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Cough syrup deaths prompt WHO to issues global call

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

 

 

February 6, 2023 – The World Health Organization is calling on countries to protect children from contaminated medicines after hundreds died in the Gambia and other countries from poorly made cough syrup.

It maintained that countries should strengthen their ability to prevent, detect and respond to incidents of substandard and falsified medical products following the deaths of over 300 children, most of them under 5 years old who were killed in 7 different countries because of poorly made medication last year.

The bad news started in the Gambia where doctors discovered the connection of an initial 60 child deaths to cough syrup made in India and teens had to run door to door to remove the product from homes lest anyone else falls victim. Still, the death toll rose to over 70.  Indonesia banned the medications completely only weeks after when 130 of their own children were killed by another brand of cough syrup.  In both cases, the deaths went on for months before doctors managed to catch the trend and investigate what was sending so many children to their graves.

“Since these are not isolated incidents.  WHO calls on various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action.”  The agency said.

Some of the cough syrups that caused deaths had toxic elements in them that should never be ingested including anti-freeze.

Hospitals, pharmacies, and medicine importers are now being put on alert by making sure their imports are coming from registered trustworthy dealers and keeping proper records of sales so unscrupulous persons who sell contaminated medication can be held for their sometimes deadly concoctions.

Government

Post Cabinet Report Renews Fisheries Applications

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Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 2nd meeting of Cabinet held on February 26th, 2025, at the Hon Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales. All members of the Cabinet were present.  

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Reviewed the TCIG 3rd Quarter Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Reviewed the Statutory Bodies 3rd Quarter Special Purpose Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Approved a Development Agreement for the Retreat Development Ltd.
  • Reviewed the National Health Insurance Board’s quarterly reports and agreed actions to address key risks.
  • Approved the appointment of Ms. Desericka Lightbourne as Secretary to the Credit Union Project Implementation Committee effective April 1, 2025.

Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:

    • PN005695, TR 24/27 Interior Design and Supply Furniture and Equipment
    • PN005811/TR 24/42 Works to Matthew Canal-Salt Cay       
  • Approved the draft variation to the Development Agreement over parcels 60900/291-325 and 327-362 to WACAL Holdings Ltd. Development.
  • Approved an amendment to the Immigration Protocol Document for the Hamilton Education Foundation Ltd.
  • Approved the following appointments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for a period of two years:
    • Dwayne Gardiner, Chairman
    • Gardvin Missick, Deputy Chairman
    • Godfrey Smith, Director
  • Approved settlement terms relating to a DECR matter.
  • Approved applications for Class A Processing and Export Licenses for the 2024-2025 year for Caicos Seafood Ltd.; Caicos Fisheries Ltd.; and Provo Seafood.

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

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Government

Swearing-in of the 30th Canadian Ministry led by Mark Carney, New Prime Minister

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Ottawa, ON, Canada, March 14, 2025 – Today, at a ceremony presided by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, at Rideau Hall, Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, was sworn in alongside members of the 30th Canadian Ministry.

This new, leaner, focused Cabinet includes returning ministers, seasoned leaders, and new voices who will bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the team as it delivers on the things that matter most to Canadians, such as strengthening Canada’s economy and security.

The new Cabinet is as follows:

  • Mark Carney, Prime Minister
  • Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
  • Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
  • François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance
  • Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
  • Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
  • Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
  • Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
  • Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
  • Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant
  • Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
  • Kamal Khera, Minister of Health
  • Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
  • Rechie Valdez, Chief Government Whip
  • Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families
  • David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  • Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
  • Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
  • Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
  • Arielle Kayabaga, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions
  • Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development
  • Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

This team reflects the ambition that makes Canada strong and it will work each day to protect workers, families, and businesses. It will take action to unite Canadians, defend Canada’s sovereignty in the face of unjustified trade actions by the United States, make Canada an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy, create new trade corridors with reliable partners, and build one Canadian economy – the strongest economy in the G7.

“This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country. We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster – and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work.”

The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, is the s 24th Prime Minister of Canada.  His cabinet is the 30th Canadian Ministry and consists of a total of 23 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister.  The Cabinet is the central decision-making forum in government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy. Its members are each responsible for individual portfolios or departments.

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Government

Frankira Forbes Appointed as Deputy Accountant General

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Island, 12th March 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Frankira Forbes as the Deputy Accountant General within the Financial Services and Supplies Management Department (Treasury) in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade.

Ms. Forbes possesses an impressive educational background, including an Associate of Arts Degree in Law and Criminal Justice from the University of the Bahamas, a Bachelor of Science Degree (1st Class Honours) in Finance Management from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a Master of Law (LL.M.) in Financial Law from the University of Law.  She is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Having joined the public service on March 15, 2021, Ms. Forbes has developed a robust foundation of experience within the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. She began her career as a Senior Finance Officer in the Accountant General’s Department and subsequently took on the role of Financial Manager within the Ministry of Health’s Contract Management Unit while at the same time pursuing her ACCA accreditation.  In addition to her public sector experience, Ms. Forbes has valuable private sector expertise, having served as Distribution and Recharge Manager and Store Manager at a local telecommunications company.

In the new role, Ms Forbes stated, “I am extremely humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Accountant General within the Financial Services and Supplies Management Unit under the Ministry of Finance, Trade, and Investment. It is truly a privilege to serve the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in this capacity. I remain focused, driven, and dedicated to executing the responsibilities of this role while collaborating with my team to ensure that the Financial Services and Supplies Management Unit, and, by extension, the Ministry of Finance, delivers on its key strategies. As Helen Keller once said, ‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

With confidence in my knowledge, skills, and management experience, alongside my tenacity and ability to learn and adapt quickly, I feel well-prepared for this next chapter in my career. I eagerly anticipate continued personal and professional growth, with the aspiration of joining the talented senior leadership team within the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Returning to the treasury family after achieving ACCA membership makes this journey even more special. It feels like coming home to continue the work I love alongside the team that has been part of my professional foundation.”

Meanwhile, H.E. Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Sector expressed her enthusiasm for Ms Forbes’ appointment, stating, “We are excited to welcome Ms Frankira Forbes to this critical role and are extremely proud of her accomplishments. Frankira’s work ethic is one to be admired, having recently successfully attained her Master’s Degree and subsequent ACCA qualification while performing full-time demanding roles in her previous roles in both the Treasury and the Contract Management Unit.  She will undoubtedly do well in this new role within the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade due to her exceptional skills and commitment to excellence.  I wish Ms. Forbes all the best as she embarks on this significant new chapter in her professional journey.

Congratulations, Ms. Forbes, on your well-deserved promotion!”

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