TCI News
TCI: Commissioning and Unveiling of two new Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics on the island of North Caicos
North Caicos, December 9, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Honorable Premier and the Minister of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services are pleased to announce the successful commissioning and unveiling of the two new Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics on the island of North Caicos.
The commissioning occurred on Friday 22nd November, 2019 under the watchful eyes of patrons from North and Middle Caicos, who witnessed the unveiling and naming of the Cecelia Gray-Gardiner PHC clinic in Bottle Creek, and the Navilyn Leonza Hall- Butterfield PHC clinic in Kew. The occasion was a momentous one for the people of those islands, and was said to have been “worth the wait and all of the challenges experienced along the way to such grand openings.”
Registered Nurse/Midwife, Mrs. Cecelia Gray-Gardiner, a native of North Caicos provided forty (40) years of service with pride to that Island from 1946 to 1990 when she retired. Mrs. Navilyn Hall-Butterfield was the first “Nanny” in the community of Kew and safely assisted many mothers during labour and delivery.
Strengthening delivery of health care services based on the principles of primary health care through the implementation of the Primary Health Care Renewal Strategy (PHCRS) and the redefined model of primary health care is one of the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Health. The construction and commissioning of these two new clinics on the island of North Caicos is in keeping with the PHCRS, strategic direction 2: improvement/strengthening of the physical infrastructure and staffing of public PHC facilities.
The Minister of Health commenting on the commissioning of the two new clinics in North Caicos stated “I am very happy for the people of North Caicos, and the Turks & Caicos on a whole to see these two new clinics open and modern health care services being available in the communities. This is a promise in the Government’s Change Document (pg. 44) which speaks to Increase Access to Health Care, the Strengthening of Primary Health Care, and the Promotion of healthy life Styles. The Government is committed to the continuance of the improvement of health facilities and services available throughout our communities. We want the residents to fully utilize the facilities and services available for the further prevention, identification, and treatment of medical conditions and disorders, and the maintenance of Healthy Lifestyles.”
Construction of the two new clinics was funded through the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s Capital funding programme, and was completed within the required timeline. However, as was noted by the Government officials present at the commissioning, the two hurricanes of 2017, Irma and Maria, caused major setbacks to the procurement of furniture and equipment for these two health care facilities which required the approval of a separate capital project. The current clinics include more spacious waiting rooms/reception area, dispensary, consultation rooms, observation rooms/treatment rooms and patient and staff bathrooms. Both clinics also house space for Dental Services and the Emergency Medical Services Department. This would see a more modernized health care services on the island of North Caicos, which will be more easily accessible and readily available to the residents and visitors on that island.
The Primary Health Care Department looks forward to welcoming both residents and visitors of North Caicos to these two modern facilities. For more information, please contact the Primary Health Care Manager at telephone number 1-649-338-5469.
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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