TCI News

TCI: The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services urges persons to help prevent mosquito breeding during the summer months

Published

5 years ago

July 31, 2018

#Providenciales, July 31, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Dengue, chikungunya and zika are all vector borne diseases primarily spread by the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito. The symptoms of the three diseases vary slightly but can all include fever, headache, muscle pain, joint paint and rash. Persons experiencing these symptoms, which typically last several days to a week, are urged to consult a physician.

Over the last few years all three vector borne diseases have emerged in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). In response to these vector borne diseases, the Ministry has implemented a number of measures including increased public education, enhanced vector control measures and surveillance which have been successful in reducing the disease burden. The good news emanating from these strategies is that the last case of chikungunya was confirmed on October 28^th 2014 and the last case of zika on January 3^rd 2017 in the TCI. Thus, the TCI has not seen a positive case of chikungunya in nearly 4 years and has not seen a positive case of zika in about 18 months. Even dengue, which is more common in the TCI, has been on the decline in recent months.

One particular concern when it comes to zika is its ability to also spread during sexual intercourse and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Scientists suspect that zika transmission during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal brain defects such as microcephaly. In the TCI, there has been one case of zika in a pregnant woman in 2016. The mother delivered without complications and both mother and infant are doing well.

Despite this positive news, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services (MHASHS) would like to take this opportunity to remind the general public not to be complacent. With the summer months, come conditions where mosquitoes thrive, grow and reproduce. Visitors and residents alike are reminded to take the following preventative measures:

Keep your environment clean and free from standing water where mosquitos breed: including tires, bottles, cans, gutters, tree stumps, pets’ bowls, flower pots, etc.
Avoid being bitten by wearing loose long sleeved shirts and long pants
Apply insect repellent to exposed skin
Use mosquito nets when sleeping
Use safe household insecticides indoor
Have intact window and door screens in dwellings
Use condoms to prevent the spread of zika during sex

The MHASHS is also doing its part to prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases, including:

Mosquito control exercises such as fogging, larvaciding and treatment of active swamps.
Premises inspections to find sources of mosquito breeding and target for removal/remediation. Notices are issued to those who fail to comply.
Removal of derelict vehicles and old appliances, which can serve as breeding sites.
Clean-up campaigns to mobilize communities to take the lead in keeping their environments clean and free from breeding sites.
Public awareness campaigns to educate residents on what they can do to prevent vector borne disease.
A series of vector borne disease workshops to update stakeholders on the latest prevention/ control techniques and to brainstorm methods of enhancing the national strategy.
Enhanced surveillance to monitor and detect clusters of vector borne disease for the purpose of timely intervention and response.

For further information, kindly contact the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 338 5231 or the Environmental Health Department on 3382143/44.

Release: TCIG

Caribbean News

Kezzia Hamilton appointed as Director of Human Resources

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Kezzia Hamilton to the post of Director of the Human Resource Management Directorate (HRMD) within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

A native of Grand Turk, Ms. Hamilton received her tertiary-level education and training from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. She obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business Studies and a Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management there.

Her career with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) began in 2000 as a Clerical Officer with the Public Works Department, and she later transitioned to the HRMD in 2013 as a Human Resource Officer. In 2019, after completing her second degree, Ms. Hamilton was appointed Senior Human Resource Officer, where she focused on HR statistics, maintained various databases, and managed the documents required for payroll and employee contracts. Ms. Hamilton’s hard work and dedication resulted in her appointment as Deputy Director of HRMD in March of 2022 and her successful appointment as the Director of HRMD, effective 1 June 2023. She is pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Arden University.

Ms. Hamilton was the beneficiary of many training opportunities, including various trainings with the Caribbean Development Bank and attending the Society of Human Resource Management Conference in 2017.

Ms. Hamilton, in commenting on her appointment, stated:

I am beyond thankful to God for making all things possible and to those around me who’ve contributed to molding me into the professional I am today. As I embark on this new role as Director of Human Resources, I will continue to put my best foot forward in, not only contributing toward the goals of the Office of the Deputy Governor but the successful management of the Human Resource Management Directorate by upholding the standards of the Public Service at large.”

Acting Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Hamilton, stated:

“As Director, Ms. Hamilton is tasked with overseeing, coordinating, and leading the public service recruitment process. Ms. Hamilton will also play an integral role in establishing our e-jobs platform, the ongoing pay and grading review, and other priority objectives in the Office of the Deputy Governor.”

Caribbean News

Bridgette Newman appointed as Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Public Safety & Utilities

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Office of Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Bridgette Newman to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities, effective 1 June 2023.

Boasting a public service career spanning some twenty-eight-plus years, Mrs. Newman began teaching at the Ona Glinton Primary School in September 1992. Following a ten-year tenure in the classroom, she moved into the mainstream of Government, where she was appointed Chief Information Officer within the Ministry of Communications, Works and Utilities. Shortly after that, she served as the Under Secretary within that ministry before being transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Labour. In 2011, Mrs. Newman was afforded the privilege of becoming the Cabinet Secretary and then Secretary to the Advisory Council during the Interim Administration.

Mrs. Newman stepped away from the service for two years. During that time, she completed a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership with merit from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.

Recognizing that there was much more to contribute to the public service and her country, Mrs. Newman rejoined the service in October 2015 as Head of the Secretariat within the Ministry of Home Affairs. She was promoted to Deputy Permanent Secretary in January 2016 within the same ministry. Moreover, 2020 saw the transfer of Mrs. Newman to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, Planning and Development. It thus began what Mrs. Newman describes as her most productive, meaningful, and impactful assignment since rejoining the public service.

During her time with the ministry, now Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), Mrs. Newman benefitted from several training programs with the Caribbean Development Bank, including Project Management and Public Policy Analysis. She also acted in the position of Permanent Secretary on numerous occasions. She had the opportunity to lead the team at a critical time, which would have been during the country’s preparation, impact, and recovery following the passage of Hurricane Fiona in September 2022.

When commenting on her appointment, Mrs. Newman stated:

I look forward to this new challenge as I continue my quest to make a difference in my country.

I pause to thank the Almighty, the head of my life, and then to say to my husband and son and my entire support system how grateful I am for their continuous love and support. I will continue to make you all proud.”

Acting Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Mrs. Newman, stated:

“As a part of our effort to improve productivity, efficiency, and, most importantly, delivery across the public service, a decision was taken during this year’s budgeting process to split the former Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Safety and Utilities (which had responsibility for 18 departments) into two ministries: (1) the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation and (2) the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities. This decision resulted in the addition of a new Permanent Secretary post.”

Caribbean News

On-going Traffic Operations

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have commenced traffic operations island wide, to ensure motorists are complying with the law.

On Friday 19^th May, 2021, RTCIPF officers from the Traffic Enforcement and Operational Response Units and officials of the DMV, conducted road blocks from 5 p.m. along Leeward Highway in the vicinity of First Caribbean Roundabout, Providenciales.

Commenting on the on-going operations Superintendent Dwight Gardiner said: “The RTCIPF has undertaken a zero tolerance approach against traffic violators in a bid to ensure road safety for all. These operations, in partnership with our DMV colleagues will also involve raising awareness and sensitizing the public as it relates to the Road Traffic Ordinances. It is imperative that persons fully comply with road traffic regulations in order to avoid being fined. We encourage you to assist us in maintaining a safer roadway in the TCI through compliance.”

Traffic Data : May 19^th , 2023 Traffic Stop/Vehicle Checks: 127

Number of tickets issued: 24

Number of Vehicles towed: 02

Number of persons warned of intended prosecution for driving motor vehicle without insurance: 02

The RTCIPF wishes to remind motorists that vehicle windows must have the following minimum levels of visible light transmittance:

Front windscreen: Above 50 per cent

Each front window; Driver and Passenger side windows: Above 50 per cent;

Rear Windows and Windscreen: Above 30 per cent.

If your vehicle’s tint does not meet these requirements, then under the Road Traffic Ordinance you commit a traffic violation and must pay the following:

TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS (250.00) PER WINDOW

The RTCIPF thanks you for your cooperation in advance.

Press Release: RTCIPF