Services recently represented the Turk and Caicos Islands at the First Annual Caribbean Region Tri-angu-lating on Health Equity Conference, July 21-22, 2011, at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The two day conference July 21-22, was hosted by Morehouse School of Medicine, with sponsorship from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Office of Minority Health, and showcased best-practice, real-world, and
positive-outcome health equity models from the Caribbean region and communities, representing the Caribbean Diaspora in the United States.
The purpose of the Conference was to build collaborations around the theme of “Triangulating on Health Equity”, identifying and disseminating models which integrate multi-dimensional interventions focused on social
determinants, public/community health, and primary care.
The TCI contingent was among approximately 75 participants, including community leaders, scholars, and practitioners, in attendance, who presented examples of best-practice models.
Director of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rufus Ewing, and Health Planner, Dr. Jamillah Berry, discussed the TCI Model for Health Care Renewal including successes, challenges and lessons learned,
as well as future plans to strengthen health regulation, primary care and health promotion initiatives. Dr. Terese Maitland, Chief of the National Epidemiology and Research Unit, along with
Health Educator Ms. Imterniza McCartney, presented on the TCI Multi-disciplinary Model for Cholera Preparedness Surveillance carried out in collaboration with international agencies PAHO and DFID and regional
agencies (e.g., CAREC) to support the development and implementation of health promotion, prevention, detection, treatment and control measures.
Additional persons in attendance at the “Triangulating on Health Equity” included Nutritionist Mrs. Lakeisha Gardiner-Wilson, Health Research Officer Ms. Shenika Handfield, and
Mr. Romell Phillips, Morehouse School of Medicine Master of Public Health Intern from South Caicos.
