Turks and Caicos Islands – March 23, 2026 – In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, observed March 8–14, 2026, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, operated by InterHealth Canada Ltd., proudly joined healthcare partners worldwide in advancing this year’s theme, “Team Up for Patient Safety.” The 2026 campaign emphasized the critical role of teamwork and reinforced the importance of collaboration among patients, families, care teams, and leadership in creating safer healthcare environments.

While globally observed as a week-long initiative, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital extended its activities throughout the entire month of March, underscoring that patient safety requires sustained commitment, continuous learning, and shared accountability.

A Month of Learning, Engagement, and Collaboration

Throughout March, the hospital hosted a series of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) sessions aimed at strengthening competencies and reinforcing a culture of safety across all levels of care. These included:

• Patient Safety – Your Role, empowering individuals to recognize and act on their impact on safety outcomes
• Effective Communication Strategies, focusing on delivering safe care through structured, reliable communication
• TeamSTEPPS – Reinforcement and Expansion, strengthening the use of evidence based teamwork tools to enhance care delivery

Grand Rounds sessions further supported clinical excellence and knowledge translation, featuring:

• Rescue Ready 2025: Translating AHA PALS Updates into Practice
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Roadmap for Caribbean Countries
• Beyond the Algorithm: Applying the latest American heart Association BLS & ACLS Guidance in Emergency Practice

To promote engagement and learning in an interactive format, a Patient Safety Trivia Event was also hosted. The event featured five dynamic rounds covering patient safety principles, general knowledge, and a TCI knowledge lightning round, with prizes awarded to the top five participants. In addition, we welcomed Grade 4 students to our Hospital Teddy Bear Clinic, which served as an innovative extension of our patient safety efforts. This initiative allowed children to role-play as caregivers by bringing their teddy bears for “treatment,” helping them understand basic healthcare processes such as first aid, hand hygiene, communication, and safe care practices. By introducing these concepts early, the clinic not only reduces fear associated with healthcare settings but also promotes awareness of patient safety behaviours in a simple, memorable way.

Reaffirming a Shared Commitment

A defining moment of the month was the symbolic passing of the Patient Safety Baton, reinforcing the collective responsibility for safe care:

“Patient safety is not one person’s responsibility. It is a commitment we share across teams, departments, organizations, and nations; and it is upheld in partnership with every patient and family we serve.”

Advancing the 2026 Patient Safety Objectives

Aligned with the global theme, the hospital’s initiatives focused on four strategic priorities:

• Promote Collaboration: Encouraging active participation from all members of the care team, including patients and families
• Enhance Communication: Strengthening open dialogue to improve understanding of care plans and safety protocols
• Recognize Achievements: Celebrating progress while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Engage Communities: Inspiring broader discussions on patient safety, equity, and quality in healthcare delivery

Acknowledgements

The Board of Directors and Executive Leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital extend sincere appreciation to all who participated in the month’s activities and contributed to the success and sustainability of this important initiative.

Special thanks are extended to our dedicated healthcare teams for their unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care; our video and production team for effectively amplifying key messages; our valued healthcare partners for their collaboration and support; and the leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands, including Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, the Honourable Premier, Charles Washington Misick and the Honourable Minister of Health, Kyle Knowles for their continued guidance and commitment to advancing patient safety nationally.

Building a Culture That Lasts

“Patient safety is not a solo effort, it is a collective commitment that defines the integrity of our healthcare system,” said Isha Honoré, Quality, Risk, Patient Safety and Management Lead at the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital. “Our responsibility is to design and sustain environments where teams are supported, patients are heard, and risks are proactively managed. Through sustained engagement beyond this month, we are advancing a culture of high reliability, where safety is consistently delivered, measured, and continuously improved.”

Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment, noting that patient safety remains central to the hospital’s mission and strategic direction. “Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do. This year’s theme, ‘Team Up for Patient Safety,’ reinforces a simple but powerful truth, safe care is achieved when we work together. At the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, we are committed to fostering a culture where collaboration, communication, and accountability guide every interaction. I am proud of our teams for their dedication throughout this month and beyond, as we continue to strengthen systems, empower our staff and patients, and deliver care that is consistently safe, reliable, and of high quality.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital remains dedicated to fostering a culture where safety is prioritized, communication is strengthened, and every voice, staff, patient, and family, is valued.

Healthcare professionals, community partners, patients, and families are encouraged to continue supporting patient safety by speaking up, staying informed, and working collaboratively to improve care outcomes.

March 19, 2026 – March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of prevention and early detection of one of the most common cancers affecting both men and women, according to the CDC.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and according to the CDC, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women.

The good news is there are ways to help prevent it, like improving your gut health.

“A healthy gut and a diverse microbiome help decrease inflammation, and chronic inflammation we know can lead to increased risk of cancer, specifically colorectal cancer,” explained Julia Zumpano, RD, registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic.

Zumpano said we can help improve our gut health by improving our diet.

She recommends eating foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

She also suggests adding fermented and probiotic foods into your diet. Some ideas include yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut.

Zumpano notes that it can be overwhelming to eat a bunch of new foods at once, which is why it’s best to make a gradual transition.

“I would first begin by reducing processed foods and incorporating more fiber rich foods. And you’ll see your gut symptoms improve. So, if you have any symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, those things should improve. Now if you’re finding that you’re having gastrointestinal symptoms that aren’t going away despite making positive health changes, that’s when you should seek medical attention,” she advised.

Besides keeping a healthy diet, Zumpano said it’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough physical activity as exercise has been shown to help reduce a person’s risk for colorectal cancer.

By focusing on small sustainable lifestyle changes such as eating a fiber-rich diet, supporting gut health and staying physically active, people can take meaningful steps toward lowering the risk of colorectal cancer and improving their overall health.

Santiago/Washington, D.C./Geneva, 4 March 2026 (PAHO/WHO) – The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas—and the second globally—to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.

Leprosy (Hansen disease) was historically recorded in Chile at the end of the 19th century on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The disease was limited in mainland Chile, with sporadic introductions, contained through isolation and treatment measures in the Island, where the last secondary cases were managed by the late 1990s.

Since then, Chile has not reported any locally acquired case of leprosy for more than 30 years, with the last locally acquired case detected in 1993. However, the disease was never removed from the country’s public health agenda; it has remained a notifiable condition, monitored through mandatory reporting, integrated surveillance, and continuous clinical readiness across the health system.

“This landmark public health achievement is a powerful testament to what leadership, science, and solidarity can accomplish,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Chile’s elimination of leprosy sends a clear message to the world: with sustained commitment, inclusive health services, integrated public health strategies, early detection and universal access to care, we can consign ancient diseases to history.”

The verification recognizes more than three decades of sustained public health action, robust surveillance, long-term political commitment, and a health system that has remained vigilant even in the absence of local transmission.

“Chile’s achievement demonstrates that eliminating leprosy is achievable and requires building strong systems that can detect, respond to, and provide comprehensive care for people affected by the disease, including those living with chronic disabilities,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “Being the first country in the Americas to be confirmed as eliminating leprosy sends a powerful message to the Region—that diseases strongly linked to groups living in vulnerable conditions can be eliminated, contributing to interrupt the vicious circle between disease and poverty.”

At the request of Chile’s Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO convened an independent expert panel in 2025 to assess whether elimination had been achieved and could be sustained over time. The panel conducted a thorough assessment, reviewing epidemiological data, surveillance mechanisms, case management protocols, and sustainability plans. Its findings confirmed the absence of local transmission and validated Chile’s capacity to detect and respond to future cases occurring among the non-autochthonous population.

“This is very good news and a source of great pride for our country. Chile has received verification of the elimination of leprosy disease, becoming the first country in the Americas and the second globally to achieve this recognition,” said Ximena Aguilera, Chile’s Minister of Health. “This milestone reflects decades of sustained public health efforts, including prevention strategies, early diagnosis, effective treatment, continuous follow-up, and the commitment of health teams across the country. It also reaffirms our responsibility to maintain active surveillance and ensure respectful, stigma-free care for all.”

Sustained training, surveillance and holistic care in a low-incidence setting

Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases nationwide, none of which were locally acquired.

Chile’s integrated model ensures early detection and comprehensive care: primary care centers serve as the entry point for suspected cases, with timely referrals to specialized dermatology services for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Clinicians receive training aligned with WHO’s Towards zero leprosy strategy. The system prioritizes early intervention, disability prevention, and holistic care, including physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, ensuring that anyone affected by leprosy receives continuous support for both acute and long-term health needs to promote full recovery and social inclusion.

A milestone for the Region of the Americas

Chile’s accomplishment paves the way for other nations, illustrating the impact of political will, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptive planning in low-incidence settings.

Since 1995, PAHO, in coordination with WHO, has provided multidrug therapy (MDT) free of charge to countries in the Americas, including Chile. This uninterrupted access to treatment, combined with national supply systems, has been essential to curing patients, preventing disability, and interrupting transmission.

PAHO has also supported Chile in aligning surveillance with international standards, strengthening laboratory capacity, and maintaining clinical expertise in a low-incidence context, where many health professionals may never encounter a case during their careers.

Ensuring access and coverage for everyone

Chile’s elimination of leprosy has been achieved within a broader legal and social framework that protects human rights, promotes inclusion, and prevents discrimination. National legislation guarantees equal access to health care, social protection, and disability services, ensuring that people affected by leprosy receive care without stigma or exclusion.
Chile’s mixed public–private health system, with strong regulatory oversight, further strengthens equitable access, including for migrants and other vulnerable populations.

Sustaining elimination

Aligned with WHO’s Towards zero leprosy strategy and PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, Chile’s experience demonstrates that elimination is not defined solely by the absence of disease, but by a sustained health system capable of detecting, responding to, and providing holistic care whenever a case appears.

Moving into the post-elimination phase, Chile is encouraged to continue reporting to WHO, maintain sensitive surveillance, and ensure that clinical expertise is retained for future sporadic cases as well as any cases acquired outside the country. The verification panel also recommended formally designating a referral centre and leveraging WHO Academy’s online training for health workers and staff, strengthening long-term capacity and preparedness.