TCI News
TCI Hospital pursues Accreditation to offer Medical Internships
#Provienciales, February 13, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has received significant interest from medical interns locally and worldwide in recent years. In an effort to further improve the quality of care and create a pipeline of future medical talent, the private health care management company has officially applied to become a facility, which is accredited to deliver medical internship programs.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Accreditation process involves the submission of an institutional self-assessment report by the interested facility. The request is reviewed by the UWI Accreditation Committee and where suitable, a team is selected to conduct an on-site assessment to verify the information provided in the report.
Four members of the UWI Accreditation Committee conducted the on-site assessment at TCI Hospital on February 8th and 9th 2019. The visiting team comprised of Professor Trevor McCartney – Chairman of UWI Accreditation Committee and former Chairman of Caribbean Association of Medical Councils (CAMC), Professor Howard Spencer – Registrar of CAMC, Dr Tomlin Paul – Dean of Medical Sciences UWI Mona Campus and Dr Lenroy Bryan – Lecturer, UWI Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
During the on-site assessment, the team participated in multiple stakeholder meetings and conducted a tour of Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre. Chief Executive Officer of InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital, Daniel Carriere gave remarks on past and present certifications pursued by the health care facility. The hospital has acquired three successive Diamond rankings by Accreditation Canada International in 2012, 2015 and 2018.
In addition, the hospital is currently seeking to become a Baby Friendly Hospital (BFHI) and Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). The latter program is delivered by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). Governance certifications were also successfully acquired from the Organization of Information Security (ISO) to bolster security practices for hospital information systems.
Chief of Medical Services, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant underscored the value of strategic alliances in health care and the broad range of internal training programs during her presentation. These programs are designed to foster a culture of continuous organizational learning and development, which paves a strong foundation for an internship program.
These include mandatory training programs, code drills, AHA certified courses and continuing medical education (CME) sessions, which are conducted by in-house and international facilitators. InterHealth Canada TCI is also contractually mandated to provide physicians with access to overseas medical conferences to keep academically up-to-date.
Under the internship program, participants are required to undergo a one-year paid rotation across four of the major disciplines. These are general surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology. These programs are carefully structured in accordance with robust standards to ensure participants acquire the clinical competence necessary to meet the requirements for medical licenses upon completion.
TCI Government has issued several educational scholarships within the field of medicine. Correspondingly, remarks were delivered by Edgar Howell, Director of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services, and President of the TCI Community College (TCICC), Dr Hugh Fulford. Several local medical students have expressed challenges for the internship component of their studies, said Howell. TCICC has also commenced a nursing program, which will benefit from locally accessible internships. Both education representatives expressed hopes that the medical centres will satisfy the requirements of the surveyors.
Health Registrar for the TCI Government, Dr Derrick Aarons, provided an overview of the role of the health registrar with reference to the relevant ordinance, which makes provision for medical internships. Chief Executive Officer of the Health Regulatory Authority (HRA), Pierre Richardson provided insight into the agency’s role and responsibilities. The HRA was established under the Health Regulations Ordinance 2016 and shall serve as an independent regulatory agency of public and private health care facilities in-country.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Board, Dr Terese Maitland gave remarks on the collaboration between TCI Hospital and the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB), which is responsible for the management of the contributory social health care scheme. The NHI Plan is the health financing mechanism for the delivery of health services in the country, which includes overseas tertiary level and catastrophic care.
Leader of the UWI assessment team, Professor McCartney commended InterHealth Canada for the comprehensive nature of the meetings and other stakeholders for the effort to maintain high standards and regulations. The Canadian company was also commended for the introduction a Public Private Partnership health care model in the Caribbean. The Minister of Health, Honourable Edwin Astwood also attended a portion of the sessions in support of the internship pursuit. The findings of the on-site assessment will be reviewed in the next UWI Accreditation Committee meeting in April or March 2019 and later released to the hospital.
Release: InterHealth Canada
Turks and Caicos, December 9, 2024 – What defines a person’s legacy: their struggles, their triumphs, or the impact they leave on others? For one Grand Turk native, Clyde Holiday, better known as “Crab”, the answer lies in an unwavering commitment to perseverance, faith, and community.
Born to an American Air Force father and a Turks Islander mother, this fearless son of the soil grew up in a small island community. From a young age, he embraced challenges, first as a motorcyclist and later as a skilled operator of heavy equipment and a businessman.
A passion for machinery and mechanics led him to Florida, where he perfected his craft and also worked in the restaurant industry. He later earned a certification as a marine mechanic. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, was not without hurdles.
Like many self-starters, he encountered failures in his early ventures. Yet, he refused to let setbacks define him. His first business venture came with a partnership chance with a Bahamian businessman in the meat industry which was a major breakthrough.
It proved that opportunity often arrives disguised as hard work, but success was fleeting. Entangled with the wrong crowd, he succumbed to addiction—a devastating chapter that brought legal troubles and shattered dreams.
What followed was a journey of redemption. While incarcerated, he experienced a moment of spiritual reckoning, drawing strength from his
faith and a Bible verse that stayed with him: “God gave men dominion over all things, but only He can change a man.”
Rejecting despair, he leaned into his community, church, and family, finding support in his first wife and guidance from local leaders. Emerging from this crucible, he rebuilt his life, uniting his faith and entrepreneurial drive.
His turning point came in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, when the storm devastated Turks and Caicos, leaving the government financially crippled.
This was his opportunity to step up and as a heavy equipment operator, he worked for years under an IOU agreement, repairing infrastructure and helping his country rebuild.
His sacrifices eventually paid off, enabling him to invest in a thriving grocery business and apartments.
What others viewed as disaster, he transformed into opportunity—a lesson in resilience for a nation still grappling with systemic challenges.
Today, he oversees seven businesses, embodying the potential of self-made success. Yet his greatest pride lies not in personal wealth but in community impact.
A staunch advocate for youth empowerment at an earlier age.
He calls for targeted education programs in schools to nurture trade skills, because not everyone is college bound. He also calls for unionization of suppliers to lower costs of goods, and reforms to strengthen economic self-sufficiency.
His philosophy challenges politicians and citizens alike to rethink their roles in how they can help shape the country’s future.
For skeptics, his story raises difficult questions about the role of personal responsibility versus systemic reform. Is it enough to inspire individuals, or must societies provide the structures to support their potential? His life suggests both are necessary. By turning personal struggles into public contributions, he exemplifies how individual resilience can intersect with collective progress.
When asked how he wishes to be remembered, his response is as inspiring as his journey: “For my love, charity, and care for the people of this great country.”
His life serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and a vision that extends beyond self-interest—a legacy that challenges us all to think bigger.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Employment Services Department is happy to announce the opening of our Online Work Permit Portal, effective 13th January 2025. This new system will make the work permit application procedure more efficient and straightforward.
Both will be able to access the portal:
• Corporate Applicants: Businesses or groups submitting applications on behalf of their staff members.
• General Applicants: People who apply for work permits directly.
A link to the portal APS Login and a demo video Application Processing System 18.Nov.2024.wmv with step-by-step instructions https://borderforceapps.gov.tc/download/guide.pdf is provided to ensure a smooth transition and ease of use. These resources will guide users through the registration process and demonstrate how to navigate and use the portal effectively.
This initiative is part of our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing processing times, and enhancing accessibility for all applicants.
We encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the portal before its launch. Training resources and detailed instructions are available to ensure a smooth transition.
For more information or assistance, please get in touch with the Employment Services Department at:
- Phone: 338-5639/4115
- Email: lsgibbs@gov.tc or cjoutten@gov.tc
- Website: APS Login
The Department appreciates your cooperation as we transition to this innovative platform to serve you better.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Pan American Health Organization hosted a Training of Trainers on the Strategic Risk Assessment using the Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) in St George’s, Grenada from 5 -7 November 2024.
The objectives of this training were:
- to Train Health Disaster Managers and counterparts on the STAR Methodology
- conduct a multi-stakeholder strategic risk assessment for Grenada
The Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) Tool has been developed by WHO (the World Health Organisation), to support member states in risk assessment using a standardised methodology.
STAR is a comprehensive toolkit to enable countries and regions to conduct a strategic, rapid, and evidence-base assessment of public health risk for planning and prioritisation of health emergency and disaster risk management activities.
Participants for this training included a multi-stakeholder group from Grenada as well as Health Disaster managers from Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent, Trinidad and members from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Joining the PAHO/WHO team as a facilitator for this training was the Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training of the Health Emergency Management Unit, Miss Charlene Higgs.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services congratulates Miss Higgs on this great accomplishment and her leadership role in the area of Health Disaster and Emergency Management in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth.
-
Caribbean News1 week ago15,000 new cases of HIV infections in the Caribbean, a 22% jump and PAHO explains why
-
Health1 week agoDangerous mpox strain detected in USA; PAHO issues a warning but not mass vaccinations
-
Bahamas News1 week agoLaRoda makes clarion call for end to all violence as country prepares to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
-
News1 week agoIndia offers SEVEN POINT Plan to CARICOM at Summit in Guyana
-
Caribbean News1 week agoEight Regional countries pick up new INFECTION; now OROPOUCHE VIRUS caught in Cayman and DR
-
Bahamas News1 week agoPaint Fair’s Colour & Design event
-
Caribbean News7 days agoCARPHA Hosts Regional IATA Infectious Substances Transport “Train-the-Trainer” Workshop with the Pandemic Fund’s Support
-
News6 days agoMinistry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos to host Christmas House Lighting Competition