News
World Health Day- “Our Planet, Our Health”
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2022 – World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7th. “In the face of the current pandemic, a polluted planet, and an increasing incidence of diseases, the theme for World Health Day 2022 is Our Planet, Our Health. This call from PAHO, the WHO, and partners, presents a unique opportunity for a green and healthy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, that puts the health of individuals and the planet at the center of actions and fosters a movement to create societies focused on well-being” (Pan American Health Organization).
The Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit would like to encourage everyone to be more aware of the impact we make on the planet as individuals. Each of us can make a decision to positively or negatively impact our environment. We must think about the future generations to come, and what will become of our planet if we dump waste indiscriminately, recklessly cut down trees, litter our beaches and streets, dump chemicals into our water streams…
The World Health Organization has emphasized that non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, have collectively contributed to over 70% of all deaths globally, an alarming 41 million people! Of this 41 million, 15 million of the deaths were of persons between 30 and 69.
The Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson, in his remarks regarding World Health Day stated that “The Turks and Caicos Islands are at risk of more frequent hurricanes of increased intensities, simply due to environmental threats of climate change, contributed by human impacts. Flooding from increased rainfall can be intensified due to littering and indiscriminate dumping of waste in our oceans or locations near to our water courses that eventually end up in our seas. Diseases in our communities are rising due to physical inactivity, instances of alcohol abuse and unhealthy diets.”
Hon. Robinson also encouraged the people of Turks and Caicos “to keep our environment clean and take pride in our surroundings by not littering, use the bins are nearby, take your waste back to your vehicle for discarding at home if waste bins are not available outdoors. Engage in walking, riding your bike, swimming, to increase your physical movements. Get your blood pressure and blood sugar tested frequently. Eat less processed food and more fruits, vegetables and ground foods.”
The Minister reiterated that “The TCI is beautiful by nature and it is our responsibility to ensure our beautiful environment is protected and preserved, not just for our generation but the generations to come!”
In commemoration of World Health Day, the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit would like to remind everyone that our health and our planet are our responsibility. We can make simple lifestyle changes that can collectively cause a significant positive impact in our country and in the world.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2023 – On April 1st, the second round of increases on contributions at the National Insurance Board will kick in for the Turks and Caicos workforce. Announced last year, the increases were instituted to keep the NIB from running out of money by 2027 as it services a population that is living longer with contributions that had not been increased in 30 years.
As the Government’s new financial year begins, increases at NIB will mean a higher cost for doing business and a higher cost for running the Government.
The private sector is expected to pay contributions at a rate of 11 percent on your taxable income. The hike is up from last year’s 10 per cent; six percent of which is to be paid by the Employer and five percent is to be paid by the
Employee. For wages of $2000, this will mean a $200 improvement in income per month to the NIB. As for the burn on residents’ pockets, based on a minimum wage of $1200 monthly salary, that’s at least $60 dollars a month and $720 per year.
Public sector rates will move to 10.15 percent up from 9.15 per cent with the worker paying 4.575 per cent and the Government paying 5.575 per cent; that’s $54 a month and $648 a year at minimum wage.
The NIB rate as of April 1, 2023, will jump to 9 percent for self-employed individuals; For self-employed individuals at minimum wage, that is $108 dollars a month or $1296 per year.
As taxable incomes increase so will the contribution.
The increases follow a 2019 Actuarial review, undertaken every three years, which unearthed that the NIB was facing a dismal future, possible collapse. Contribution rates were growing at a rate much slower than NIB expenses, which included beneficiary payouts. On that trajectory, the NIB’s earnings would be eclipsed by its income by 2027, forcing the worker protection plan to draw down on money saved for economic shocks like Covid-19.
Unsurprisingly, this was deemed untenable, and an immediate increase was recommended.
Despite this scramble to boost earnings, the NIB has simultaneously increased payouts. Payouts for pensions, funeral grants, maternity grants and more will all attract bigger sums.
These incremental increases on contributions and payouts were all consultant recommendations, informed statements from the Board.
Bahamas News
Work of NAECOB critical in ensuring high standards in education, says Minister Hanna-Martin
“We’re the Ministry of Education and they’re our schools. We are accountable to NAECOB. They ensure that what is happening on the campuses throughout the nation meets the physical standards and the qualitative standards of education. You would have heard classroom size and teacher/student ratio. We may have challenges, and we do at the Ministry of Education but when these issues are brought to our attention we are obliged and compelled to seek resolution to ensure that the standards are met.
the criteria to offer an educational service in The Bahamas as outlined in the Education Act. She said it is mandatory that all educational institutions/provider offering/proposing to offer an educational service in the Bahamas must be registered according to the NAECOB Act and the Education Act.BIS Photos/Mark Ford
Header: Seated at the table, from left: – Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin; Dominique McCartney Russell, Acting Director; Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer; Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson; Howard Newbold, Inspector, Council Member; Shena Williams, Council and Inspector; Dorothy Anderson, Inspector; T. Nicola McKay, Deputy Chairperson; (seated behind) Willard Barr, Council and Inspector.
1st insert: Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson
2nd insert: Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member
3rd insert: The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training
4th insert: Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer
#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – As the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence approaches, Bahamians everywhere are teeming with excitement and expectancy around the year-long celebrations set by The National
Independence Secretariat.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister joined H.E Leslia Miller Brice, Chair of The National Independence Secretariat to unveil the Calendar of Events for the 50th Independence celebrations.
The calendar comprises a host of events, initiatives and recommendations for celebrations throughout all 33 islands of The Bahamas.
At this jubilant occasion the PM stated, “Celebrating independence is about acknowledging the greatness around us, the greatness within us, and the greatness ahead of us.
We are Bahamians. That identity is special.”
View the newly released calendar of events here:
-
Caribbean News6 days agoTCI Moving to Catch Up in Clean Energy Race, attends CDB Conference
-
Health7 days agoChikV is back! The Americas see sharp increase and nearly 100 deaths
-
Uncategorized1 week agoBanks fail, causing ripple effects but what of the Turks & Caicos banking security
-
Uncategorized3 days agoLifting of COVID Vaccine Mandate is ‘Game Changer’ for Tourism & Real Estate says Christie’s
-
Uncategorized5 days agoUton Graham, Bars Manager at BTC masters his mix with training the next generation
-
Uncategorized5 days agoBTC Celebrates International Women’s Day, Embrace Equity
-
Uncategorized5 days agoUnited States Works to Combat Gun Trafficking in the Caribbean Region
-
Uncategorized7 days agoCarnival Cruises hits 100 Million Visitors