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Oral Health Month is October  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – October 7, 2024: The Turks and Caicos Islands Government Dental Department within the Ministry of Health and Human Services will celebrate its annual Oral Health Month throughout October. The theme for this year’s observance: ‘Healthy Gums Look Good on You,’ was chosen to heighten awareness of the importance of having healthy teeth and gums.

The main focus during the month will be periodontal gum disease, which is the root cause affecting gum health. Periodontal disease is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues, including the gums surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), the gums may be swollen or red and bleed easily.  If this progresses, teeth can become shaky and will eventually fall out as the bone supporting the teeth is gradually eroded away.

Gum disease is very intrusive and progresses rapidly, depending on severity, extent, and underlying cause. Periodontal gum disease has a very high prevalence in the Turks and Caicos Islands affecting all ages; however, it is most prevalent in the elderly, more particularly in older men. Early detection and prevention of periodontal gum disease through oral health education and promotion, preventative intervention, and inter-professional collaboration are key to developing healthy oral habits.

Join us and help participate in the main activities of focus during the month of October 2024:

  1. Opening of Oral Health Month church service.
  2. Free dental treatments collaborated with Ministry of Health and Human Services, Sandals Foundation and Great Shape Inc. (A Professional Voluntary Dental Organisation).
  3. Dental health education, examination and dental screening.
  4. Free Walk-In Dental Cleaning Day
  5. School visits
  6. Oral health displays in clinics
  7. Prison, SNAP Center, Geriatric Home, All Girls Home, and Wellness Center visit
  8. Radio talk show – Health Matters

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm, commented, “Our smiles are a window to our health. This Oral Health Month, let’s take small steps together—brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups—that can make a big difference. A healthy mouth means a healthier you, and everyone deserves that.”

At the end of this oral health month, we hope the public will be more knowledgeable and better prepared to identify and seek all available treatments for periodontal gum disease. Healthy gums enhance an individual’s confidence in living, working, and social life and can improve individual self-esteem. Health is a universal right!

The Government Dental Department invites members of the public to get involved during our month of activities. Remember to brush and floss daily, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking and tobacco products. Reduce sugary drinks; choose water instead, and visit your dental professionals at least twice yearly.

Lastly, remember to smile a lot because “HEALTHY GUMS LOOK GOOD ON YOU!”

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

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Health

Polio Milestone remembered as region increases vaccine coverage

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Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

 

 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the certification of the eradication of wild polio virus transmission in the Region of the Americas.

In 1975, the region reported nearly 6,000 cases of polio.

However, thanks to child vaccination and sustained surveillance implemented by Governments with the support of PAHO and partners, the last case of wild polio virus was detected in September 1991 in Peru.

In 1994, the region was certified as free of this disease.

“Achieving a milestone like this is not easy. It involves a lot of work, commitment, and tenacity from thousands of health workers, researchers, partners, and all the people responsible for vaccinating their children,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said.

However, Dr Barbosa warned about the persistence of poliovirus in other parts of the world. “Until we eradicate the poliovirus globally, we must maintain high vaccination coverage and adequate surveillance to detect any imported cases,” he emphasised.

Polio is a highly contagious disease that affects the central nervous system, causing acute flaccid paralysis. Although most infections are asymptomatic, in 1 in 200 cases, the virus can cause permanent paralysis in the legs or arms. Globally, polio cases have declined by more than 99 per cent since 1988, when an estimated 350,000 cases were reported in more than 125 endemic countries.

There are now just two endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the poliovirus does not respect borders and can find groups of unvaccinated or under-immunized children, which could lead to outbreaks. Dr Barbosa highlighted the impact of immunisation programmes in controlling and eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases and emphasised the continued support of governments and partners, such as Rotary International and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite the progress, the PAHO Director mentioned that misinformation and distrust, along with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, “continue to affect vaccination coverage in some areas and populations” in the region.

In 2023, 87 per cent of children in the Americas had received the third dose of the polio vaccine necessary for full immunization, a recovery from 83 per cent in 2022, but still below the recommended coverage rate. To prevent the reintroduction of the virus, “it is essential to continue working to achieve sustained coverage of more than 95 per cent uniformly in each country,” Dr Barbosa remarked.

On rare occasions, in under-immunised populations, the live attenuated virus originally contained in the oral polio vaccine can mutate and become a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. This virus, as it replicates in the gastrointestinal tract, can spread through faeces and sewage, circulating in the environment, and exposing unvaccinated individuals, who are susceptible to contracting polio.

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Bahamas News

Government Breaks Ground on Palmetto Point Advanced Health Centre

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The Bahamas, November 6, 2024 – The Honourable Dr. Michael R. Darville, Minister of Health & Wellness, joined by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Honourable Philip Davis and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, the Honourable Clay Sweeting, officially broke ground today on the Palmetto Point Advanced Health Centre. This groundbreaking represents a critical investment in the expansion of healthcare services throughout the archipelago.

This Advanced Health Centre will cover approximately 14,500 square feet on a four-acre site and hold the main health centre inclusive of a modern surgical suite and recovery wards, an attached morgue, medical waste building and emergency services quarters. With features such as hurricane-impact windows and doors, handicap accessibility and EDGE certification for sustainability this Centre is designed to meet the present and future healthcare needs of the community.

Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of the project stating, “This groundbreaking reinforces our commitment to equitable healthcare across The Bahamas, aligning with our vision outlined in our Blueprint of Change.”   

Minister Darville expressed, “This event is about more than constructing a building, it is about delivering on our commitment to improve the health and well-being of our people.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by healthcare professionals, government officials and stakeholders who contributed to the project’s development. Similar to the new Mangrove Cay Clinic, which broke ground on October 16, 2024, the Palmetto Point Advanced Health Centre is expected to be completed within 15 months of the contractor’s mobilization.

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Health

Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, in Partnership with PAHO, Launches Training to Improve Cardiovascular and Mental Health Care

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PRESS RELEASE

 

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES 

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 29th October 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Bahamas Office, has launched a transformative initiative to enhance healthcare across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). This joint training, held from October 21st – 25th, 2024, at the Hamilton Education Foundation in Providenciales, gathered over 30 healthcare professionals from both the public and private sector, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionist, representatives from TCI Hospital, representatives from Anguilla, and virtual participants from across the TCI.

The interactive training covered two vital programs: the HEARTS Quality Improvement (QI) initiative and the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). The HEARTS QI initiative, supported by WHO through PAHO, aims to improve cardiovascular care by equipping TCI’s primary healthcare providers with tools for high-quality cardiovascular disease (CVD) management, ultimately enhancing outcomes for heart disease patients. Concurrently, the mhGAP program prepares frontline workers to assess and address mental health needs, an increasingly critical service amid rising mental health challenges worldwide.

The training was facilitated by PAHO advisors Dr. Claudina Cayetano, Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, and Dr. Gloria Giraldo. Medical Officers Dr. Samantha Barrett-Palmer and Dr. Jomo Laidlow from Primary Health Care presented an overview of TCI’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs) status and Turks and Caicos Islands Clinical Pathway. This training was designed to equip healthcare providers to deliver standardized, high-quality care with a strong focus on underserved communities.

Honourable Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D Malcom, expressed dedication to strengthening TCI’s healthcare system, emphasizing the ministry’s focus on disease prevention and accessible treatment:

“Our collaboration with PAHO on the HEARTS and mhGAP initiatives is a critical step toward comprehensive, quality care tailored to community needs. By equipping healthcare professionals with the right skills, we are actively improving patient outcomes and building a compassionate and effective health system.”

The HEARTS QI and mhGAP rollout represents a significant step in healthcare in the Caribbean, offering a scalable model for regional public health enhancement.

Through these initiatives, the TCI and PAHO are prioritizing healthcare quality and supporting primary healthcare providers in their mission to improve health outcomes. The Ministry of Health is grateful to PAHO for facilitating this timely joint mission at this critical time.

For further information on the HEARTS initiative, mhGAP, or the Ministry’s work with PAHO, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

Left to Right – Dr Alicia Malcolm, Director Behavioral Health Services, Dr Claudina Cayetano- PAHO Regional Advisor for Mental Health, Hon. Shaun D Malcolm-Minister of Health and Human Services and Dr Gloria Giraldo PAHO Advisor, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

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