TCI News

Overview of Diagnostic Imaging Services Post 2017 Hurricanes

Published

8 years ago

February 7, 2019

#Providenciales, February 7, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Similar to other major service providers across the country, InterHealth Canada – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital received significant damages during the hurricanes in September 2017. These included latent damages to the electrical circuitry of medical equipment that only became apparent over time. The total cost of repairing the damages to the hospital’s infrastructure and medical equipment is estimated to be USD$16 million.

The majority of the equipment in the hospital is highly sophisticated and extremely sensitive. The environment of CT, MRI and Mammography machines require tight control over temperature and humidity. An independent review of the Diagnostic Imaging infrastructure at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre was conducted by XRCT Limited, a physics consulting company based in Ontario.

The report stated: “In the wake of the storms, the lack of air conditioning lead to ambient air temperature and humidity conditions within the facility that were outside of the manufacturer requirements. This created a severely hazardous environment for electronic components. In addition, the restoration of power to the island created multiple daily power outages, surges and brownouts. All of these conditions, when combined have led to premature component failure, significant increase in downtime and potentially shortened the expected lifecycle of the diagnostic imaging equipment.”

INTERIM CORRECTIVE MEASURES

Biomedical Engineers employed at the facility assisted by overseas specialists worked assiduously to resolve any emerging technical issues. To date, all diagnostic imaging machines are fully operational. The intermittent downtime experienced in previous months with CT and Mammography machines were minimal. The MRI machine was operational, but with limitations on the type of radiological scans that could be performed at the time.

“Despite the high temperatures and lack of humidity control present in the facility, the records show the hospital continued to make every effort to operate the equipment under these extreme conditions in the interest of providing vital and medically necessary patient care,” stated XRCT Consultants in an official report. These efforts sought to ensure the continuity of high-quality care and to minimize the number of patients who require treatment abroad. Patients were categorized based on clinical priority and the equipment up-times were maximized by increasing the volume of radiological scans performed per day.

THE MAINTENANCE PROCESS

CT, MRI and Mammography machines generate significant heat while in use and at rest. Therefore, operating temperatures within these areas are closely monitored, checked and reviewed regularly to ensure temperature and humidity is within the guidelines established by the manufacturer. Any changes in these precise specifications can create the risk of overheating and damage to internal components. Monitoring the relative humidity of MRI rooms is also crucial to avoid the risk of moisture damage to very delicate electronic components such as electronic expansion boards, cables, and connectors.

XRCT Limited also performed an extensive review of the service records for the Diagnostic Imaging department and stated: “Over the months/years preceding the storms in 2017, the service history for all the equipment was excellent. In fact, with the exception of a few random downtime events and planned maintenance, the uptime of all clinical systems was quite good, in excess of 99%.” Based on these expert findings, the technical issues experienced over previous months were evidently not attributed to inefficiencies in the maintenance or management processes established by InterHealth Canada, but were connected to acts of nature, beyond human control.

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

InterHealth Canada has continued to abide by the terms of the Project Agreement and meet the extensive reporting and service standards detailed in the contract. As partners in health care, InterHealth Canada is contractually mandated to submit monthly reports to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) related to over 48 clinical key performance indicators, including Diagnostic Imaging services. These key performance indicators seek to demonstrate how effectively the management company is achieving pre-established targets. InterHealth Canada fully supports and complies with these accountability mechanisms.

The TCI Government via the Contract Management Unit has been kept informed, at all times, where services have required expansion or, where challenges such as the 2017 hurricanes have caused damage to equipment, resulting in some delays to services. Representatives of TCI Government’s Contract Management Unit and Fortis TCI also conducted a physical inspection of the UPS and surge protectors in the Diagnostic Imaging Department.

THE LIFE CYCLE PROGRAM

Managing the lifecycle of medical equipment from planning to purchase, installation, operation all the way through decommissioning and disposal helps medical institutions improve operational efficiency, enhance quality and reduce service-related cost.

The purchase of capital equipment is covered under a life-cycle program, which is a reserve fund established under the contract between TCI Government and InterHealth Canada for equipment replacement. The decision to purchase equipment involves several key considerations. These include: Equipment Specifications and Suitability, Procurement and Logistics, Available Financial Resources, Prospects for Maintenance, Repair and Life expectancy.

InterHealth Canada has filed a short term and long-term recovery plan with TCI Government and are actively considering replacement possibilities for key modalities in diagnostic imaging. Negotiations are also underway with the insurance companies relative to the damages ensued.

Release: InterHealth Canada

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise Targets Illegal Occupation of Crown Land in Five Cays

Published

3 days ago

October 25, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorised use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land throughout Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorised use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of forty (40) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorised Occupation were served in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to various forms of unauthorised occupation and use of Crown land, including incomplete structures, shipping containers, derelict vehicles, trailer chassis, building materials and other items.

Where persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items. The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that identified instances of unauthorised occupation are appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that Crown land must not be occupied, developed or otherwise used without lawful authority.

The Crown Land Unit, supported by the ISU and its other partner agencies, will continue to identify and address instances of illegal occupation of Crown land across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons affected by notices issued during enforcement exercises are encouraged to comply with the requirements outlined and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

News

BermudAir Launches Service to the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 26th, Expanding Air Connectivity Ahead of Winter Season

Published

6 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.

BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.

The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.

“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.

Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:

Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026

The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.flybermudair.com.

News

DDME Celebrates International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Published

6 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Emcee and members of the panel (L-R): Ms. Arnisiqua Selver, Mistress of Ceremony; Mr. Andrew Gardiner, TCI Red Cross; Mr. Garry McLean, Department of Planning and Ms. Kevaun Lucas, Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 22 October 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) joined the global observance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on October 13th. Various initiatives were held throughout the islands to bring awareness to the public, including panel discussions, community engagement activities, school visits, essay writing and an original video submission from the Eliza Simons School in Grand Turk.

Disaster Risk Reduction is a people-centred endeavour; it emphasises that policies, systems and investments must be designed around the needs and capabilities of individuals and communities, according to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Each year, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), as the implementing agency for the Sendai Framework, issues a call to action encouraging individuals, communities, and countries to become resilient.

The 2026 IDDRR theme, ‘Resilience Starts at Home’ seeks to bring global and national awareness of the core role of households in disaster risk reduction, advocating for stronger governance and investment in resilient housing, reducing housing-related risk and empowering households to take risk-informed actions to protect themselves and strengthen community resilience.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, in an effort to reduce disaster risk, seeks to observe the concepts and core principles of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030. Throughout the years, many initiatives have been taken through the various stages of the disaster cycle from preparedness to recovery in an effort to strengthen the resilience of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Initiatives such as the creation and consistent updating of building codes, the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project following major hurricanes such as Ike in 2008, the creation of an early recovery framework, as well as strengthening CCRIFF insurance were all implemented to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands were on the path to build back stronger and better.

This year’s theme underscores the roles governments, the private sector, and individuals play in ensuring communities and homes are safe and more resilient. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has made significant strides in ensuring that homes are constructed through the use of risk-informed planning, land use planning and construction practices. The Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project, which facilitated the construction of twenty-four (24) completely rebuilt homes and repaired thirty-four (34) homes, provided a baseline for future housing initiatives such as Programme 3. This programme includes community renewal and infilling under the National Housing Policy and seeks to repair property that has sustained physical damage for vulnerable people.

Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are reminded of the individual role that they can play in ensuring that their homes are resilient.

Ensure that you obtain the proper approvals from the Planning Department before building.
Ensure that you utilise the standards and building codes of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Include proper drainage systems and other methods to reduce flooding and water pooling near your home.
Update your family emergency plans and ensure that everyone in your household is aware of its contents.

Let us all do our part in ensuring that all homes across the Turks and Caicos Islands are resilient.

Highlights from IDDRR can be seen on the Official DDME Social media accounts: Facebook @ddme.tci_official and Instagram @ddm.tci