Ecclesiastes 9:11 read “I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.”
Mr. Speaker it is with mixed emotions that I deliver this year’s budget speech under the theme “developing health services beyond a pandemic” which perfectly links to the overall budget theme “An Economy that Works for All: People-Opportunity-Prosperity”. Like never before Mr. Speaker we understand the link between the Health of a Nation and the overall economic wellbeing of a nation. Covid-19 has been the biggest crisis our islands have faced in generations, and arguably one of the greatest global challenges in a century.
Mr. Speaker, this pandemic has disrupted our lives to an extent few predicted; separated friends and families; closed businesses and damaged livelihoods; and, most tragically of all, it has been associated with the deaths of 36 people in the TCI.
Mr. Speaker, the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the TCI has been one of the most successful in the region with 85% of the adult population being fully vaccinated. Through partnership, we have been able to reach this milestone. Working with our stakeholders including the FCDO, Private Health Sector, TCI Hospitals, and the Multi-sector Communications Team. The roll out has included policy changes to effect the third dose and the roll out to 5-11 year olds. More recently, the fourth dose has been approved for the most vulnerable and has been rolled out to the general public. With this being said, there is much room for improvement as the current booster rate stands at 20%. Mr. Speaker, I will use this opportunity to encourage my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders to take the booster, particularly those individuals with underlying medical conditions who are considered vulnerable or who may come into close contact with persons who may be vulnerable. I would also like to encourage parents to consider vaccinating their children to minimize disruptions to schools, and to facilitate safe travel during holidays and reduce risks to vulnerable persons.
Mr. Speaker, the oxygen generator project for the first time has allowed the TCI to make its own medical oxygen rather than rely on importation, thereby ensuring that the country is able to be self- reliant not only for the pandemic but also beyond in being able to manage its own resources. This is particularly important in the face of ongoing supply chain disruptions which have come about due to COVID-19. This is a sustainable investment in health care made by the Ministry of Health which will benefit the TCI for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, this is a great achievement we all should be proud of. This feat shows that positive lessons should be taken from our experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and support our ongoing efforts to ensure we are able to respond effectively and appropriately to this pandemic and any future health threats.
Mr. Speaker, all of our lessons learned need to be incorporated into our future plans thereby making the TCIs health care system more resilient through institutional strengthening and capacity building within the health sector and my Ministry and its related statutory bodies. We must also address the challenges affecting our health system. The pandemic has placed significant pressure on our health sector, however, I believe we will emerge from this stronger. We must organize a National Health Conference to properly document the lessons learnt.
Mr. Speaker, we must continue to support and pursue health system reform to create a new integrated system with emphasis placed on improving health outcomes for our people. This administration is confident that this can be achieved within our first term of office. Our intention is to ensure that evidence and data guide decisions and future plans. In addition to increasing prevention, preparedness and response to pandemics, our plan is to develop a new strategy for health which is sustainable and meets the needs of our population through work which is well underway. As we inch closer to a post pandemic world, greater emphasis will be placed on wellness and mental wellbeing. I pause to note that this month is marked as Mental Health Awareness Month, under the theme “Together for Mental Health”.
Mr. Speaker, Mental health continues to be an area of focus and my Ministry will continue exploring opportunities to address this by supporting individuals, families and communities. I stand here proud to announce that the TCIs first mental health facility will be opening this year and offering services to our residents. To this end we will be hiring 8 additional staff members and adding over $500,000 to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s budget. Mr. Speaker, if I do say so myself and I do, this is what you call a Good, Good Government putting its money where its priorities are.
Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to strengthen the Primary Health Care Department which for the last two (2) years has been on the front line of the TCI’s Pandemic response. I must pause again to congratulate the PHCD which has been spearheading the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and community testing and contact tracing. This year the department will be continuing its progress on the implementation of the Primary Health Care Renewal Strategy. Your government has approved capital funding for two (2) new Primary Health Care clinics for the islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk. These projects will be undertaken in a phased approach. This will ensure that these islands have new state of the art facilities which will provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of the general public and assist in our goal of improving health outcomes and healthier communities.
Mr. Speaker, the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases in our region such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other lifestyle disorders, has been further exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic thus hindering our region’s progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals due to their multiple health, economic and social consequences.
Mr. Speaker, one of the people’s good, good government’s priorities is to develop a comprehensive approach to NCDs, with a focus on strengthening primary health care delivery and addressing risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco and alcohol abuse. We need to utilize all available resources to foster healthy lifestyles, strengthen primary health care and community-based programs, and promote food security, nutrition-sensitive social protection including partnership with our local stakeholders across various sectors. Mr. Speaker, let me highlight and congratulate all those involved in the Let’s Move TCI campaign, both Ministries of Health and Education plus statutory bodies, the Sports Commission and NHIB, along with all our private sector partners. Mr. Speaker work is currently being undertaken on the NCD policy which will guide all of these processes.
Mr. Speaker, it is necessary to enhance the position of health policy in overall policy-making by government through the adaptation of a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This initiative demonstrates that the provision of health extends beyond the boundaries of the MOH but needs a coordinated approach between multiple Ministries and partners. If this pandemic has taught us anything is that Health must be in All Policies. HiAP is one step to enable a collective and cohesive approach that is systematically done to encourage healthy living and improve the health status of all. Today’s and future generations deserve to live in a clean environment where they have an opportunity to enjoy longer and healthier lives.
Mr. Speaker, Covid-19 has shown us that single-country solutions are not enough when it comes to the spread of communicable diseases in a hyper-connected, globalized world. Such crises can only be tackled effectively through collaborative action at national, regional and international levels.
There has been much dialogue about the 90-90-90 targets. These are Global targets which have been established to help end the AIDS epidemic. I am pleased to say that this year, HIV/ AIDS is again a high priority area for the Ministry of Health. We are also working on the Elimination of Mother to Child transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis.
Mr. Speaker, we are thankful to God Almighty that our beautiful islands have been spared during the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season. The MOH through the Health Emergency Management Unit continues to clearly focus on building pathways to resilience and disaster risk reduction both as part of the public and private sector as well as within the wider TCI community. The unit will continue to focus on developing plans and conducting training to improve capacity to prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters. We stand ready to work hand and hand with our Colleagues in the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment as we all focus on combating the effects of Climate Change.
Mr. Speaker, the People’s Good, Good Government will continue to invest in measures to reduce health threats, develop early warning systems, and strengthen surveillance and data collection while safeguarding individual privacy. This includes building on gains and lessons learned from the pandemic.
Mr. Speaker, new dental equipment has been installed on the family islands. This year, approval has been granted for four (4) new posts in this department, two (2) dental assistants and two (2) dental surgeons. This will allow the department to offer secondary care services as well as improve outreach to the family islands and communities within the TCI.
Mr. Speaker, the Nursing and Midwifery Unit continues to focus on a number of ongoing planned initiatives which are geared towards the strengthening of nursing and midwifery education and practice in the TCI, in order to respond to the needs of the national health system following the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Speaker, some of these activities included joint discussions between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Turks and Caicos Island Community College (TCICC), and TCI Hospital, as well as regional and international stakeholders. I am proud to say that as a result of these talks, the third (3rd) year Nursing students enrolled with the TCI Community College commenced their clinical practicum at TCI Hospital on 19th April 2022. This will represent our first cohort of locally trained Registered Nurses at the Associates Degree level following completion of their overseas attachments. This is a significant achievement and we are actively pursuing the further strengthening of the registered nursing programme on offer at the TCICC in order to attract more local persons to enter this field, thereby providing a more sustainable source of human resources for health in the TCI.
Mr. Speaker, the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) human capacity will be further strengthened this financial year with the approval for nine (9) additional staff members including another Supervisor of EMS, 7 EMT’s, and a Medical Officer who will provide support to the team. Again Mr. Speaker, we are increasing their recurrent budget by over $500,000. The additional staff will allow us to have a second (2nd) ambulance base to be located in the Bight Constituency thus reducing response times on Providenciales. All things considered, the long-awaited additional ambulances will be procured within this budget cycle.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, a number of training opportunities for staff have been targeted both locally and in partnership with the UK as well as other stakeholders in order to build our human capacity. The department has also engaged with the Fire department to foster closer working relationships including training opportunities for more effective emergency response throughout the TCI.
Mr. Speaker, strengthening our Port Health Services through the development of a Port Health Unit with twelve (12) Port Health Officers having been approved for this financial year. This will enhance the department’s surveillance and investigative capability to ensure greater compliance with Environmental Health Regulations and the MOH established policies as well as international requirements. Port health legislation is being pursued and has been placed on the MOHHS legislative agenda. The department has been further supported with the establishment of a solid waste taskforce led by the Honourable Member from Wheland. This will serve to steer solid waste management in the TCI. The CDB solid waste project continues to progress and a consultant will be selected to provide recommendations for a comprehensive solution in short order. The department will continue its other obligations of protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of visitors and residents through the implementation of quality public health services and programmes.
Mr. Speaker, the Special Needs Unit continues to be an area of focus within the MOH. I am pleased to say that the People’s Good, Good government has doubled the allocation for treatment and care for this financial year from $233,121.00 unaudited actuals to $474,600.00. This demonstrates a clear commitment to improving access to services to the most vulnerable though programmes in partnership with our partners including the One World Foundation. To assist our elderly clients, the “We Care Program” launched by the Special Needs Unit in South Caicos, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay turned out to be a great success with a total of 52 persons benefiting from the program. The unit also assisted with the distribution of thirty-six (36) pieces of adaptive equipment inclusive of wheelchairs, walkers and commodes throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands with the assistance of the One World Foundation and Rotary Club of Water Town which will make an impact on the quality of the recipients.
Mr. Speaker, the unit is embarking on the re-establishment of the Community Based Rehabilitation Program for persons with special needs in order to improve independence among persons with special needs by creating employment opportunities for persons with special needs, creating support groups, and creating independence through life skills programs.
Mr. Speaker, the unit is continuing its efforts to build capacity and staff enhancement through an in house and external training and recruitment of additional staff. I am delighted to announce that after six (6) years an offer has been made and accepted for an in-country Speech and Language Pathologist to join the team. The department has also partnered with the Ministry of Education and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department to provide training for parents of children with special needs to empower them to apply the skills learned in their homes to support their families.
Mr. Speaker, the National Public Health Laboratory has continued to make strides towards the opening of the Grand Turk Laboratory. The NPHL has successfully recruited two (2) additional staff to be based in Grand Turk. It is anticipated that the Grand Turk Lab will become operational during the first half of this financial year thereby supporting the laboratory in Providenciales. Gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic including the significant investments made in laboratory equipment and supplies will be translated into additional services being provided including an expanded suite of tests which will be available in country.
Mr. Speaker, the Pharmacy unit continues to develop appropriate policies to support the implementation of a pharmaceutical framework for the management and control of drugs in order to protect the health and well-being of Turks and Caicos Islanders and residents. An additional staff member has been approved for this unit in order to strengthen the unit’s compliance capability with this sector.
Conclusion
Mr. Speaker -This has been another testing and difficult year for those working in healthcare. Our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and everyone across the health sector has been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep the TCI safe. The great success of our vaccine rollout has allowed us to move back to some degree of normalcy, despite the emergence of new variants which pose a public health threat to our ongoing response efforts to minimize/mitigate community transmission throughout the islands (TCIs).
Mr. Speaker, while COVID-19 has highlighted major challenges in our health services, it has also highlighted our strengths, including the resilience, professionalism, courage and innovative spirit of our healthcare workers. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you, not only to my team, the A-team within the Ministry of Health but also our local healthcare partners including TCI hospitals, private sector healthcare providers and the Cuban medical brigade.
In addition, the Nursing Unit is spearheading activities for National Nurses Week which is being celebrated from the 11-15th May 2022 which will include a conference under the theme “A Voice to Lead-Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health.” Nurses have played a critical role on the front lines not only in the TCI but also globally during the pandemic response and therefore this will be an opportunity to celebrate and recognize their contribution to the health of our residents and visitors over the years.
Mr. Speaker, for this FY 2022/2023 – $2, 000,000 has been allocated to our ongoing COVID-19 response. But more than that, it is also about building capacity and bringing positive permanent change to our health system.
Mr. Speaker, the continuing investments made in recent years, including a 17% increase in staff hiring across the Ministry, will mean that through the ongoing initiatives within the MOH, the TCI will have a stronger and more resilient healthcare system resulting in a healthier population.
Mr. Speaker, by taking a holistic approach to addressing healthcare, we will continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at promoting health and ensuring that our residents have access to sustainable comprehensive and high-quality services and programmes at an affordable cost.
So Mr. Speaker, with the covid-19 Pandemic slowly winding down, I reiterate my non pandemic priorities: 1. Solid Waste Management in the TCI and Wheland in particular. Progress being made there. 2. Improvement of the delivery of Health Care Services. Progress is being made there in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Care. 3. Special Needs. Great progress is being made there.
Mr. Speaker, for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10).
May God continue to bless the people of the beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
Thank you!
