The Twin Island Primary Health Care Team hosts 2nd annual Women’s Health Conference  

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 22 November 2024: The annual Twin Island Women’s Health Conference, held under the theme Her Health: Revitalising the Whole Woman, was a resounding success, with strong attendance and enthusiastic participation from community members. This year’s conference addressed women’s health holistically, combining physical, financial, and social well-being topics into a dynamic, informative day. Attendees enjoyed interactive discussions, expert presentations, and an extensive resource fair, all aimed at providing tools and knowledge to empower women.

 Conference highlights and key sessions included:

 Panel Discussion on Menopause

One of the most anticipated sessions was the interactive panel discussion on Menopause, led by Dr. Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit, Dr. Jadetra Ingraham, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Nursing Officer Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton. The session covered the biological, psychological, and social aspects of menopause.

Financial Strategies

Mrs. Sophia Thomas led an insightful session on Financial Strategies for Success. She provided participants with practical financial advice, covering topics such as creating and maintaining a budget, investing and saving.

Presentation on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer

Dr. Kendra Gardiner-Hall delivered a powerful presentation on HPV and Cervical Cancer. Key topics included “Understanding HPV and prevention” – its transmission, and the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in reducing cervical cancer risks. During her presentation she highlighted the importance of screening where she emphasised the value of regular Pap smears and HPV tests, which are crucial for early detection and intervention. The impact for some was immediate and one attendee chose to take the HPV vaccine offered by the resident public health nurse.

Disaster Preparedness

Mr. Jameel Huggins led an informative presentation on Disaster Preparedness, where he discussed the crucial role women play in disaster preparedness at home and in the community. He provided practical tips on household disaster planning, where attendees learned about creating emergency plans and preparing resources to ensure family safety during natural disasters. He encouraged women to engage in community-level disaster planning and highlighted local resources available through DDME.  His presentation empowered attendees to take an active role in disaster preparedness, fostering a sense of resilience and responsibility within the community.

An extensive resource fair complemented the conference, providing attendees with access to a range of health-related information and services. We wish to thank all participating departments for their invaluable contribution:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit
• Ministry of Health and Human Services Dental Unit
• Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME)
• TCI Cancer Society
• Dignity Foundation
• Ministry of Health and Human Services Environmental Health Department

For additional information, please visit the MoHHS’ Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth).