Health
Hundreds Treated in First Ever Sandals Foundation, Beaches Resorts, Great Shape! Inc’s 1000 Smiles Dental Clinic
#TurksandCaicos, October 26, 2021 – Hundreds of people have been excitingly lining up outside the Church of God of Prophecy in Five Cays eager to meet with and be treated by an incredible team of dentists and other medical professionals at the island’s first ever 1000 Smiles Dental Clinic.
The programme, which provides access to free first-class dental care and education, is operated by the United States-based non-profit, Great Shape! Inc. and is being facilitated by the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) which operates Beaches Resorts – the Sandals Foundation.
Since its opening day on Monday, October 15, approximately 700 people have benefitted from fillings, cleanings, extractions, root canals, sealants, dentures and more from a team of 60 Great Shape! Inc. volunteers.
Joseph Wright, Founding Executive Director of Great Shape! Inc. says, “We are thrilled to launch the 1000 Smiles Project in Turks and Caicos Islands, 18 years after our first project in Negril, Jamaica! The Covid-19 pandemic has severely disabled the governments’ ability to provide routine dental care in the countries we work in. So we are finding that after nearly 2 years, the need for dental care is acute.”
In the Turks and Caicos,” Wright continued, “The story is the same. The lines are long and the people are so incredibly grateful. With the help of Sandals Foundation, the 1000 Smiles Project launch in Turks and Caicos has been remarkably smooth and successful despite the many challenges we’ve face in these unique times.”
Clinics are open daily 8:30 to 4:30 with its operations carefully following Covid-19 safety protocols and guidelines.
To date, the teams have enjoyed the notable visits from members of the local communities including the Minister of Education and elected representative for the Five Cays District, Hon. Rachel Taylor. Hon Taylor was able to meet with the volunteer team and discuss the potential of future programs in partnership with Great Shape! Inc. and Sandals Foundation.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation was elated to see the turnout of families, noting that increasing access to healthcare services is a key component of the philanthropic organization’s work in improving the lives of the region’s people.
“We are beyond pleased to see the expansion of the 1000 Smiles dental programme into the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands. Healthy people make healthy communities and as a Caribbean organization, we are fully committed to doing what we can to invest in the long term development of the region’s health sector and services”.
“These past eighteen months have been tough for families across the world,” continued Clarke, “We are very conscious of the toll this pandemic has had on families being able to meet some of their very basic needs. Good oral health reduces the risk of developing other serious diseases and so through these clinics, we just really want to help as many people as possible take care of one of the most important health investments they could make,” Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation.
The Sandals Foundation Great Shape! Inc. dental programme has been a staple across the Caribbean since 2003, operating in the islands of Jamaica, St. Lucia and Grenada.
Here in Turks and Caicos Islands, mission volunteers are all being hosted at the Beaches Resorts with logistical, infrastructural and staff support covered by the hotel’s philanthropic arm.
Photo Captions:
Header: Volunteer Dentist hard at work performing procedures
1st insert: Great Shape! Inc. Volunteer Leader, Kevon Williams and Beaches Turks & Caicos Team Member, Quinique Cartwright
2nd insert: Dental Clinic at the Church of God of Prophecy, Five Cays
Health
Successful Community Kidney Screening Events Hosted by InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital and Ministry of Health and Human Services in Grand Turk and Salt Cay
(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 19th, 2024): – InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Community Kidney Screening Events held in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. These events marked a significant milestone in promoting kidney health awareness and early detection.
On April 12, 2024, on Grand Turk (Dillon Hall) and April 13, 2024, on Salt Cay (Ministry of Health Clinic), participants had the opportunity to receive immediate screening results and personalized guidance from dedicated healthcare professionals. The collaborative effort between InterHealth Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services empowered individuals to prioritize their kidney health and take proactive steps towards well-being.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO of InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, shared, “We are happy to see the positive impact of the Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. By providing accessible screenings and expert guidance by our clinical teams, including our nephrologist and internist, we equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their kidney health.”
Similarly, Dr Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “These events have showcased the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining optimal kidney health.”
The support of sponsors, including the TCI Boating Club, Air and Sea Agency, The Olympic Group Limited, Flow and Digicel, played a crucial role in the success of the Community Kidney Screening Events.
InterHealth-Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are excited to announce that a series of Kidney Community Screenings with dates for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos will be revealed soon, further extending the impact of this important initiative.
The Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay have set a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to prioritize kidney health and well-being within the community. Together, we are taking proactive steps towards building a healthier future for all.
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.
This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.
Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.
These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.
In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.
In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”
The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.
Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”
Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.
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