World Hypertension Day - Healthy Heart Beat – Healthy Blood Pressure
Friday May 17, was World Hypertension Day, this years theme is “Healthy Heart Beat, Healthy Blood Pressure.
The Ministry of Health will be hosting a number of health promotion activities for starting with the launch of Grand Turk Road street event on the 22nd May at 5:30pm in A Walk/Run/Cycle Event starting from Library Tennis Court, the Ministry will host a Mini Health Expo at Cheshire Hall and Cockburn Town Hospital on 24th May at 9:00am simultaneously.
World Hypertension Day is so important because globally, nearly one billion people have high blood pressure (hypertension); of these, two-thirds are in developing countries like the Turks and Caicos Islands. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer" because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not realize they have it; that is why it's important to get blood pressure checked regularly. World Hypertension day therefore provides a platform to sensitize the public about information on the prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension or high blood pressure has become such a topical issue and recognized internationally by the World Health Organization (WHO) who identified it as the leading cause of cardiovascular deaths and hence had dubbed it as the number one public health priority on World Health Day this last April under the theme “Control Your Blood Pressure”.
Therefore knowing about Hypertension is vital because signs and symptoms are often unnoticed, and global rates continues to increase and reflects that one in every three individuals is affected by high blood pressure which if left untreated can lead to fatal heart attacks, debilitating strokes, and chronic heart and kidney disease. Hypertension affects mainly persons of colour, persons with family history of hypertension or diabetes and persons who lead a sedentary lifestyle or who are overweight or physically inactive.
Interniza McCartney of Health Matters sat down with RTC and explained that high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. You can promote a healthy heart beat and a healthy blood pressure by ensuring that you practice the following lifestyle changes:
• Reducing salt in the diet
• Eating foods that are rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium
• Avoiding harmful use of alcohol
• Getting regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding tobacco use
For further information on Hypertension and a healthy heart, kindly contact the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Health Planning and Promotion Unit or any of our Primary Health Care Units throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands via Tel contact 649-946-2801.
North Korea Test-Fires 4th Short-Range Missile
North Korea fired its fourth short-range missile in the past two days into waters off its east coast on Sunday, despite calls for restraint from South Korea and other countries in the region, as well as the United Nations.
The latest launch into the Sea of Japan, confirmed by South Korean Defense Ministry officials, follows three coastal launches on Saturday that rattled the region.
North Korea routinely tests short-range missiles into coastal waters. But the latest launches, which analysts say may have included rockets from a new multiple launcher, come at a time of heightened North-South tensions. Since March, Pyongyang has repeatedly threatened to attack South Korea and threatened the United States with nuclear strikes.
A South Korean defense official said Saturday the North's intentions with the launches were not clear. He said South Korea's military was watching for any additional launches or other provocations.
The United States, Russia and the United Nations have all issued renewed calls for restraint from North Korea. A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry called the latest weapons tests a "deplorable" provocation.
Radical Islamist Killed in Tunisia Street Protests
Tunisian authorities say a street battle between radical Islamists and police has killed one Islamist protester on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis.
Authorities said the man, in his late 20s, died of injuries sustained in Sunday's fighting in the Etadhamen district. The radical activists, also known as Salafists, threw stones at Tunisian police to protest a government ban on their annual conference in the center of the country.
Police fired tear gas to break up the violent protest and arrested about 20 demonstrators.
Tunisian authorities deployed a heavy security presence in the central town of Kairouan to block the Salafist gathering, which had been scheduled for Sunday with thousands of activists expected to attend. Some Salafists in Kairouan also threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas.
The Tunisian government banned the conference by the Ansar al-Shariah group as a threat to public order. The group openly supports al-Qaida.
Ultraconservative Muslim groups have been trying to expand their influence in Tunisia. Secular Tunisians have expressed alarm, fearing the Salafists will try to impose their strict views on other people and undermine individual freedoms and democracy.
Afghanistan, India to Discuss Military Aid
Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans to discuss increased military aid with Indian officials during his visit this week to New Delhi.
The trip, which begins Monday, follows recent cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
A spokesman for the Afghan president says Mr. Karzai will ask for assistance for the strengthening of the country's military and security institutions.
Afghanistan and India signed a strategic partnership in 2011 which included India's training of Afghan forces as they prepare to takeover security from foreign troops in 2014.
Pakistan has also offered a strategic partnership to Afghanistan, but little progress has been made on the pact.
Earlier this month, border guards from Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged fire at a mountainous shared-border region. Both sides accuse the other of firing first.
Tensions are high between the neighbors over the deadly cross-border attacks, as well as, accusations by both that the other is harboring militant groups that easily cross the border and launch deadly attacks.
Funeral Held for Slain Pakistani Politician
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of a Pakistani politician shot dead in Karachi.
Zahra Shahid Hussain was killed late Saturday after being approached by two unknown gunmen outside her home in Karachi.
Pakistani politician and former cricket star Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, blamed Saturday's slaying of Zahra Shahid Hussain on the rival Muttahida Qaumi Movement party, or MQM.
The party has denied any involvement.
Zahra Hussain was a senior vice president of PTI, which finished third in last week's parliamentary election and accused MQM of vote-rigging.
Her funeral was held as Karachi held a partial re-vote Sunday in response to those claims.
Governor to attend leadership event in London
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd leaves the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to take part in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) annual leadership event today, Friday, 10 May 2013.
Todd will attend this event, which will take place in London from 13 -17 May, in his capacity as Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The principle session will be in the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on 14 May 2013.
The event is attended by UK Ministers; senior officials from the FCO and other Government Departments; and Governors of the UK Overseas Territories, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from around the world to discuss policy, activity and to share ideas and experience. There are also discussions with stakeholders including Parliamentarians, business and commentators.
The Governor will take the opportunity to meet UK Ministers to update them on the situation on TCI and lead one session in the margins of the main events where he provides a personal account of the challenges of leading a technocrat interim administration and returning TCI to self government.
Attorney General Huw Shepheard has been sworn in as Acting Governor until Sunday, 12 May, when the role will transfer to the Hon Anya Williams upon her return from the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Caribbean Head of Public Service Leaders conference in St Lucia followed by two days personal leave. This arrangement will continue until Governor Todd’s return to office on Monday, 20 May 2013.
AG CHAMBERS’ LAND DIVISION CONDUCTS LANDS ADMINISTRATION TRAINING PROGRAMME
Seventeen members of staff within the Land Registry, Crown Land Unit and The Survey & Mapping Department were today May 10, 2013 presented with Certificates of Participation after having successfully completed the first ever local Training in Land Administration Practices and Procedures.
The course was organised by the Commissioner of Lands with funding provided by the Overseas Territory Programme Fund (OTPF) of the Foreign and Commonwealth through the Governor’s Office.
In marking the Occasion, Governor Todd said: “This training initiative aligns with the UK Government’s goal to strengthen engagement between the Overseas Territories and the UK. It is about investing in people and building the technical capacity within the islands. We will continue to identify opportunities similar to these, to increase the capacity and expertise of the TCI public services”.
The course was deemed necessary as the AG’s chambers sought to “up-skill staff, with a view to improving efficiency of both the front and back offices of these Departments”. The programme was designed to equip staff of the Lands Division with a detailed and comprehensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of certain aspects of Land Law and practices at the Land Registry and the Crown Land Unit.
The Commissioner of Lands, Mrs. Tatum Clerveaux, said: “Our vision is to put service to the customer first, and what better way to do this, than to improve the knowledge base and skill set of our staff, in order to provide a better service”.
Mrs. Clerveaux added, “The training course has provided the participants with a better understanding of how the various statutes, including the Registered Land Ordinance, Stamp Duties Ordinance and the Crown Land Ordinance and concepts of land law relate to the daily operations. Equipped this knowledge staff will be more confident and analytical in solving land related problems. This should then result in an improvement in the turnaround time of documents and transactions lodged in both the Land Registry and the Crown Land Unit.”
The Attorney General also expressed his delighted in the success of the programme and noted that this training course was just one of several initiatives that planned to develop and encourage staff within the Lands Division.
Senior manager appointed to establish Office of the Premier and Tourism
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Office of the Premier and Ministry of Tourism is to be strengthened by the appointment of Permanent Secretary (PS) Wesley Clerveaux to oversee and develop its portfolio it was announced today, Friday, 10 May 2013.
The new joint office was set up by the Premier’s recent ministerial reshuffle. Clerveaux is to be transferred from his role as PS in the Ministry of Government Support Services (GSS) with effect from Monday, 13 May 2013.
He will be acting PS of the new office and will assist the Premier in overseeing all ministers and ministries in government, making use of his wealth of government knowledge and experience, having served several years in a range of ministries.
The permanent full-time rank and office of the senior civil servant in the Office of the Premier and Ministry of Tourism will be decided in the future.
This appointment was initiated by the Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, in consultation with Governor Ric Todd. The Premier Hon Rufus Ewing has also welcomed the move as a key aspect of his delivering on his manifesto commitments, and also to fully engage his Ministry in the budget planning process. It is the TCI Government's intention to present the budget to the House of Assembly in mid July.
Ian Astwood has been appointed as the Acting Permanent Secretary in GSS where he will be assisted by recently appointed Deputy Secretary Russell Cox.
Senior personnel changes in the Governor’s Office
Former Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government Chief Executive Patrick Boyle has been appointed the Director of Reform and Strategy in the Governor’s Office with effect from 1 July, it was announced today, Friday 10 May 2013.
Boyle takes over the role from Philip Rushbrook who is returning to his home department in the UK Cabinet Office at the end of his secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the TCI in June.
In addition to playing a central, senior role in managing the affairs of the Governor’s Office as the Deputy Head of Mission, Boyle will also be in charge of the FCO’s substantial technical assistance programme in the TCI. He has been developing this programme of support for the continuing public sector reforms in TCIG with the head of the TCI public service, Deputy Governor, the Hon Anya Williams, since standing down as TCIG Chief Executive of the Interim Administration.
The technical assistance programme invests in the people and government of the UK’s overseas territories to develop local skills and competencies, recognising that there is not the same opportunity for personal or professional development in countries with small populations as there are in larger jurisdictions.
“I am very pleased that we are able to provide such a senior level of continuity in the Governor’s Office,” said TCI Governor Ric Todd. “At this time of handover, I must reflect upon the crucial role that Philip Rushbrook has played here in the TCI over the past two years.
“That the country would see a return to democratically elected government in 2012 was by no means certain when Philip first arrived here in the summer of 2011. During this time he worked tirelessly with our team, colleagues in TCIG and elsewhere, to progress a hugely challenging body of work to ensure there was sufficient progress made against the eight milestones in order that UK Ministers were persuaded that fresh elections could take place.
“I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of his many friends, colleagues and acquaintances here in the TCI when I simply say thank you to Philip, a dedicated and professional public servant, for all of his hard work and support to me personally and to pay tribute to his significant contribution on TCI over the past two years. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish him all of the very best on his return to his ministry in Whitehall.”
RBC ROYAL BANK LAUNCHES RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE CAMPAIGN
RBC Royal Bank this week launched an exciting mortgage campaign designed to highlight the Bank’s local mortgage expertise and reinforce RBC’s position as a trusted partner for people in the market for a new home. The campaign tagline: - ‘We will meet you almost anywhere!’, emphasizes the ability and flexibility of RBC mortgage specialists to assist clients in making their home ownership dreams a reality. During the campaign, sales teams at RBC Royal Bank will offer the flexibility to meet prospective home owners anywhere they request and at any time that is most convenient for them.
The campaign, which started on May 6th, 2013, will run until August 31st, 2013 and will feature two mortgage products, The Conventional Residential Mortgage and The Residential Lot (Land) Loan. The Conventional Residential Mortgage is designed for the purchase or construction of residential buildings which are to be owner occupied. The Residential Lot (Land) Loan is structured for the purchase of a parcel of residential land for the purpose of eventually constructing an owner-occupied home.
The campaign was launched throughout The Bahamas and in The Turks & Caicos Islands. Campaign highlights include attractive mortgage rates, reduced legal fees, and pre-approved credit cards and consumer loans. All clients who are interested in obtaining a mortgage or land loan will receive a “Pre-Qualification” certificate. This certificate allows persons to go house or property hunting with ease and a full understanding of what loan amount they can qualify for. It can also be retained as a reminder that when the client is ready their home is awaiting them through easy financing at RBC. Customers whose mortgage applications are approved during the three-month campaign period will also be automatically entered to win prizes including appliances, furniture or free mortgage payments.
Toure Holder, Area Vice President for RBC Royal Bank, says the campaign aims to communicate to prospective home owners that they can find convenience and top notch expertise at RBC. He explained: - “RBC realizes that the acquisition of a home is usually the biggest investment a person makes in their lifetime. It is an exciting time, but we also realize it can be a very stressful time. Through providing sound advice, support and convenience, RBC wants to reduce the anxiety that so often goes into such a significant undertaking of property ownership.”