Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – A suite of actions that constitute misconduct for medical professionals in the Turks and Caicos has been laid out by the Government, along with a process outlined for recourse for residents who think they have been wronged via proposed amendments to the Health Professions Ordinance.

Section VIII of the ordinance which dealt with disciplinary actions has been repealed and replaced; included in that replacement is a list of 12 actions that will land medical professionals in hot water.

Drinking on the job, abandoning patients, faking certificates for vaccines and even sharing profits are actions that TCIG is warning against. The full list outlines the misconduct of a health professional as:

• If he personally abuses or misuses alcohol or other substances such that it affects or impairs the performance of his duties, or during the performance of his duties;
• If he abuses or misuses his position as a health professional;
• If he conducts himself in an indecent or violent behavior;
• For misconduct in research endeavors;
• If he willfully betrays a professional confidence;
• If he abandons a patient in danger without sufficient cause, and without giving him an opportunity to retain the services of another health professional;
• Knowingly gives a false certificate respecting birth, death, notice of disease, state of health, vaccination or disinfection or respecting any matter relating to life, health, or accident insurance;
• Divides with another person, who is not a partner, any fees or profits resulting from consultations or surgical operations, without the patient’s knowledge and consent;
• Impersonates another health professional;
• Employs in connection with his professional practice an assistant who is not registered or licensed under this Ordinance, or permits a person who is not registered or licensed under this Ordinance to attend or treat patients
• Directly or indirectly holds himself out to the public as a specialist or as being specially qualified in any particular branch of medicine and who has not taken a special course in such branch and received a certificate of specialty therein which is recognized by a council;
• Does or fails to do any act or thing, the doing of which or the failure to do which a council considers to be unprofessional or discreditable

If a resident alleges malpractice or makes a complaint against a medical health professional, the proposed amendments now require that person to provide in writing an affidavit detailing the alleged offense and his reasons for believing it true.

The authorities then have to decide whether the complaint is genuine and then proceed to censure, reprimand the health professional, suspend their license, or strike them from the register of licensed registered health professionals via hearing.

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – When the National Youth Awards were held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, a number of organizations that have long been making outstanding contributions to youth development were bestowed with first-time national awards; the Turks and Caicos Islands Government honouring their contributions to the country.

The Saint Monica’s Christian Youth Movement, Rotaract Club, Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre, and Pine Cay Project were all awarded. 

The awards were presented during the first annual National Youth Awards on September 27th as the country celebrated Youth Week.

The Saint Monica’s Christian Youth Movement was highlighted for being Outstanding In Community Spirit And Building Relationships.

The Rotaract Club was awarded for being Outstanding In Community Projects.

The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre for being Outstanding In Community Impact Through Volunteer Services.

Finally, the Pine Cay Project was recognized for its Outstanding Corporate Contributions.

The organizations were awarded along with a group of young people who have recorded significant achievements across education, entrepreneurship, sports, and more.

The National Youth Awards were held at the ballroom of Beaches Turks and Caicos.

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Border Force will be up and running by next month according to Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services who gave a national update on the progress of the squad during a recent parliamentary meeting.

“We now have a date of October 30^th, 2023 for the launch of the first phase,” he explained. The force has been described as ‘revolutionary by Anya Williams, Deputy Governor.

Musgrove was speaking in the House of Assembly on September 20th and revealed that this initial phase will incorporate the Customs and Border Protection agencies as well as the Intelligence and Corporate Units.

Musgrove explained that the Corporate Unit would serve as a sort of auditor for the Border Force and the Ministry.

“Our Corporate Unit will include our assurance functions that will audit our processes and our actions to ensure that we are upholding the mission, vision, and principles of our Border Force,” he said.

The minister is promising updated operating structures, agents with new skills and a new look with updated uniforms, all in an effort to tighten the country’s security at its very porous borders.

The Force is aiming to secure the TCI against human and drug trafficking (which in recent weeks have shown an alarming correlation), arms trafficking, poaching and more.

“Not only will we look different, but we will also work differently – and that is what is key,” the minister promised.

The Force will be under the control of Emilio Seymour who was appointed Director General back in April.

More security features, including the long-awaited container scanners for the country’s ports, are also on the Minister’s agenda.