TCI News
TCI: InterHealth Canada to launch a Special TV Series
#Providenciales, April 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – InterHealth Canada – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has produced a 9-part TV series titled ‘The Interview’ under the tagline: “Health care on the inside”, which is intended to enhance the communities understanding of health care operations along with the complex dynamics involved. The special series will be launched on Wednesday April 24th 2019 at 8pm on PTV Channel 8. The series will broadcast over 18 weeks with a rerun of each new episode.
Each episode will feature a 30-minute interview with senior and middle level executives from across the private health care management company on a unique range of insightful topics with significant public interest. Discussions will explore the growth of medical services with patient volumes that have now surpassed initial projections and some of the factors involved in striking a balance between treatment abroad, onshore care and visiting consultant services. Other topics include the impact of long stay patients on hospital bed occupancy levels along with interim and long-term interventions.
Experts in the Public Private Partnership model commence the series with a discussion on the accountability mechanisms outlined in the comprehensive package of infrastructure and service delivery under the IHC-TCIG Project Agreement. This includes a look at the ‘Change Enquiry’ process from a governance perspective. The series also spotlights the role of TCI Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory in the wider health care landscape and the value of health care services.
More than 16,000 diagnostic imaging tests are performed annually with highly sensitive and costly medical technology. Engineers and experts involved in the complex management of health care technology dissect the hospital’s equipment life cycle program and environmental sensitivities with reference to the challenges incurred after the September 2017 hurricanes. Other episodes underscore the management practices and multi-faceted teams involved in the maintenance of the hospital’s physical infrastructure and the safeguarding of electronic medical record systems. Information technology is an important enabler in hospitals.
Shortages in the domestic health care workforce is a critical issue for Turks and Caicos. Since health care operations are people-intensive, the topic of international recruitment is later examined with a focus on the advantages of diverse medical teams, the multi-step process of vetting medical credentials, competency management and organizational efforts to build local capacity.
As the series move into a half-way point, clinical department heads examine the restructuring of the emergency department (ED) triage system, factors that determine a patient’s waiting time, and the global increase in acts of aggression towards ED staff. To culminate the series, the hospital’s subject area leaders in quality, risk and patient safety takes centerstage to provide insight into the rigorous accreditation hospital-wide assessments, infection prevention, the mitigation of patient events and management of patient concerns.
The series is hosted by former news anchor and current Public Relations and Marketing Manager for InterHealth Canada, Nikira John, and is an extension of the hospital’s quarterly corporate newsletter also titled ‘The Interview’, which is available online via www.tcihospital.tc.
Press Release: InterHealth Canada
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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