Connect with us

Caribbean News

TCI: Renal Failure surges in TCI, more nurses needed

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, March 19, 2021 – The TCI Hospitals will get two full time nurses for the Dialysis Unit it explained in a media release as a result of that extra funding approved at Cabinet last week. 

Consultant Nephrologist at TCI Hospital, Dr. Vancelee Forbes, stated: “The dialysis unit welcomes this much-needed increase in staff as an interim measure to improve safety and increase the capacity of the dialysis unit at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to improve services, including facilitating the growth of the home dialysis program and increasing opportunities for kidney transplantation.”

Chief of Allied Services at TCI Hospital, Eleanor Hall, stated: “We are thankful for the approval of the additional nursing staff for the dialysis unit. The treatment session for a dialysis patient is four hours in duration and occurs three times per week. The additional nurses would help us adjust treatment shifts to better hours, prepare for new patients, and reduce the extended working hours currently required to deliver treatments. The hospital’s senior management team will continue to proactively discuss and seek support from TCI Government on long-term measures to meet the growing patient demand.”

The need for the new staff raises serious red flags about the escalation in people requiring the Hemodialysis Services unit.  Renal failure, more simply put, kidneys which are not functioning properly; unable to filter out waste and toxins from the body, unable to ensure the body stores and then uses vital nutrients from what is consumed and with the inability to function, a machine is employed to do the work for them. 

It was explained: “The increase in the number of patients presenting to the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital with chronic diseases complicated by renal failure has been the catalyst for an expanded hemodialysis service. There is an average of six to eight new patients per annum who require dialysis treatment. There are 55 patients currently on dialysis across both medical centres, and dialysis is a life-saving treatment.”

The Hemodialysis Services serves clients in Grand Turk and Providenciales.  The increase in patients and the pressures on health care due to the Coronavirus Pandemic required a request for greater support from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

“The private health care management company submitted a request to the TCI Government seeking additional infrastructure, equipment, and human resources to support the growing number of dialysis patients. The recent cabinet approval was to recruit two additional full-time dialysis nurses to serve 12 months as an interim measure and on an emergency basis.”

Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause for renal failure.  “According to the Pan American Health Organization, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been identified as an increasing public health issue worldwide and deserves focused attention in the Americas. Globally, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A similar picture is also accurate for the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the TCI Hospitals in the statement issued Thursday.

There are 55 people across the islands who need this service several times a week and the InterHealth Canada operated hospitals explained, “six to eight new patients are being added annually.” 

Thanks to the recently approved additional human resources by the TCI Cabinet, there will be greater capacity within the department “to cover treatment shifts for the next 12 months. The Hemodialysis Service consists of ten (10) Specialist Nurses and one (1) Dialysis Technician. A full-time Nephrologist supports the service. There are six dialyzer machines and four back-up machines at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. Cockburn Town Medical Centre has three dialyzer machines and two back-up machines.”

Bahamas News

SOILCARE PHASE II ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS HELD AS BAHAMAS JOINS A COALITION OF COUNTRIES COMMITTED TO RESTORING LANDSCAPES AND SECURING A RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL FUTURE

Published

on

ST. GEORGE’S GRENADA – The Bahamas is joining a coalition of Caribbean Small Island Developing States, that committed to restoring landscapes and securing a resilient agricultural future, by tackling land degradation and drought. The Bahamas is one of six new countries scheduled to benefit from the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) multi-country soil management initiative for Integrated Landscape Restoration and climate-resilient food systems (SOILCARE), Phase II, implemented by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM).

SOILCARE Phase I has been helping adopt policies, measures and best practices and support review of legal and institutional frameworks to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality LDN and Climate Resilience.

As PISLM prepares to launch Phase II of its flagship regional project, adding six new countries, two consultation sessions were completed on 3rd and 4th June by PISLM’s Sustainable Land Management Specialist Dr. Ronen Francis.

Project updates were present to the Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD IN the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands and Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas.

This project will seek to assist the country in upgrading its National Soil Laboratories through provision of modern equipment, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training of technicians. It will also help the Bahamas, to develop Digital Soil Maps, develop their national drought risk plans, including improved drought management, Cat Island. It will also support a youth agri-business programme that will foster youth-led innovation and align with the CARICOM 25×25 vision.

This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Allocated funding is$17.9 million USD and $26.5 million USD in co-financing, by regional Governments, including the Bahamas.

Photo Caption:

Photo 1 Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands Daniell, Ms. Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas and Dr. Ronen Francis-PISLM.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Bahamas Signs Major Agreements at Brazil–Caribbean Summit to Boost Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Regional Development

Published

on

Brasília, Brazil – Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with Brazil and the country’s entry into the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, following his participation in the Brazil–Caribbean Summit held in Brasília on June 14. The summit brought together leaders from CARICOM, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and key regional bodies to address pressing development challenges and renew economic and diplomatic ties with South America’s largest economy.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of these developments for the Bahamian people: “We signed a key agreement with Brazil to work together on food security, education, disaster management, and climate resilience. The Bahamas also joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — unlocking new resources to fight poverty and tackle inequality.”

The Brazil–Caribbean Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a revitalization of Brazil’s engagement with the Caribbean after years of declining trade and limited collaboration. Trade between Brazil and the Caribbean region has dropped from $6 billion in 2010 to $4 billion in 2024, with most economic activity concentrated in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. This summit aimed to reverse that trend by fostering stronger cooperation on sustainable development goals, energy transitions, and disaster preparedness.

A key communique issued at the close of the summit underscored the joint commitment of participating nations to clean and inclusive energy transitions. “We recognize the urgent need to promote clean, sustainable, fair, affordable and inclusive energy transitions…with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century,” the statement read. The leaders also called for increased financing mechanisms and international support to ensure developing nations can pursue these goals effectively.

The Bahamas’ inclusion in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a significant step forward in its efforts to build resilience and reduce socio-economic disparities. The Alliance, launched under Brazil’s G20 presidency and officially adopted by G20 nations in July 2024, is focused on achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals — the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) — while also addressing inequalities (SDG 10). Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded successful national programs and fostered international cooperation through high-level summits and a champions council to guide its implementation.

Brazil has seen notable benefits from spearheading the initiative, including increased global recognition and strong support from leaders such as World Bank President Ajay Banga. The country has also used the platform to scale up its own social programs and promote the human right to nutritious food and dignified living conditions.

For The Bahamas, Davis emphasized that these partnerships will bring practical advantages: “For us, partnerships like these mean greater access to expertise and innovation — lowering costs for families, strengthening our resilience, and driving national development.”

The summit also addressed wider regional concerns, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Leaders expressed “deep concern” over the multidimensional challenges facing the Haitian people and affirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s path to stability.                                                                                                                                                                        The participation of CARICOM leaders such as Guyanese President Irfaan Ali further underscored the importance of regional collaboration in meeting shared challenges. Discussions included scaling up investment for energy transition and disaster management infrastructure, areas of increasing urgency for climate-vulnerable Caribbean nations.

With its new commitments, The Bahamas joins a growing coalition of nations aligning development efforts with global best practices and collaborative frameworks. As climate risks intensify and inequality persists, these initiatives mark a shift toward proactive, cooperative strategies designed to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Training Programme Boosts Armed Policing 

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, June 20, 2025 – The International Policing Assistance Service (IPAS) is currently delivering a comprehensive eight-week ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programme to police officers from Caribbean British Overseas Territories, marking a significant step in enhancing armed policing capacity across the region.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has deployed two officers from its Tactical Unit to undertake the training.

The first phase of the programme, which concluded on 20 June, focused on Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) tactics.

ARVs are deployed in situations involving suspected firearms or threats to life, and the training aims to equip officers with advanced tactical skills in high-risk vehicle encounters.

Participants are learning de-escalation techniques, safe suspect extraction methods, and detention procedures that prioritize officer safety and operational control.

This training is delivered by the UK Home Office’s Firearms Subject Matter Experts, supported by National Firearms Instructors from Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police. Their expertise ensures the training aligns with the highest UK policing standards while being tailored to the unique operational environments of the Overseas Territories.

Developed in collaboration with Police Commissioners across the British Overseas Territories, this initiative is part of a broader effort to standardize firearms training and operational capabilities across the region.

Officers from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are participating in this programme, with the goal of returning to their home forces as certified trainers.

Superintendent Jason James, head of the RT&CIPF Strategic Operations, stated, “The provision of Armed Response Vehicles is an essential element of public safety across the Overseas Territories.

“By undertaking this training through a sustainable train-the-trainer model (funded by the UK Government), it will assist in our aim to build safer, more resilient communities across the TCI. This initiative strengthens not only individual officer capability but also regional collaboration, creating a unified and cohesive armed policing framework, whilst ensuring that tactics and procedures are adapted to the local environment.”

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING