#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – July 2, 2020 – Safe accommodations and a rescue flight to return for stranded Turks and Caicos residents were among the plans on the table tonight after a Covid-19 repatriation exercise today went disturbingly wrong.
Twenty-seven individuals were
left behind in disbelief at the Sheltair private airport in Ft Lauderdale,
South Florida as they watched their interCaribbean Airways chartered plane take
off with no passengers on board.
Entry for everyone, including new
born babies and their mothers was denied by Turks and Caicos Health officials
without explanation and at the last minute.
Once news of this shocking
abandonment of Turks and Caicos people hit mainstream and social media;
comments revealed widespread outrage and bewilderment about the Government’s
handling of the return home of citizens and expatriate workers.
Though many have pointed their
fingers at the government administration, we are told tonight that if it were the
final decision of the Minister and PDM Administration, all 27 individuals would
be back on Turks and Caicos soil.
“We are very much disappointed;
especially with our people being out there in Florida where you have so many
more cases (of Covid-19); they are at a higher risk being out there. So any flights
coming with seats on it, we want to have our people to fill it as much as we
can, to bring our people home,” said the Minister of Health, Edwin Astwood.
In an interview this evening, the
Minister confirmed to Magnetic Media that he was made aware of the denial of
entry to 27 residents and citizens late Wednesday night. The individuals, had either bought their own
tickets or had airfare paid for by the National Health Insurance Plan, which
arranged seats for returning patients.
The response to the outcry for
help was an immediate review the passenger list, after which he issued this recommendation:
“In reviewing the list of persons
scheduled on the flight, the majority are NHIP patients and the remainder is in
possession of a recent Covid-19 negative test result. Also included are three mothers with newborn
babies. In addition, most stated that
they would be able to quarantine at home (being in possession of their recent
negative Covid-19 test).
I am recommending that the flight
be granted leave to enter the TCI tomorrow afternoon, bringing the returning
residents.”
With the Minister of Health on
their side, the residents who had been previously informed their re-entry was denied
were confident the repatriation flight would now take place. However, those hopes were crushed and instead
the terminal was an emotional mix of tears, frustration, anger and bitter disappointment
for the passengers, their families and the interCaribbean Airways crew.
The Minister confirmed that his
Wednesday night communication was dispatched, via email, to the Chief Medical
Officer, who is Dr. Nadia Astwood and the Director of Environmental Health, who
is Kenrick Neely, among others.
“Maybe the Health officials thought
they were working in the best interest of the general public because of the
capacity and our recent outbreak (of coronavirus). That is what I am thinking that maybe they
were thinking that they were acting in the public’s best interest by saying ‘no’
to this flight,” shared Minister Astwood.
The recommendation from the
Minister, who is also a health professional, was rejected without notification,
explanation or discussion.
“I thought persons would have taken
the recommendation and go ahead with the flight, because I put myself on the
line saying yes, that I would recommend that they do this flight. The relevant health officers, whom the (Public
and Environmental Health) Ordinance empowers to make the final decision didn’t agree
with the flight coming in,” explained Edwin Astwood.
Minister Astwood confirmed that
up to the time of our interview, he had still not been offered a reason for the
denial of the flight by the CMO and EHD Director.
The Minister did say that both
officers have since been informed the situation their denial of re-entry has
created will now cost the Government more money and has attracted considerable
public backlash.
“We have the money that we can
get a quarantine place. Now it will cost us the government much more in money and
time, and funds are tight but it will cost us much more.”
It was also explained that knowing
the details of this flight manifest in advance would have given the government
administration more time to lobby for approvals and could have provided the
opportunity to remove stumbling blocks.
“I have gotten other ministers
involved; the Minister of Tourism, Immigration and the Premier are involved and
we are seeing how we best we can sort out this problem and we have to do an
investigation into what went wrong, why this happened at the ninth hour and why
we were informed so late, yesterday evening.”
As for what happens tonight and
when the residents can be brought home, Magnetic Media is informed that the National
Health Insurance Board has been asked to offer assistance to residents until a
rescue flight is arranged.
All stranded passengers are confirmed to have safe lodgings for the evening.
InterCaribbean Airways is ready
to re-try the repatriation flight; requiring time to organize the mission and
financial support from the Government to return for the individuals who remain stuck
in Florida.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.
In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.
During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.
The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”
The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.
The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas. For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat
Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –
Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:
Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.
Our new application method
Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.
Dates
Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
Acceptance Letter
Transcript
Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.
Support
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.
You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.
The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.
The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.
CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.
Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”
Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”
Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.”
The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.
For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.