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BAHAMAS: Dr. Sands Encourages Personal Responsibility for Good Health

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#Bahamas, April 18, 2018 – Grand Bahama -Bahamians need to make healthier choices, the country’s total health expenditure is ranked among the top five in the Caribbean and Latin America, said Minister of Health Dr. the Hon. Duane Sands, during the official opening of World Health Month at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 12.

Held under the theme, “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere”, the Minister opened his address with a quote from Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nationals, which said ‘It is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for.’  As a part of the observance, said the Minister, the World Health Organization (WHO) is challenging leaders, policy makers and national health systems to take steps towards Universal Health Coverage.

“The Bahamas, like many other nations in our region, has undertaken the immense challenge that is the implementation of a programme of National Health Insurance.  The need for universal coverage is clear, our country’s total health expenditure ranks among the top five in Latin America and the Caribbean.  As I recently advised Parliament, with the current trends in Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, in addition to the impact of violence and infectious diseases our already struggling economy will be crippled by our health challenges and costs.

“I support the efforts of the NHI Authority as we make progress toward a universal coverage solution that works in our Bahamian context, and meets the international standard that enables every citizen and resident to access the services that address the most important causes of disease and death, and ensures the quality of those services.  However, the reform of our NHI programme while important is not the panacea for all The Bahamas’ healthcare ills.”

A solution to the problem, the Minister continued, is a complex one. Continuous reform in the health system is necessary to improve “health and wellness for Bahamians at risk of developing preventable health conditions as well as improvement in our delivery of care and management of ill and injured.

There are too many Bahamians, continued Minister Sands, who consume too much salt, sugar and too little healthy and nutritious options.  “Far too many Bahamians live sedentary lives, inviting the many complications that result from a lack of sufficient physical activity.  Ultimately, far too many Bahamians, despite decades of healthy lifestyle campaigns undertaken by the public health sector, the private sector, civil society, and NGOs, lack the information and tools to make changes in their lives that could improve their health and prevent disease and injury.

There is little doubt that creative thinking and innovative approaches are needed to empower our people to take control of their health, but personal responsibility for one’s own health, and dedication to the health of those entrusted to our care, like our children and elderly must also play a part.

Dr. Sands noted that discussions are being held with the public and private sectors, along with talks with the public on changes that can be made to lifestyles, culture and economic outlook that will empower Bahamians to have better health results.

World Health Day is observed April 7 annually and is an initiative that came out of the first World Health Assembly in 1948.

 

By Robyn Adderley

 

Photo Captions:

Header: Duane Sands

Insert: Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Duane Sands, on Thursday, April 12, officially opened World Health Month at the Rand Memorial Hospital. (BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)

 

 

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C&W COMMUNICATIONS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED AS ATHLETES “CHASE THE SUN”

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World Relays to be title sponsored by BTC, one of C&W’s local brands.

 

In just a few days, athletes from over fifty countries will converge in The Bahamas for the BTC World Athletic Relays Bahamas 24. C&W Communications, the parent company of BTC, is proud to be associated with this major event, which will see athletes from The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago competing for a place in the upcoming Olympic games in Paris.

Inge Smidts, CEO of C&W Communications, who also serves as Chair of the BTC Board of Directors will be in the stands to witness the highly anticipated relays. Smidts says, this was an event that she simply could not miss. “We are proud to support our Caribbean athletes, and we wish them well as they vie for a spot in the Olympic games.

The relays will be held one of in our markets, The Bahamas, and we are honoured to be the title sponsor of the event. The world relays represent the spirit of relentless courage and the willingness to succeed of the Caribbean people and of our business. Through partnerships like this we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to connect communities and change lives.”

In addition to its sponsorship of the event, Smidts says it was important that athletes, officials, and fans stayed connected during the games. “As a business we are focused on ensuring that our customers have access to faster, stronger, and more reliable connectivity, and we worked with our partners to make certain that athletes and guests remain connected.

We have offered e-sim cards, and we also worked with the major hotels to set up care centers to ensure that we address any connectivity concerns on the spot. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that BTC will provide free Wi-Fi at the stadium giving patrons and athletes the opportunity to share every riveting moment.”

BTC has hosted a special event just for the Caribbean athletes, at the newly renovated Queen’s Staircase in Nassau, a recently renovated historic landmark visited by thousands of tourists each day. This event gave athletes the opportunity to unwind, mingle, and to learn more about each other right before the competition.

This is the fourth time that BTC and its parent company C&W Communications have title sponsored the world relays. The BTC World Athletic Relays will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson Track & Field Stadium from May 4-5, under the theme, “Chase the Sun, from Paradise to Paris.”

 

 

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RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew. 

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.” 

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.” 

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations. 

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash. 

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described. 

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating. 

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”

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