TCI News
TCI: Vector Control Workshop held in Providenciales
#Providenciales, August 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Environmental Health Department (EHD) is an arm of the Ministry of Health, 
Agriculture, Sports and Human Services that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment which may affect human health. One of the functions of the EHD is pest management/vector control. The EHD in collaboration with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) commenced a vector control workshop on August 13-17, 2018 facilitated by Ms. Camille White of CARPHA at Ports of Call Conference Room, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
The objectives of the workshop were:
- To assess the existing or potential entomology laboratory facilities in each CARPHA Member State
- To train vector control personnel in the entomological laboratory techniques associated with the collection and data management of Aedes Aegypti mosquito indices
- To develop and implement feedback mechanisms for entomological indices and vector control field operations
Present at the workshop were:
- EHD Vector Control and Environmental Health Officers
- Private Pest Control Operators
- National Epidemiology and Research Unit Health Surveillance Officer
- Primary Health Care staff
- Agriculture Department staff
- Representatives from TCI Hospital
- Health Disaster and Training Unit
The Director of Environmental Health stated “this workshop is a timely one and it’s important for all stakeholders including the public to understand the importance of their roles in pest management/vector control in the Turks and Caicos Islands”. EHD would also like to thank the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports & Human Services for its continuous support of the EHD in ensuring this workshop occurred. The Department is also grateful to Ms. Camille White and CARPHA for facilitating the workshop.
The Director continued by stating that “I am very proud of my EHD staff, especially my Vector Control team throughout the TCI which has worked around the clock and sometimes seven days a week conducting swamp monitoring, premises inspections and educating the general public on vector control preventive measures. Thanks also to the EHD team who worked behind the scenes in ensuring that this workshop was successful”.
EHD is committed to safe-guarding the public against vectors that can cause diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika in the TCI. This workshop, along with a number of other coordinated activities in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization and Public Health England, is aimed at strengthening the TCI’s Vector Control Unit.
Through the departments vector control program, public education and clean up campaigns, the TCI has seen a reduction in the number of confirmed cases of dengue and the last confirmed case of Zika in the TCI was documented in January 2017.
Let’s work together to keep TCI Vector-Borne Disease free.
Released: 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.
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