MINISTER OF HEALTH, AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN SERVICES ATTEND WORLD HEALTH CARE CONGRESS (WHCC 2017)
The Minister of Health Agriculture and Human Services the Hon. Edwin A. Astwood accompanied by his Executive Administrator, Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes, attended the Word Health Care Congress (WHCC 2017) at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park during the period April 30 – May 1, 2017 in Washington DC.
The 14th Annual World Health Care Congress convenes decision makers from all sectors of health care to catalyze meaningful partnerships and change. The faculty focuses on policy and market forces impacting the Health Care business environment including consolidation, consumer empowerment, digital health, and the ongoing shift to value-based payment.
During the two-day educational focus event, Hon. Astwood met with a number of Health Care Leaders and Medical Directors, Representatives from Health Agencies, such as; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, National Council for Behavioral Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Hospital Association. He also met with Insurance companies and Benefits Consultants, representatives of Health Care Companies and Medical Groups, Ministers from the UK Overseas territories; Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister for Health & Social Development, BVI and Hon. Evans Rogers, Minister of Health & Social Development, Anguilla, were also in attendance. Other Senior-level Executives from all segments of the Health Care and Life Sciences Industries attended and exchanged ideas, held discussions on market trends, and explore possible solutions to the most pressing challenges facing patients, the medical traveler and care givers in the various health care sectors.
Hon. Astwood attendance focused mainly on Medical Travel and all related. These workshops and panel discussions were hosted by the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), which allow participants to discuss and garner greater knowledge on the Domestic Medical Travel Opportunity, thereby fostering strong relationship between the US based, the Caribbean, and the Latin American based health providers and customers. Through this medium, Hon. Astwood was able to identify opportunities to promote the TCI and raise interest in the destination for Health Care/ Medical Tourism.
Among the information presented in the workshops and forums, were discussions on areas of opportunity for Quality Medical Care, Vetting the Realities of Health Care Travel, Maximizing the International Patient Journey, Healthcare Choices, Health Brand, Determining Health care Value, Formation and the role that brand play in Medical tourism, How Patient experience drives the Global Brand, Medical Travel Markets, Medical Travel Facilitator and Facilitator Liability, Who Travels for Care, Emerging Trends in Medical Travel, the Patient Experience and other issues and challenges faced in the medical tourism. Information on how consumers use facts and data to choose their providers was provided focusing on focusing on Communication and the international patient journey.
Hon. Astwood also attended a Dinner and Panel discussion hosted by Health City Cayman where he talked on the Turks & Caicos Medical Travel experience, and participated on the discussion on the key concepts, opportunities, and Barriers in Medical Travel.
Hon Astwood commented; "The workshop was very informative and provides a clear and better understanding of medical tourism."
He stated that; "I've learned that the Medical travel markets is built on "Choice" and requires much collaboration amongst stakeholders. In addition, the patient experience and value (that is the relationship of Quality to Cost) is a major determinant for customer choice. The key to developing a successful Medial Tourism Program is High quality, liability and aftercare, all focusing on an enhanced Patient experience, and the Turks & Caicos should find a niche health care market and focus on the delivery of excellence in Patient Care, Patient Experience, and Patient Satisfaction."
Wine Cellar hosts Cinco de Mayo celebrations
THE WINE CELLAR hosted their annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the Ports of Call in Providenciales last Friday.
The Mexican celebration is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.
The initiative featured about seven different restaurants and attendees had the opportunity to enjoy an array of Mexican inspired dishes.
One of the organizers of the event, Desmond Williams said that the Wine Cellar has been organizing this event for over a decade and that it was a fun way to give residents and visitors something to do.
Mr John Draper, vendor at the event and owner of Baci Restaurant, an Italian restaurant in the Turtle Cove area, stated that he has been a part of this event since its inception and that he was always amazed with the turnout.
Sales and marketing representative for the Wine Cellar and co-organizer of the event, Anthony Bell thanked the vendors and the public for their continuous support.
GOVERNMENT PLEASED WITH TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN MIDDLE AND NORTH CAICOS
The newly elected Government has begun its first series of Town Hall Meetings as promised in the Change Document. A meeting was held with the residents of Middle Caicos at 2pm on Friday, April 28, 2017 and in attendance was the Premier Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and Minister of Tourism and MP for Middle and North Caicos, Hon Ralph Higgs.
Representatives of the Government later that evening traveled to the Island of North Caicos to hold another Town Hall Meeting. In attendance was Premier Robinson, Hon Higgs, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon Goldray Ewing.
Residents on both Islands were welcoming and expressed their delight at the fact that the representatives from the Government were present to hear from them and to keep them informed. The Government used the opportunity to update the residents of the Twin Islands on its activities since coming to Office and also to advise what Programs and Projects were in this year's Budget for the Twin Islands.
Premier Robinson said that she was particularly encouraged and excited by the attendance. She committed to addressing the concerns raised and pledged her Government's commitment to keep them informed.
Hon Ralph Higgs stated; "We must encourage our residents to be more involved in the governance of these Islands and to ensure that they familiarize themselves with Budget provisions for their Islands. Keeping close to our people in this fashion is a commitment made by us as a Government and we intend to visit at least once per quarter."
This first series of Town Hall Meetings was organised to follow the recent passing of the Fiscal Budget, but early enough to affect the decisions for the 2018/19 Budget whose cycle will begin shortly.
TCIG MAKES Presentation TO Early Childhood classrooms
The Department of Gender Affairs within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication, was delighted to distribute educational materials to the various Early Childhood classroom within the Government and Private School throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The department's overall aim is to contribute to a solid foundation from early childhood stages that would have long term benefits for the economy and society in general. When children are young, they are learning sponges. Every new experience, every word they learn, every behavior they adopt, is an investment in a more fruitful future. We further believe that, Early Childhood education is about honing and molding the holistic child, which will eventually form the basis of their lifelong journey and we commit to playing an integral role in this critical stage.
Principals were contacted regarding this initiative and were given an opportunity to select items based on the priority needs of the individual classes. The presentation was done in Grand Turk and will continue throughout the Islands next week.
The Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs, Hon. Vaden Williams stated; "I am delighted to present the educational resources to the early childhood classroom as it would stimulate their ability to develop resilience in children as early as possible. By creating a consistent, secure and fair social environment, with clear expectations and predictable consequences, children can develop skills in managing themselves and their emotions."
He further added; "Early Childhood is so much more than playing. While the basic educational benefits of preschool (such as literacy and numeracy) are tangible, the advances children achieve towards becoming well-rounded individuals are truly invaluable and the Ministry will continue in its endeavor to be a contributing factor to this advancement."
The team comprised the Hon. Vaden Williams, Mrs. Bridgette Newman, Acting Permanent Secretary, Director of Gender Affairs and other staff from the ministry.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TUESDAY 9TH MAY 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE WEATHER OVER THE AREA IN THE WAKE OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY EXTENDING JUST NORTHEAST OF THE TURKS & CAICOS.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY AND WARM WITH THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF A FEW BRIEF SHOWERS MAINLY IN THE TCI TODAY. FAIR AND COOL TONIGHT.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS BUT FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES OVER OPEN WATERS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 84F 29C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 66F 19C
SUNRISE: 6:29AM SUNSET: 7:44PM
MOONRISE: 6:50PM MOONSET: 6:29AM WED.
HIGH TIDE: 7:40AM LOW TIDE: 1:49PM
HIGH TIDE: 8:05PM LOW TIDE: 2:27AM WED.
EXTENDED FORECAST: A HIGH PRESSURE AREA WILL PERSIST OVER THE BAHAMAS AND WILL KEEP CURRENT BENIGN WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH THE END OF THE WORK WEEK.
Four promoted to senior director roles at Fortis
FORTISTCI has announced expanded roles for four senior executives as a part of the company's organisational restructuring exercise.
These new appointments took effect on March 1.
Don Forsyth, former director of engineering and planning, has been named as senior director of electrical planning, engineering and energy delivery.
Aisha Laporte, who served as director of customer services, is the new senior director of customer services and stakeholder engagement.
Catherine Buena-Munsayac, former director of internal audit, risk and compliance is now senior director of enterprise risk management and internal audit, and Archie Gaviola, former director of financial services, has been promoted to senior director of financial and treasury services.
Forsyth joined the FortisTCI team in 2013 as director of engineering and planning.
He is a utility electrical engineering professional with 20 years' experience in island utility systems.
He began his career in the industry at the single generation plant in Grenada and moved through the ranks to become manager of planning and engineering.
His expertise includes generation and transmission and distribution operations and maintenance activities, a broad range of engineering studies related to system capacity expansion, system protection, system control, distribution automation and renewable energy implementation.
Over the years he has held numerous technical and managerial roles.
Forsyth has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad.
He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
Laporte joined FortisTCI in 2008 as supervisor of financial services. In 2011 she was promoted to manager of financial services and played a key role in several major finance projects designed to improve the company's treasury and financial reporting processes.
In 2012 she was promoted to director of customer services.
As the leader in customer services, she focused on developing additional customer services in energy audits, automation of customer information and payments via the customer web portal, as well as enhancing revenue protection services.
She has also served on the committee that developed and introduced renewable energy programmes in FortisTCI.
Prior to joining FortisTCI, she worked as principal auditor for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government from 2003-2006.
She also worked as auditor for two years at KPMG, one of the leading professional auditing firms in the TCI.
Laporte graduated with a Bachelor's degree with distinction in Accounting from Nova Southeastern University in Florida in 2002.
A year later she became part of a group of fewer than 10 Turks and Caicos Islanders, at that time, to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Buena-Munsayac joined FortisTCI in 2008 as manager of financial services and was promoted to director of financial services and risk management in 2011.
While in the finance department, she led the implementation of financial controls and optimization of the use of the previous enterprise resource planning system.
She also facilitated the introduction of the enterprise risk management process.
In 2014 she transferred to internal audit where she was instrumental in the set-up of FTCI's internal audit department, ERM and Sarbanes-Oxley readiness programmes.
She has diverse industry experience covering energy and utilities, food and beverage, logistics, manufacturing, advertising, financing, real estate and banking.
She has a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and holds both Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor certifications.
Gaviola joined FortisTCI in 2009 as financial reporting and business planning consultant, focusing on compliance with international financial reporting standards and development of financial models for business planning and analysis.
He was promoted to manager of financial services in 2012 and director of financial services in 2014.
He was instrumental in assisting the company with obtaining its investment grade corporate credit rating from Standard & Poor's and the subsequent inaugural issue of notes in the United States private placement market.
He has managed the company's financial reporting under both IFRS and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Previously, he worked as audit senior at one of the big four auditing firms and managed assurance engagements for mostly international financial institutions.
Gaviola has a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and is a certified public accountant.
FortisTCI president and CEO Eddinton Powell said: "As we enter a new phase of business in the energy sector highly skilled talent will continue to be at the forefront of organisational success.
"I am particularly pleased that we have been able to promote from within because, across all four portfolios, these members of senior management have shown technical prowess, leadership growth and the capabilities and commitment to keep moving the Company in a forward direction.
"On behalf of the entire staff at FortisTCI, I am pleased to congratulate them on their professional and personal achievements."
FortisTCI has been restructured into three main divisions, corporate services; operations; and innovation, strategic planning and information, communications, technology.
Renowned Caribbean tourism expert lauds TCI tourism product
VINCENT Vanterpool-Wallace, former Bahamian tourism minister, former Secretary General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, has sung the praises of the Turks and Caicos Islands' impressive high end tourism product.
Speaking last week at a business outlook conference, hosted by FortisTCI, Vanterpool-Wallace urged TCI business, tourism and government leaders to ensure that the valued tourism product is protected and nurtured for its continued survival.
The former government minister, a much sought after speaker and advisor to both private companies and governments in the tourism and hospitality arena, spoke on the topic 'The future of tourism in an age of changing technology and business models – Airbandb/VRBO'.
The Harvard University graduate is also the founder of Bedford Baker Group, a collection of independent professional advisors offering services in travel, tourism and hospitality.
He has also served as a former director general of Bahamas Tourism.
The conference was held on Thursday, April 27, at The Shore Club, under the theme, 'Future ready: Opportunities for business in a changing economy'.
Examining why the Turks and Caicos Islands has been able to do so well in the area of tourism, even while surrounded by many other equally beautiful locales, Vanterpool-Wallace stated that the reason the TCI does so well is its decided advantage in the warm weather tourism.
However, he added that this description is not good enough: "When you look at what the Bahamas has to offer it is very similar kinds of basic products... and so you begin to try to figure out what else is there between what is happening in the Turks and Caicos and what is happening the Commonwealth and the Bahamas."
He also pointed to the concentration of tourism in Providenciales, positing a previously touted idea of the concept of 'business clusters'.
"When you begin to look at the Turks and Caicos very closely, you begin to notice something very significant - what you had happen here is a business cluster of investors who adopted a certain way of doing business and came together, by putting together a certain business model."
He then challenged the attendees to examine any of the other 30 countries in the Caribbean against the TCI and to try to find the same or a similar investors or business cluster as in the TCI, in terms of what they have put forward and how tourism in the country is grown.
"That is a very special and significant difference; but there is a little bit more to it, the other thing that you begin to see is something that is very different - and it is an even more important feature - what these investors did is that they created products that attracted a certain quality of customers.
"It became the gallery place for a certain high income group of families."
He further stated that the secret to this is very simple, 'Birds of a feather, flock together'.
"People who are looking for people like them to come to a particular place; that makes a difference.
"We all tend to gravitate to places where we feel comfortable among one another, and that is what happened here in Turks and Caicos.
"We have this group of investors who created a certain business model and they collectively began to attract a certain quality of people who are coming to a very upscale place, in terms of where they want to go, who they want to associate with."
He further noted that it is very important that the TCI continues to preserve the kind of tourism it has so that visitors will continue to recommend the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly Providenciales, to their friends and families.
The Knights & Flyers are tied 1 a piece in the PABA
The Defending champs, the Five Cays knights grounded the high flying Flyers in a closely fought game, resulting with a 78-73 in game two of the Paba finals.
The series is now tied 1-1 on Monday night.
Andujar Gardiner continued to build on his scoring record with 29 points, 3 steals, while Melvin Elsie added 20 pts, 1 steals for the Knights.
Anthony Cash amassed a total of 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals. Saundro Germain chipped in with a modest 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Game 3 will continue on Wednesday night 8 pm.
Lipstick and Things 2017 a huge success
LIPSTICKS and Things 2017 has been described as one of the most successful local events of the year so far.
The event which featured 28 vendors and more than 300 attendees was held at the Tropicana auditorium in Providenciales on Saturday (April 29).
The vendors ranged from hair suppliers, custom-made apparel, makeup brand suppliers, accessories suppliers and more.
CEO of Lipstick and Things, Jasmine Pierre explained that it all started because of a small business she has called Every Day Romance, where she provides customers with romantic setups for special occasions.
Pierre said that when she realised that she had many friends who were also entrepreneurs, she decided to reach out to them to host an event which featured local businesses.
The first Lipstick and Things was held in 2015 and grew as residents understood the concept behind it.
Pierre said: "The idea behind the event is to get small businesses out there so that they can test the market, promote themselves to the public, network and also find new ways to grow."
The CEO added that she was quite overwhelmed by the support received this year, but could not take all of the credit for the major success.
She acknowledged the vendors involved and said that she looks forward to next year and in seeing what new vendors will be coming on board.
She did not want to spoil the surprises for next year, but did mention that the event will be held at a larger venue and she will do her best to try and keep the creativity alive.
Owner of Konk Apparel, Lee Ingham, was one of the vendors featured at the event who stated that he has been a part of the event since inception and that he was always excited to not only showcase his products, but to see what other vendors had to offer.
He said: "Personally, I think it is a great thing because it gives young people a platform to showcase their talents. I definitely see this event growing."
PABA FINALS GAME 1 All Five Cays-2017
The much anticipated Paba finals 2017 can be dubbed the ALL FIVE CAYS FINALS! The five cays knights and five cays flyers best of five series lived up to its hype and expectations for the fans as the two Five Cays teams face off in a force and competitive battle in Saturday night.
The Flyers came off of grueling week of games after playing 3 games in one week to defeat the Predators only to face the rested Knights in game 1 on Saturday night.
The tired and exhausted Flyers found themselves in deficit trailing the knights by 26 points at the end of the half. The Flyers eventually found a new wave of energy mid way during the third after realizing that the score was 65-44 which forced Coach Keith Cox to call a very crucial timeout. Flyers Captain Anthony cash and Saundro Germain led a major comeback by unleashing a barrage of points both inside and from beyond the arc to cut into the knights lead.
The Knights were stunned and never managed to regain their composure but still put up a fight.
The fourth quarter was very dramatic and suspenseful for the fans who were kept at the edge of their seats or standing for the entire quarter. The Flyers came within 3 points on many occasions but the resilience of Melvin Elsie prevented the flyers from taking the lead. Eventually with 14 seconds left on the game clock Saundro Germain hit a big 3 pointer to give the Flyers the lead. Melvin Elsie of the Knights scored a crucial shot to with 7 seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime.
Flyers took command of the overtime period and eventually won the game 120-113.
Andujar Gardiner led the way for the knights with 36 points, 2 steals. 18 of his points came from beyond the arc. Melvin Elsie added 24 points to the Knights total.
Saundro Germain scored a season high 40 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals while Anthony Cash added 37 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists to the Flyers winning cause. Scoring also came from Jakee Been who chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 steals.