TCI News
TCI: Natural Capital Accounting
#Providenciales, February 21, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – MThe Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime and Gaming’s Department for Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), supported by the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), have produced the first national Natural Capital Account (NCA) for Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) measuring the benefit that the environment provides to TCI[1].
The recently completed NCA for 2017 found that the environment supports over $100 million annually to TCI through tourism, fishing, agriculture and recreational benefits to residents[2]. The initial account presents preliminary results and lays the foundation for improved management of TCI’s environment. A workshop is being conducted on February 20th and 21st to build capacity for government practitioners to further develop and use NCA to inform policy and planning.
NCA is a way of managing the environment, by combining ecological and economic data to better understand the value that the environment provides. This is done through the production of structured accounts which can be used to inform policy and planning decisions. By using the principles of environmental economics to understand the value of the environment, NCA is a leading-edge approach to monitoring the benefits of a nation’s environmental assets, in parallel to other national accounts, such as GDP (which measure the value of a nation’s economy). Better environmental management, informed by these accounts, can create benefits such as improved coastal protection, greater tourism potential, plentiful fish populations, a reduction in erosion, sustainable material production, and better air and water quality. This will improve both the sustainability of a nations’ environment, and the prosperity of its people.
Director of Strategic Policy and Planning, Mrs. Kathleen Forbes stated, “The environment is pivotal in providing TCI with much of its national wealth and well-being. It is therefore fundamental that it is considered equally with the nation’s other assets in policy and planning. NCA provides a useful and practical holistic tool we can use to help bring environmental data into national accounts to better invest for the future.”
The objective of the workshop is to provide knowledge and skills to facilitate the introduction and utilisation of NCA in TCI and how it may be applied to create meaningful impact in policy and planning. As such, practitioners will gain experience in collecting, processing and linking data collection activities to the decision-making processes. The workshop is designed for cross-department technical experts from within TCI Government to build capacity so that practitioners will be equipped with the ability to take the NCA process forward in TCI. This will begin with the development of the updated NCA for 2018, and a strategy to further improve and embed NCA to help support effective decision making from 2019 and beyond.
Minister with responsibility for Tourism and the Environment Hon. Ralph Higgs commented; “We are pleased to receive the support and assistance of the JNCC for the development of the country’s first National Capital Account. Natural Capital underpins the socioeconomic development of countries and is critical in maintaining resilience to natural and human elements. This document will aid and provide insight to ensure strategic decisions are made in the best interest of our people and country towards the protection and sustainability of our environment.
Release: TCIG
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.
Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:
- Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
- Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
- Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.
Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:
- drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
- taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
- cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
- use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
- speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
- bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
- dress in loose clothes.
- do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
- do not give aspirin to children under 16.
- do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
- do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.
To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
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