TCI News
TCIG Partners with Stakeholders to provide Hearing Assessments in TCI
#Providenciales, June 4, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – 21st-28th April 2018, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, 
Special Needs Unit in collaboration with the Department of Education and Special Ed Officer welcomed Entheos, a group of volunteer audiologists through 1 World Foundation, an international non-profit charitable corporation comprised of volunteers from New York State, USA and Ontario, Canada. Their one week has truly been a success.
This initiative is in keeping with the Special Needs Units early detection and intervention strategy through the implementation of a national hearing assessment for all children aged four years plus, commencing with the Government schools. During this visit 358 persons were assessed, and persons requiring hearing devices were fitted with hearing aids. This visit was indeed successful. Of importance, foreign objects such as sea shells, beads, peas along with years of hard wax were removed from some individuals’ ears.
It is the belief of Entheos that everyone deserves access to hearing healthcare. This is done through three pillars:
- Leadership Through Service;
- Positive Objectivity &
- Community
According to the World Health Organization, more than 360 million people worldwide have a disabling hearing loss. Millions go without basic hearing healthcare which impact their lives. A teacher assisted by Entheos in Guatemala said it best, “not being able to hear is like being dead”. If an adult cannot hear, they tend to withdraw, potentially suffer from depression and disconnect from their community as well as it being a safety issue. For kids, it is even more important. If a child cannot hear, it impedes their ability to communicate and learn. Kids cannot go to school, make friends or have basic interaction. In many places throughout the world, this severely limits their future potential.
One of the most important programmes of Entheos’ is humanitarian hearing trips, providing sustainable hearing healthcare. This is done in three stages:
- Relief, Development and Empowerment. Entheos provides immediate relief in the aforementioned areas; as well as return for maintenance and upkeep as hearing devices need to be checked. Entheos believes in providing best practices for everyone they serve and that includes hearing aids maintenance.
- Development – Entheos works with local governments and healthcare providers so they can provide hearing healthcare services in between humanitarian trips.
- Empowerment allows local caregivers the ability to meet the needs of an area.
Interim CEO Nora Stewart said; “Entheos Audiology Cooperative is honored to work with children and adults to screen and treat their hearing. In the past three days, we have seen 293 persons many of whom now hear better after receiving treatment. We have identified one of the largest problems to be people trying to clean their ears using cotton swabs. This does not clean their ears but rather has a negative impact by pushing the wax farther into their ears. We also saw returning patients who received hearing aids last year needing service and maintenance for their hearing aids. The Entheos team has enjoyed working on the beautiful islands in Turks and Caicos, but even more beautiful than the waters is the spirit of the people. We want to thank the government for the opportunity.”
Last year 88 persons were assessed and thirty-nine persons fitted with hearing aids. The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services in collaboration with 1 World Foundation and are committed to developing sustainable programs for people with Special Needs in Turks and Caicos Islands.
For information please contact the Special Needs Unit at 338-2171.
Release: TCIG
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.
