Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2025 – In one of the largest health-focused budget allocations in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) history, Minister of Health and Human Services, Kyle Knowles, outlined a sweeping vision for public health during his presentation in the 2025 Budget Debate. With over $107.9 million committed to recurrent and capital health spending—18% of the national budget—Knowles emphasized that this investment is both strategic and transformative.
“This is one of the biggest budgets ever spent in a single year in these Turks and Caicos Islands on healthcare,” said Minister Knowles. “The generous allocation in successive budgets is a clear indication of how this government takes the wellbeing of our people seriously.”
A cornerstone of the health ministry’s capital investment is the expansion of in-country diagnostic capabilities through a $100,000 injection into the National Public Health Laboratory. Currently offering limited testing, the lab will now be enhanced to deliver faster results and reduce the need to send samples abroad. “There are situations which require immediate results,” said Knowles. “This will minimize the wait time and enable our technical team to provide swifter guidance to policy-makers.”
Addressing the needs of the nation’s aging population, the Minister announced a $900,000 allocation to construct an aged care center in North and Middle Caicos. This long-awaited facility is expected to fill a critical gap in elder care services and provide dignified support to seniors in those communities.
On the frontlines of preventive care, the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit will also see operational support. A new $55,000 vehicle will enable greater community outreach, allowing health teams to deliver education and early intervention programs across more remote areas.
Healthcare infrastructure remains a top priority, with Knowles highlighting the upcoming construction of a modern polyclinic in Providenciales. Designed to house advanced diagnostic equipment and provide streamlined services, the facility will elevate the nation’s capacity for disease surveillance and clinical efficiency. “This will enhance our national surveillance capacity, efficiency, and patient outcomes,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to equitable access, Knowles declared that healthcare in the TCI must reflect the values of affordability, innovation, and sustainability. “We will create a healthcare system where every resident has access to high-quality, affordable care. Our healthcare workers will be empowered, and the well-being of our people will remain at the center of our development agenda.”
The total $105.8 million in recurrent health expenditure will support personnel, health programs, and service delivery across all islands, while $2.2 million in capital projects will fund critical infrastructure upgrades and new services.
Knowles concluded his remarks by recognizing the link between a thriving nation and a healthy population. “As we face the future and the great possibilities that the growing TCI economy has to offer, we need a healthy population,” he said. “Quality healthcare is not just a privilege—it is a right.”
This budget signals a new era in health for the Turks and Caicos Islands, reinforcing the government’s unwavering commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and responsive healthcare system for all.
