Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services Commissions New Mobile Clinic in Providenciales

#Providenciales, September 17, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Primary Health Care Department has commissioned their new and first of its kind in the Turks and Caicos Islands, mobile clinic.  The mobile clinic is expected to provide community outreach services at the primary health care level to communities throughout the island of Providenciales.

It is the mission of the Ministry to provide high quality health services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands through the hard work and commitment of dedicated professional health care providers. The Ministry of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its vision of “a healthier and empowered people throughout the life cycle in communities conducive to healthy living”.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.  There are 17 Goals which build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.

The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focuses on “Good health and well-being”; ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.  The introduction of this mobile clinic is one of the Primary Health Care Departments initiatives aimed at achieving SDG 3 by improving access to basic health care services within communities.

Interventions focused on disease prevention, improved self-reliance and health education in a Primary Care setting are far more cost effective than treating diseases and their associated complications in costlier hospital settings.

Primary Health Care has long been recognized as a critical area to focus additional resources on in order to improve health outcomes and this is evidenced by initiatives such as the implementation of a mobile clinic, the provision of additional human resources which have been approved in the most recent budget and ongoing capital projects focusing on building and equipping new Primary Health Clinics on the island of North Caicos.

With the introduction of the mobile clinic, it is expected that persons who may not have previously accessed health care at the clinics in Providenciales would be able to engage with primary health care providers in their respective communities by taking the services to the people. The clinic will provide an array of services aimed at reducing the burden of disease, particularly Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases such as hypertension and diabetes which are prevalent in the TCI.

The vehicle was designed to suit the needs of the Primary Health Care team and is equipped with two examination rooms, an inside waiting area, a bathroom and a wheelchair lift.  The vehicle is powered by both fuel (gasoline) and a generator.  It has a retractable awning on the outside to allow for an additional seating area once parked.

The vehicle is expected to park in assigned areas of communities on days when the team will be out conducting community visits.  The following services will be provided on board:

1. Sexual and reproductive health screening           7. Family planning
2. Maternal and child health screening                    8. Simple dressings
3. Vaccination campaigns                                        9. Dental assessment
4. Health promotion activities                                 10. Basic health screening
5. Blood donor services                                          11. Mental health services
6. Nutritional counselling

Look out for the mobile clinic in your area and help us to continue to build a healthier nation!

For more information about the mobile clinic call telephone numbers: (649) 338-5469 or (649) 338-3057.

Release: TCIG