Health
Migrant Health Back in Operation says Health Ministry
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 20, 2022 – Interim upgrades to the Migrant Health Unit are complete and the Unit is ready to go after the moratorium on the health certificates, which the office supplies, expired on August 1st.
The public was informed that the moratorium was placed on the certificates after the Ministry of Health found ‘integrity issues’ with the database holding the certificates earlier this year.
“In an attempt to rectify the [Integrity issues] it caused a lot of issues to back up. That’s simply because we were trying to ensure that all of the records that are in the database are records that we can rely on,” said E. Jay Saunders, acting Minister of Health in a press conference held on August 8.
The acting minister would not say where the integrity issues originated, offering only that the ministry had been concerned that they could not authenticate every record.
“I wouldn’t want to come here at this point and speculate why they were having integrity issues because otherwise you could be causing people to jump to a conclusion that isn’t the case.”
Dr. Jeremy Myers, Deputy Chief Medical Officer confirmed there had been severe levels of fraudulent certificates being presented across the island especially from Haiti. The certificates contained discrepancies with names and date of vaccination.
“We’ve seen cards that were not in keeping with any world standards, we can write a book in terms of the
discrepancies we’ve seen. It was really bad.” He said, “We don’t have an exact percentage of documents that we were receiving but we did receive quite a number and when we received the applications the information on them in terms of where it was coming from, the doctor who would have signed it and the stamp used was extremely concerning.”
This led to more stringent controls in who can submit certificates to the migrant health unit. Now there are only two hospitals in Haiti approved for official documents to the Turks and Caicos on direct recommendation from the Haitian consulate.
Saunders said the interim measures were not only meant to curb the high rate of fraud but to make the migrant health experience easier. Additionally, the unit will only accept medical applications from locally licensed healthcare providers and pre-approved employers in the country of origin.
Unlicensed individuals will no longer be allowed to submit applications on behalf of individuals looking to live or work in the Turks and Caicos. Employers must now also be pre-approved by the Ministry.
These new layers of controls are however concerning to the public which has suffered extreme wait times. As TCIG tries to curtail corruption, it continues to create more work for its employees and narrows the ways in which critical national documents can be processed in a timely manner.
Thankfully work permit holders will no longer have to apply every year for a certificate; their health certificate will now carry the same expiration date as their work permits.
The government said they were still having problems with data migration and were working with the digitization unit to fix those. Myers promised that once the process was complete the government would be able to provide statistics and other relevant information regarding migrant health.
You can find the complete list of updated interim protocols on the Ministry of Health health Facebook page.
Health
Successful Community Kidney Screening Events Hosted by InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital and Ministry of Health and Human Services in Grand Turk and Salt Cay
(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 19th, 2024): – InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Community Kidney Screening Events held in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. These events marked a significant milestone in promoting kidney health awareness and early detection.
On April 12, 2024, on Grand Turk (Dillon Hall) and April 13, 2024, on Salt Cay (Ministry of Health Clinic), participants had the opportunity to receive immediate screening results and personalized guidance from dedicated healthcare professionals. The collaborative effort between InterHealth Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services empowered individuals to prioritize their kidney health and take proactive steps towards well-being.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO of InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, shared, “We are happy to see the positive impact of the Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. By providing accessible screenings and expert guidance by our clinical teams, including our nephrologist and internist, we equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their kidney health.”
Similarly, Dr Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “These events have showcased the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining optimal kidney health.”
The support of sponsors, including the TCI Boating Club, Air and Sea Agency, The Olympic Group Limited, Flow and Digicel, played a crucial role in the success of the Community Kidney Screening Events.
InterHealth-Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are excited to announce that a series of Kidney Community Screenings with dates for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos will be revealed soon, further extending the impact of this important initiative.
The Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay have set a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to prioritize kidney health and well-being within the community. Together, we are taking proactive steps towards building a healthier future for all.
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.
This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.
Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.
These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.
In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.
In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”
The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.
Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”
Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.
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