TCI News
TCI observes World Antibiotic Awareness Week
#Providenciales, November 20, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health (both animal and plant), food security, and development today. Antibiotic resistance refers specifically to the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics (medications used to treat them). They have warned that it is so severe that if no action is taken it threatens our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illnesses, disability, and even death.
This highlights the importance of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW). WAAW, which is being celebrated on November 18 – 24th this year, is an annual observance that highlights the steps everyone can take to improve antibiotic prescribing and use.
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. However, certain human behaviours can make the situation worse and speed up the process. This includes the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in people and animals, including use without professional oversight. Examples of misuse include when people take antibiotics for viral infections like colds and flu, and when they are given to animals to promote their growth or used to prevent diseases in healthy animals.
Given the above, here are some ways you can help prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistant organisms:
· Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor. That is, do not skip doses and ensure that you complete your course of treatment, even when you start feeling better.
· Only take antibiotics prescribed for you; do not share or use leftover antibiotics.
· Do not save antibiotics for the next illness, discard any leftover medication.
· Do not ask for antibiotics when your doctor thinks you do not need them.
· Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practicing safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date.
· Do not purchase antibiotics from unlicensed pharmacies or shops.
Because antibiotic resistance is a complex problem that is driven by many connected factors, it is important to take a multisectoral coordinated approach to minimize its emergence and spread. In light of this, the Ministry of Health has formed a working group, comprised of health professionals from various sectors, to devise a national action plan (NAP) to tackle the this very serious problem.
The NAP is a comprehensive plan that will place emphasis on antimicrobial resistance (resistance in microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) and not just antibiotic resistance itself. The NAP will seek to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance, strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research, reduce the incidence of infection and improve the use of antimicrobial agents. Throughout the year, members of the team have engaged in several exercises and training designed to build capacity in this area.
The MoHASHS in collaboration with the TCI Hospital and local pharmacies has planned a number of events/activities. These include:
- Discussion on antibiotic resistance on Monday, November 18th airing on RTC’s Health Matters Radio show at 7:00 p.m.
- Distributing information flyers to the Primary Health Care clinics.
- Setting up information booths at the TCI Hospitals on Wednesday, November 20th.
- Discussions on antibiotic resistance (to be conducted by the Director of Agriculture) with farmers throughout the week (November 18 – 24, 2019).
- A presentation on antibiotic resistance at HJ Robinson High School on Friday, November 22, 2019.
- A presentation on antibiotic resistance to church groups in Grand Turk at the LIFE Training Centre on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
- A presentation on antibiotic resistance to Providence Baptist Church, North Caicos on Sunday, November 24, 2019.
- A presentation on antibiotic resistance to Enid Capron Primary School by Carolina Pharmacy, Thursday, November 21, 2019.
- Discussion on antibiotic resistance on the Breakfast Club by Carolina Pharmacy, Saturday, November 23, 2019.
- Local pharmacies will be educating and counselling patients on antibiotic resistance at their respective locations throughout the week.
For more information regarding antibiotic resistance please contact the MoHASHS on 338-5132 or 338- 3072.
Release: TCIG
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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