PAHO/WHO Representative for Bahamas and TCI and Technical Team Conduct Official Visit to the TCI

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 15 April 2025: The Ministry of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of an official three-day visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands by a technical team from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Office in The Bahamas, held from 8 -10 April 2025.

The visiting delegation included:

• Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Dr. Anton Best, PAHO/WHO Advisor for Health Systems and Services.
• Dr. Sasha Peiris, PAHO/WHO Advisor for Communicable Diseases Control and Elimination.

During the visit, the team engaged in a series of high-level meetings with the Hon. Minister of Health and Human Services, the Acting Permanent Secretary of Health and Human Services, and senior officials from various departments and units within the Ministry of Health and Human Services. Meetings were convened in both Grand Turk and Providenciales. The delegation also visited Cockburn Town Medical Center, where they toured the facility, including the Primary Health and Dental Departments and interacted with staff.

The highlight of the visit was the recognition from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of the Turks and Caicos Islands for its exceptional efforts in the surveillance, prevention, and control of respiratory viruses over the past ten years. The country was awarded for its collaboration with the Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Network (SARINET) and the REVELAC-1 network. This recognition highlights the islands’ leadership in early detection, prevention strategies, and effective outbreak control, underscoring the importance of global partnerships in addressing future health challenges.

The primary objectives of the visit were to:

• Identify and reach consensus on common strategic priorities and focus areas for PAHO’s Technical Cooperation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Discuss the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of key programme areas under the PAHO Biennial Work Plan 2024–2025.
• Align strategic objectives with one or more of the nine (9) targets under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” as well as other health-related SDG targets.
• Provide technical updates and support on ongoing health projects and programme initiatives, and those planned for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Speaking on the significance of the visit and the award, the Hon. Kyle Knowles Minister of Health and Human Services, stated:

“We are extremely pleased to welcome our partners from PAHO to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening our local health system and improving the well-being of our people. We are honoured to receive this award in recognition of our decades-long collaboration with PAHO, which has been instrumental in advancing key health initiatives across our islands. Through continued partnership, we remain committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality health system for all.”

This mission forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to foster strong partnerships with PAHO/WHO and other regional stakeholders. These partnerships continue to play a vital role in the development and execution of key health policies, strategies, and plans that aim to enhance the health and well-being of all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Header:  MOH team Grand Turk L-R (Ms. Crivanne Adams, Ms. Betty Ann Been, Ms. Leanne Sills, Dr Alicia Malcolm, Ms. Kendra Malcolm. Dr Astwood, Dr Camelia Clarke, Dr Eldonna Boisson, Mr. Andre Morgan, Dr Janice Baron, Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Dr Sasha Peiris, Dr Sasha Walrond, Dr Anton Best, Nurse Jackurlyn Sutton.

1st insert: Hon. Minister of Health and Human Services Kyle Knowles, Dr Eldonna Boisson

2nd insert: CMO Dr Astwood and PWR Dr Eldonna Boisson