the overall competition was derived from the hospital’s quest to receive diamond status once again. Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital will 
undergo a third accreditation assessment next week June 11th – 15th 2018. A full-site survey is carried out every three years by independent overseas assessors. The acute-secondary health care facility has been accredited at the Diamond level since March 2012, which is the highest level achievable under the ACI Qmentum International Accreditation Program. Accreditation is an independent assessment of a health care organization’s performance against internationally recognized standards of best practice.
TCI Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Gaston Levac commented on the internal competition. Levac said: “The excellent work presented by Diamond Challenge team members is a reflection of the quality work delivered by all hospital personnel. It bodes well for the TCI Hospital receiving an unprecedented third straight Diamond Accreditation award. To obtain a Diamond Award from Accreditation Canada International demonstrates that the hospital is in compliance with the world’s most rigorous standards of care, service and performance.”
Release: InterHealth Canada
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
