Gov’t Commits to Funds in Row over Health Snacks at Hospitals

Dana Malcolm 

Staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 14, 2023 – A breakdown in communication between InterHealth Canada and the TCI Government worked to the detriment of patients recently as the two agencies squabble over who should pay for snacks and the result is a stipend package for a select group.

The Government never received a copy of the controversial letter notifying of the suspension of food for the 61 dialysis patients, according to Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services speaking during a press event on September 05.

Significant public discourse was sparked after the letter was shared in the public domain, indicating that InterHealth Canada would suspend the provision of meals as the Government had refused to pay for them.

It’s unclear why the TCIG allowed the issue to balloon to the point where patients were directly affected but Malcolm says he found out about the suspension through the media.

InterHealth Canada explained their decision in the letter.

“Earlier this Summer TCIG advised InterHealth Canada that the costs associated with the provision of dietary supplements to dialysis patients, are not clinical costs and should not be included in our invoices to TCIG until TCIG approved a formal Proposal including relevant and detailed information on the costs involved. With regret, we have to tell you that we have received a letter from the TCI advising that after reviewing the Project Agreement and the Proposal, they have reached the decision to reject our request.”

It was signed by Denise Braitwaite Tennant, CEO of the TCI Hospital.

“Without seeking the proper approval from the Turks and Caicos Government, InterHealth Canada has historically charged TCIG for meals provided to the dialysis patients,” was Malcolm’s defense in the press conference.

He did not address accusations by the Hospital that TCIG had refused to pay for the meals.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has now committed to continue providing the cash for dialysis patients to get a meal after their treatment and insists they have always been the ones covering this cost.

“The Government is working to ensure that meals are provided to patients and I can assure you that it remains the intention to continue paying for the meals as necessary,” Malcolm said.

They’re also committing to providing a stipend for dialysis patients until the issue is sorted.