Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, June 30, 2026 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) has secured a landmark partnership with Caribbean Health Insurance (CHI), a product of Bee Insurance Corp, giving tourism businesses across the destination access to health coverage of up to USD 500,000 per employee.

The official signing ceremony, hosted by Beaches Turks and Caicos, capped months of work led by the TCHTA Membership Committee to identify a reputable provider capable of helping to fill a critical coverage gap in the hospitality sector.

The launch also marks a timely and significant private-sector solution to a growing healthcare coverage concern following the Government’s recent announcement that work permit holders would no longer have access to the NHIB Treatment Abroad Program – a change that left many employees across the tourism sector, and beyond it, without the usual pathway to specialized medical care outside the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TCHTA President James McAnally said the agreement is a critical step in supporting the people who power the country’s leading industry.

“Our industry depends on people, and when something as important as access to care is affected, we have a responsibility to seek practical solutions,” said McAnally. “This partnership with Caribbean Health Insurance gives our members a comprehensive and affordable option for their teams. It is also an example of the role the TCHTA plays in advocating, responding, and creating avenues that support the sustainability of our sector.”

The Caribbean Health Insurance plan offers two tiers, CORAL and PEARL Elite, providing coverage of USD 300,000 and USD 500,000 respectively, with the PEARL plan including air ambulance service. Both grant policyholders access to a growing network of hospitals and specialists in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, with Jamaica expected to join the network later this year. Coverage includes telemedicine, bilingual patient support, and features a zero-deductible structure.

“We have developed Caribbean Health Insurance specifically for our region. At Caribbean Health Holdings, we are deeply committed to supporting the people and businesses of the Turks and Caicos Islands by expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare solutions,” said Sergio Madinabeitia Arango, Executive Director of CHI.

“Our medical network connects members to trusted centers of medical excellence across the Caribbean and Latin America, including leading providers in the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Jamaica, and we keep expanding. This regional approach ensures that world-class care is more accessible, more efficient, and closer to home.”

On the partnership with the TCHTA, Arango shared, “Our partnership with the TCHTA represents an important step in advancing health security for one of the country’s most vital industries. Together, we are helping create stronger healthcare access for employers, employees, and their families, while supporting the long-term wellbeing of the Turks and Caicos community.”

The initiative was spearheaded by the TCHTA Membership Committee, chaired by Snjezana Andrews. Ahead of the signing, the Committee hosted a public virtual presentation, connecting employers and employees to CHI representatives to learn more about the coverage options, ask questions, and better understand the enrollment process.

“This initiative speaks directly to the purpose of the Membership Committee,” said Andrews. “Our role is to listen to our members, understand where the gaps exist, and help identify practical solutions that bring real value. We are proud to offer members an option that responds to a clear need and allows them to better support their teams.”

In 2025, the Membership Committee identified health insurance options as a priority member benefit and key goal for the Association’s current term, noting that smaller tourism providers were often challenged to access traditional group coverage on their own. The Government’s announcement regarding changes to treatment abroad access added urgency to that work and broadened its relevance across the sector.

Andrews says the partnership is not just a win for TCHTA members, but for any organization in the Turks and Caicos Islands that values its employees and wants to strengthen the benefits available to them, adding, “In a competitive labour market, access to meaningful health coverage is key to attracting, supporting, and retaining good talent.”

Honourable Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services, attended the signing ceremony and welcomed the opportunity for continued collaboration around healthcare access and coverage options for residents and workers in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This new program provides an additional layer of security for employees in the tourism and hospitality sector by expanding access to private health insurance coverage, including the opportunity for eligible migrant workers and their families to access overseas medical treatment when needed. That is a powerful and compassionate development. It recognizes that while our local healthcare system offers quality care and continues to improve, there are times when specialized treatment abroad may be necessary.

This initiative is a significant advancement that complements the healthcare services already available locally, while strengthening the safety net for those who serve in one of our most vital economic sectors. It reflects a practical and forward-looking approach to expanding healthcare access, enhancing employee welfare, and supporting the long-term sustainability of our tourism and hospitality industry.”

As part of its commitment to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean Health Insurance will establish a local office at The Hub in Grace Bay. Led by veteran local insurance executive Craig Archibald, the office will provide the public with an in-country point of contact for information, assistance and service.

The TCHTA also confirmed that a second coverage option, offering access to care within the United States, is being finalized with local provider, CSC Insurance Brokers Ltd. Further details will be shared once that agreement is complete.

“This is bigger than a single agreement. It’s about making sure our members and their teams have real options when it comes to something as fundamental as healthcare,” said Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO. “We encourage every local organization, member or not, to reach out and explore what this partnership can offer their teams and families.”

Interested businesses can contact the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association at info@turksandcaicoshta.com or 649.332.5787 to learn more about TCHTA membership and the CHI health insurance option.

Health system is one of only a handful in the world able to perform the complex robotic procedure

In May 2026, surgeons at Cleveland Clinic successfully completed the health system’s first robotic lung transplant in the United States, marking a significant advancement in minimally invasive organ transplants. Cleveland Clinic is among only a small number of centers worldwide offering this surgical approach and was the first in Ohio to complete this type of procedure. Robotic lung transplants have rarely been performed because they require advanced robotic capabilities and a skilled surgical team.

Gregory Jones, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic’s Heart Vascular and Thoracic Institute, led the surgical team for the single lung transplant procedure, which also included Kenneth McCurry, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical director of lung transplantation and enterprise director of transplantation.

“This achievement reflects the collaboration and innovation across our transplant and surgical teams,” said Dr McCurry. “As these technologies continue to evolve, they will play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes and advancing the future of transplantation. Indeed, our kidney and liver transplant programs in Ohio have also been at the forefront of robotic organ transplantation with great success.”

In a traditional lung transplant, surgeons commonly gain access to the chest by dividing the breastbone or ribs to access the lungs. This is often associated with significant pain, which can prolong recovery. In a robotic lung transplant, surgeons use small incisions and robotic instruments and 3D visualisation to perform the procedure with a less invasive approach. This approach is designed to help reduce postoperative pain, shorten hospital stays, and accelerate recovery.

“This milestone reflects an important step forward in how we approach lung transplantation,” said Dr Jones. “It builds on our experience with both robotic surgery and transplant care and adds another option for some patients who may benefit from a minimally invasive approach.”

Robotic surgery has transformed many types of cardio-thoracic procedures over the past decade. By bringing this technology to lung transplantation, Cleveland Clinic is expanding access to advanced, minimally invasive transplant care.

The surgery was performed on a man in his 70s with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs and can make breathing increasingly difficult. Following the transplant, he was discharged from the hospital and is recovering well.

Cleveland Clinic’s Lung Transplant Program is a national leader in advanced lung transplant care, having performed more than 2,500 transplants since 1990. In 2025, Cleveland Clinic performed 146 lung transplants in the U.S. The program is known for its expertise in caring for complex transplant patients, many of whom have been turned down elsewhere, and for advancing new approaches in transplant care.

In addition to the US, Cleveland Clinic is also a leader globally in transplantation. A team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performed the enterprise’s first robotic lung transplant last year. It was also the first procedure of its kind performed in the Gulf region.

The Bahamas, May 29, 2026 – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to expand, with United Nations officials now warning that the disease has spread across multiple eastern provinces and become the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of May 26 the outbreak had reached 13 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. More than 1,000 suspected cases have been reported, including 121 confirmed infections and 17 deaths. Six healthcare workers are among those who have died.

The United Nations says humanitarian teams remain actively engaged in treatment, surveillance, community outreach and disease containment efforts. However, the response is being complicated by insecurity, population movement and restrictions affecting the delivery of supplies and personnel.

While the outbreak remains confined to Africa, authorities in The Bahamas recently activated emergency health protocols after two men who had spent time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo arrived at Lynden Pindling International Airport aboard a British Airways flight.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the travelers were isolated after presenting low-grade fevers upon arrival on May 22. Officials later reported that the fevers subsided and neither individual displayed symptoms consistent with Ebola Virus Disease.

The two men, identified as a British national residing in Australia and a French national, were transferred to the Modular Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital for continued monitoring.

Health officials emphasized that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in The Bahamas and assessed the risk to the public as low.

Still, the growing outbreak overseas has prompted increased vigilance. Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville said the government is reviewing whether additional travel measures may be necessary for countries affected by the outbreak.

The United Nations this week announced up to US$60 million in emergency funding to support the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, warning that rapid action remains critical to preventing further spread.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.