The TCI Ministry of Health is strengthening its capacity with assistance from PAHO (the Pan American Health Organisation) to help the country better handle any future outbreak of tuberculosis, also known as TB. PAHO has arranged for a consultant, Dr. Ward Schrooten to provide technical assistance in the areas of surveillance, treatment, management and containment of the disease.
The consultant will meet next week with Ministry of Health primary care staff and InterHealth Canada clinical staff who are involved with diagnosis and or treatment of tuberculosis.
The meeting will:
- Review tuberculosis cases and current systems for surveillance and contact tracing
- Discuss screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis cases, and
- Discuss mandatory requirement for the protection of patient information and confidentiality
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Judith Campbell, in welcoming the support said:
“We will be able to review our response to recent cases of TB in the Turks and Caicos Islands including the H.M. Prison, and examine ways to further strengthen our systems and procedures. We are indeed grateful to PAHO for arranging this assistance and to CAREC to which Dr. Schrooten is attached.”
Dr. Ward Schrooten will visit the TCI from 31st May to 3rd June and will meet Ministry of Health Primary care staff and InterHealth Canada clinical staff on Providenciales and Grand Turk.
Tuberculosis is a disease of the lungs whose main symptoms are a chronic cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss. It is highly contagious and, left untreated, can be deadly.
