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TCI Ministry of Health hosts 3-day Post Disaster Surveillance Workshop

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#Providenciales, February 4, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services (MHASHS), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted a 3 day “Post Disaster Surveillance Workshop” at the Atrium Resort Conference room in Providenciales (January 22nd – 24th, 2019).  The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Eldonna Boisson, Public Health advisor with PAHO. Dr Boisson possesses over 20 years of experience in infectious disease, epidemiology and field investigation. Participants consisted of 18 staff members from various MHASHS departments including the National Epidemiology and Research Unit, Environmental Health Department, Primary Health Care Department and National Public Health Laboratory.  The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen technical knowledge and capacity for post disaster surveillance. Importantly, the workshop also aimed to develop standardized processes for data collection strategies and methodologies for disease surveillance post disaster in Turks and Caicos Islands.

The geographical location of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), coupled with its humidity and warm seas, make it vulnerable to tropical cyclones during the Atlantic hurricane season (June through November) of each year. Unfortunately, the threat of these natural phenomena was realized when several major storms made landfall in the TCI.  Hurricanes can leave a post disaster situation with many health implications, not the least of which is an increased risk of communicable diseases such as gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting).  The conditions that promote gastroenteritis development include 1. Rain/flood water, which may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses, and which may infiltrate the public water supply. 2.  Power outages which may compromise the food supply and 3.  Displacement caused by the hurricane which may force living conditions that are amendable to the spread of disease. In addition, the risk of dengue an arboviral disease caused by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, is also heightened.  This is because flood water provides an environment that mosquito larva can live and grow.

The workshop represented a proactive approach on the part of MHASHS to ensuring that a properly functioning, robust surveillance system is available in the TCI in a post hurricane scenario.  When the surveillance process works as it should, it can serve as an early warning system that would trigger intervention/responses which can control the spread of disease.  As an important tool in a post disaster situation, the workshop also featured sessions on event based surveillance, an unstructured/non-standardized method of collecting information about health events that could be a serious risk to public health, and outbreak investigation.

For further information please contact the National Epidemiology and Research Unit on 338-3070/338-5066.

 

Release: TCIG

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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