News
Delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services attends 61st Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 10 October 2024: At the 61st Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) held in Washington, D.C., from 30 September to 4 October 2024, the Ministry of Health and Human Services was represented by senior officials, including Permanent Secretary Mrs Desiree Lewis, Chief Medical Officer Dr Nadia Astwood, Director of Health Policy and Planning Mr Lynrod Brooks, and the Director of Aged-Care and Rehabilitation. These health leaders, along with Ministers of Health, public health experts, and other officials from other countries across The Americas, engaged in crucial discussions focused on improving regional health systems and addressing major public health challenges.
Key policy decisions during the council revolved around strengthening digital health frameworks and long-term care, aligning with global health goals such as disease elimination and health equity. Special emphasis was placed on telemedicine, plans for the eradication of diseases, including cervical cancer, and the development of sustainable health strategies. The event also focused on bolstering collaboration among member states to tackle shared health issues such as communicable diseases, chronic conditions and health emergencies.
Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, recently commented on the importance of the HEARTS initiative in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as a key strategy to combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). She highlighted that the rollout of this initiative is critical in addressing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, which are prevalent across the region. By focusing on strengthening primary healthcare and promoting healthier lifestyles, the HEARTS initiative aims to reduce the risk factors associated with these chronic diseases and improve overall health outcomes in the TCI.
In addition to the HEARTS initiative, Mrs Lewis emphasised the necessity of developing and implementing a comprehensive policy for the elderly. With an ageing population, the need for structured care and support systems for older individuals is becoming increasingly urgent. The policy would ensure that the elderly receive adequate care and protection, particularly in areas such as aged care services and rehabilitation. She stressed that addressing the needs of this vulnerable group is essential for ensuring equitable healthcare for all citizens.
The Ministry of Health is working closely with PAHO to draft a National Policy for Healthy Ageing and the launch of the ICOPE (Integrated Care of Older People) Registration Programme and Decade of Healthy Ageing. A series of consultations have already taken place and further engagements are scheduled for early November 2024. The first draft of the policy is expected to be ready by early next year, in line with the broader resolutions discussed at the council aimed at strengthening health systems, including long-term care and promoting equity.
The Ministry and PAHO are committed to continued consultations and collaborative efforts to ensure that the policy is inclusive, evidence-based, and capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by elderly populations.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
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
