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The Turks and Caicos Islands join in the celebrations of Caribbean Wellness Day

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 7th September 2023: Since 2007, CARICOM has declared the second Saturday in September to be Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD). Caribbean Wellness Day is a regional response to combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Observed annually, countries throughout the Caribbean celebrate by promoting activity and healthy lifestyles. This year, The Turks and Caicos Islands will not only be recognising CWD on 9th September but all week long!

In 2020, the five-year theme for CWD was announced to be ‘Power Through Collective Action’, and the sub-theme for 2023 is ‘The Care We Need: At Work, At School, At Home’. The objectives for CWD 2023 will be to:

  • Promote Policy Advocacy: advocate for policies at the institutional, national, and regional levels (via CARICOM) that would positively influence the practice of health promoting behaviours in Caribbean people.
  • Foster Wellness Initiatives: encourage the adoption of programmes and activities within workplaces and schools that promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental wellness and health seeking behaviours.
  • Address Health Barriers: promote strategies to reduce the barriers to adopting healthy behaviours on an individual and household level.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Shaun Malcolm commenting on CWD said, “While my Ministry advocates for healthy living each day, on this year’s Caribbean Wellness Day I wish to remind us all of the importance of prioritizing our health and well-being. Let’s practice healthy habits, stay active, and make positive choices for a happier and healthier life.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Raven Saunders, speaking on NCDs says, “As we celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day, I ask that we commit to the practices and policies that we know support the health and wellbeing of our Turks and Caicos Islanders. The prevalence of NCDs has been rising all over the Caribbean, and childhood obesity even more alarming. It is critical that we come together and reimagine a healthier and more active Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Director of the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit, Mrs. Aldora Robinson described some of the activities planned for the day, “There are walks organised for each island and we encourage individuals young and old to join the community walks on their respective islands on the 9th September. Together we can make Turks and Caicos a healthier nation”.

To help promote wellness, the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit (HPAU) will be celebrating Caribbean Wellness Day, all week long! Starting on Saturday, 2nd September the HPAU will be hosting a health and wellness symposium, and will end the week on Saturday, 9th September on CWD with an inter-island walk, and a cook-off in Grand Turk. Please see the schedule below, we encourage everyone to come out to celebrate health and wellness as a community.

Saturday, 9th September

  • Inter-Island Wellness Walk – Join your community in celebrating CWD by lacing up your sneakers and hitting the roads! Location and time TBA.
  • Men in the Galley Cook-Off – The much-anticipated event to bring awareness surrounding men’s health. Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk @ 2:00 pm.

Monday, 11th September  – Mental Health Monday – Take deep, conscious breaths to help reduce stress.

Tuesday, 12th September  – Take a Fruit Work/School Day Tuesday – We invite you to post a picture of your fruit and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Wednesday, 13th September – Drink Water Wednesday – We want you to show off how much water you drink in a day by posting a picture of you drinking water or your water bottle and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Thursday, 14th September – Sneaker Day Thursday – Exercise for at least 20 minutes, take a picture with your sneakers and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Thursday, 14th September – Health Symposium ‘My Health, My Priority’ – Beaches Resort conference room, 12 pm – 5 pm. All are welcome! Spots are limited, so please register beforehand using the link: https://forms.gle/QuHs6ufSEot6jzfB7

Friday, 15th September – Know Your Numbers Fridays – We encourage people to go to their respective health centres or pharmacies to get their blood sugar and blood pressure tested.

Happy Caribbean Wellness Day!

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Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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