News
Opposition questions NHIP Patients’ Dissatisfaction; says there is Enough Money
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – The Opposition is asking serious questions regarding the National Health Insurance Plan following reported complaints from residents.
In a press release on Friday, Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, called on the PNP Government to immediately address reports of eviction and starvation from residents.
“I have been receiving many calls on the issue of persons who have been sent off on Treatment Abroad not receiving their subsistence pay, and many are facing additional hardship because of it. I am also being informed that there is a cash flow issue in NHIP and that the program has no money in the Bank. Patients have also indicated that there are many outstanding payments, which include previous subsistence payments,” he claimed.
Astwood says that’s not the only issue, noting that residents have been subject to humiliating displays because of these cash problems.
“Persons have also been informing my office of instances where our patients and their accompanying relatives were put out of hotels onto the streets for not having, and waiting on, the money to cover the time they were required to be in the countries of treatment. Other patients are saying that they had to continue calling different persons at home, pleading for money to be sent to avoid eviction and starvation,” He revealed.
Astwood, who held the Health portfolio in the former administration, broke down the cash that he says is being pumped into the NHIP which all islanders must contribute to by law. 
“With the passage of the 2023/24 Budget in May of this year, NHIP received $35,699,371 in subventions from the Turks and Caicos Government. Their projected revenue from private contributions was $36,929,429, contributions from the Government at $5,690,592, and when adding in all other fees, the total Income for NHIP was estimated at $79,507,006.
NHIP has to pay $34,515,537 of the above amount to InterHealth Canada for Clinical Services,” he continued.
“Overseas Treatment Medical expense is stated at $16,290, 470 for the year. Overseas Medical Travel is stated at $4,179,402 for the year, and air ambulance (Medivac) is stated at $1,000,000.
Overseas Subsistence is stated at $994,571 for the year, which is $137,217 LESS than the actual spent last year. From the numbers presented, there is no seeable reason why our unwell people should not be getting their money on time.”
In a recent heading of the Public Accounts Committee, NHIP representatives admitted that the TAP Program is a spot of confusion.
Christy Ferguson, Change Manager for Finance on the NHIB executive board said:
“With regard to the TAP program and— responsibility for the cost incurred, and being recognized on the NHIBs books, I too am of the opinion that clarity needs to be sought because on one end we have the NHIB managing and recognizing the cost on the books and, on one end we have legislation and other policy documents that are not necessarily consistent in their flow.”
Astwood also had strict words for the Finance and Health Ministers.
“The Hon. Ministers of Finance and Health must realize that Time always reveals all, and it gives me no pleasure to be right on this issue of health care because our people are dying at an alarming rate, and many from preventative disorders and curable ailments. Additionally, they are suffering consequences arising from not receiving their subsistence in a timely manner. “
He called on the government to explain the reports and maintained that ‘healthcare delayed is healthcare denied.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
