News

TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT

Published

5 years ago

March 25, 2021

#TurksandCaicos, March 25, 2021 – His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 4^th meeting of Cabinet on Monday 15 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales.

All members were present.

At this meeting Cabinet:

· Were updated on the state of the nation and discussed measures to further address and mitigate against any escalation of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and discussed increased testing of front line staff and the population at large.

Approved the extension of existing control measures (curfew, business hours, capacity or persons allowed in named establishments/scenarios and ban on public and private gatherings, sporting or social activity of any description on all islands save for training for CARIFTA and by the TCIFA) on the basis of expert modelling advice.

Approved the following new measures with effect from Wednesday 17 March until Friday 2 April unless otherwise stated:

a) Suspension of business operations for 8 or 15 days for repeat non-compliance with measures,

b) Extending the use of logbooks until 30^th June 2021, and

c) Extending the ban on cruise ship arrivals until 31^st August 2021.

· Approved amendments to facilitate the operation of pleasure craft. These include:

a) Pleasure craft are permitted to operate at a maximum occupancy of 30%,

b) Vessels with a capacity of 10 persons or less be limited to a maximum of six persons from outside the same household,

c) A ban on all boat parties,

d) All pleasure craft are required to register with DECR, who will also be responsible for determining the capacity of each vessel.

· Approved the appointment of Attorney Ms Elizabeth Charlton, Senior Crown Counsel, AG Chambers as a Member of the Allied Health and Pharmacy Council until 21 July 2021, replacing Ms. Chassidy Swann (Attorney).

· Approved the discontinuation of the Social Stimulus Program within the Ministry of Education, with the balance of funds to be reallocated to the purchasing of food vouchers with distribution by the TCI Conglomerate of NGOs to assist vulnerable persons.

· Noted progress with the provision of online education for all students. Approved a phased approach to the reopening of schools commencing on 22 March and 3 May 2021 depending on size of school and state of readiness. All schools with less than 200 students are allowed to return to face to face learning with schools with 200 or more students to utilize a blended approach.

· Approved the use of the Gaming Control Commission Board as a Commission appointed under the Casinos Ordinance and following the requirements of the Gaming Control Ordinance to consider an application from Desarollos Hotelco Ritz Carlton for the establishment of an in-house casino.

· Approved Supplementary Appropriation No. 3 relating to FY 20/21 reducing funding from the Public Sector Investment Program; reducing funding for specific capital projects; the transfer of funds from the Contingency Fund; and an adjustment to the recurrent expenditure. Some of the funds recovered will be used to cover the increase in retirement benefits and the increase in allocation to the economic stimulus program.

· Members discussed the implications of Supplementary Appropriation No. 3 and agreed next steps on a number of existing and new capital projects along with their associated human/funding requirements.

· In line with the process under the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance, approved the Procurement Board’s recommendations on the award of the following contracts:

a) TR 20/31, Consultancy Services for Valuation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) Fixed Assets,

b) PN 005577, Furniture for Road Safety – Providenciales (TR 20/49) and

c) TCICAA 01/2020, Automobiles for the Turks and Caicos Civil Aviation Authority – Grand Turk (TR 20/27)

· Approved the terms of settlement, as proposed by the Attorney General, to an ongoing claim against the TCI Government.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Related Topics:#magneticmedianews #nigeldakin #tcicabinetstatement

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Deandrea Hamilton

Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform

Published

17 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

Education

Turks and Caicos Islands Students Excel at Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional AI Game National Awards Ceremony

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Ministry of Education Representatives with Rubis and Top 3 Performers

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 22 July 2026: The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture proudly congratulates the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands on their outstanding performance at the Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional Virtual Sustainable Stock Market AI Game National Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the Blue Haven Resort, under the theme “Champions Today. AI Leaders Tomorrow.” It was hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with WizdomCRM.

Students across the Caribbean took part in the investment challenge, each beginning with a virtual portfolio of USD $25,000 and working to grow it through simulated investments on regional and international stock markets. Throughout the competition, students were guided by Mr. Rabbit, WizdomCRM’s AI Tutor, and supported by E-Classroom sessions, building financial literacy, critical thinking and investment skills.

The Turks and Caicos Islands emerged as the region’s top-performing territory, claiming the top six regional positions, securing 14 of the Caribbean’s Top 20 places, and placing four schools on the regional leaderboard. Leading the region was Marc Roubentz-Perceus of TCIPS Comprehensive High School, who grew his portfolio to USD $370,336.63. He was followed by Joshua Creese of Raymond Gardiner High School in second place, and Stendro Chalas of TCIPS Comprehensive High School in third. Raymond Gardiner High School was also recognised as the Top School for Cycle 13.

Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “I congratulate every student who took part in Cycle 13. You

have demonstrated the confidence to compete with the very best students regionally, and you have shown our country what is possible. This success is not luck; it is the result of an ecosystem built by students, teachers, parents, school leaders and partners who continue to invest in educational excellence. As we look ahead, the Ministry is in active discussions with WizdomCRM to expand access to its AI-powered learning tools, including Super AI, the AI Tutor, the Plagiarism Checker and the Grammar Checker, so that our young people are equipped with the future-ready skills they need to succeed.”

The Ministry extends sincere appreciation to the dedicated teachers who mentored the students, and to Rubis Turks and Caicos, whose sponsorship provided the cash prizes awarded to the top three regional champions. The Ministry also thanks WizdomCRM, participating schools, parents and stakeholders for their partnership in this achievement, which reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment to innovation, digital learning and youth development across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

WIZDOM CRM – Top Performers Cycle 13

Position	Name	School	Portfolio Value	Regional Placement
1st	Marc Roubentz-Perceus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 370,336.63	1st
2nd	Joshua Creese	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 264,841.31	2nd
3rd	Stendro Chalas	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 247,738.09	3rd
4th	Ojed’harlie Jolissaint	Wesley Methodist School	$ 227,389.60	4th
5th	Tyshawn Wright	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 189,064.18	5th
6th	Jah’keem Missick	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 173,654.58	6th
7th	Curvin Handfield	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 156,984.89	8th
8th	Chadazea Darville	Wesley Methodist School	$ 147,428.43	9th
9th	Vivaan Castleton	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 120,833.83	14th
10th	Damendine Simplus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 118,660.55	15th
11th	Dyvion Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 111,572.81	16th
12th	Colin Moriarty	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 106,854.81	17th
13th	Kensley Felix	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 101,285.06	18th
14th	Redjino Saint-Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 99,927.39	19th

TEACHERS

Fexnel Colvert – TCIPS Comprehensive High School
Valerie Olice – Raymond Gardiner High School
Warren French – Wesley Methodist School
Phyllis Boucher – British West Indies Collegiate

Top Performing School: Raymond Gardiner High School

Government

Parnell Urges Premier to Step Aside, Proposes Bipartisan Board to Guide Healthcare Transition

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — Opposition Leader Douglas Parnell is calling on Premier Charles Washington Misick to step aside, arguing that the Government has failed to provide the leadership, transparency and public engagement needed as the Turks and Caicos Islands prepares for one of the most significant changes in its healthcare system.

Responding to Government statements following InterHealth Canada’s contract termination notice, Parnell said residents were only now learning officially that negotiations with the hospital operator had been underway for more than a year, despite several previous opportunities for Government to inform the public.

He questioned why no detailed explanation was provided during the State of the State Address, Budget Debate or recent healthcare announcements, including the opening of the new polyclinic.

Parnell argued that while the PDM supports reforming or replacing the existing hospital arrangement, the process must be transparent and centred on the public interest.

The Opposition Leader reminded residents that the PDM had challenged the InterHealth agreement while in government, pursuing arbitration and preparing further legal action over concerns about the contract before leaving office following the General Election.

To guide the next phase, Parnell proposed establishing a bipartisan Health Transition Board comprising Government and Opposition representatives to oversee the transition, monitor public accountability and manage the procurement process for any future healthcare provider.

He also outlined what the PDM believes should form the foundation of the next healthcare system, including guaranteed continuity of care, automatic employment protection for hospital workers, recruitment incentives for specialist physicians, expanded intensive care services, comprehensive mental health care, enhanced geriatric services and accelerated efforts to attract qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders in the medical profession back home.

Parnell also presented ten questions for Government covering outstanding payments, borrowing plans, legal implications, transition arrangements and the future structure of healthcare delivery.

He said the changes now unfolding require decisive leadership, openness and a carefully managed transition that places patients, healthcare workers and the long-term interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands first.