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Ministry of Health and Human Services Represents Turks and Caicos Islands at WELL 2025 Smart Hospital Symposium, Bucaramanga, Colombia – May 28–30, 2025

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Friday, 6 June 2025 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly participated in the WELL 2025 Smart Hospital Symposium, an innovative global event where artificial intelligence (AI), hospital innovation, and patient-centered care converge to shape the future of healthcare.

The Turks and Caicos Islands were represented by a distinguished delegation comprising:

  • The Honourable Mr. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services
  • Mrs. Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary, Health
  • Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer
  • Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director, Health Policy and Planning
  • Ms. Florinda Gardiner, Manager, Contract Management Unit

Mrs. Marah Smith, Head of Secretariat4Hosted in Bucaramanga, Colombia, this exclusive symposium gathered over 250 esteemed national and international experts for a dynamic agenda of keynote lectures, interactive forums, and practical workshops. Participants also engaged in guided technical visits and observed operational smart clinics, offering a firsthand experience of the latest innovations revolutionizing healthcare delivery.

The symposium featured forward-thinking sessions on topics such as:

  • Fifty More Years of Life: Technology and Health for a Long-Lasting Future
  • AI in Action: Accelerating the Future of Healthcare
  • The Future of Health: Innovation with AI and Cutting-Edge Analytics
  • Selfies for Health: The New Frontier of Vital Sign Assessment with AI
  • AI and the Future of Mankind
  • Ethics in the Era of AI
  • Business, Science, and Technology in the Healthcare Revolution
  • Leveraging AI for Next-Generation Medical Platforms
  • From Idea to Revolution: Innovation and AI in Healthcare
  • Transforming Healthcare: Innovations in Smart Hospitals
  • From Big Data to Medical Precision: The New Era of Innovation
  • Interoperability and Telemedicine for a World Without Distances

The Honourable Minister of Health and Human Services, Kyle Knowles stated that “Our participation in WELL 2025 reflects our vision to position the Turks and Caicos Islands at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the region. The advancements in artificial intelligence and smart hospital technologies presented here have reaffirmed our commitment to modernizing our health systems. We are actively exploring how these transformative tools can be adapted to enhance patient care, strengthen health infrastructure, and build resilience across our healthcare sector. The insights gained will inform our strategic planning and guide the future of healthcare delivery in the TCI.”

Looking Ahead

The Ministry’s engagement in WELL 2025 is part of its broader commitment to health sector reform and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, access, and outcomes. Leveraging the knowledge and partnerships developed at this global forum, the Ministry is better positioned to pursue a bold and modern vision for healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Ministry’s participation in WELL 2025 reflects its ongoing commitment to embracing innovative, technology-driven approaches to healthcare transformation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The insights and collaborations from this symposium will inform future strategic planning and support the modernization of health services across the territory.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

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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

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News

Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

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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

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Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

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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

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