June 20-26, 2020
NEWS 13
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Twenty Cuban doctors and nurses arrive in TCI BY OLIVIA ROSE A MEDICAL brigade from the Cuban Henry Reeve contingent arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday (June 15) to aid in the territory’s Covid-19 fight. The team’s arrival comes on the heels of in-country testing for Coronavirus which began recently. Although the territory was not severely affected in terms of a high number of hospital cases, the Government asked for external help when widespread community testing is conducted. Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams and Minister of Health Hon. Edwin Astwood welcomed the 20-member team at Providenciales International Airport. The group, which specialises in disaster situations and serious epidemics, includes eight medical specialists, a chief of brigade, 10 registered nurses and an administrative assistant. In keeping with health protocols, the team will undergo 14 days of quarantine. During that period, they will conduct virtual training with the TCI Hospital on their systems to ready themselves for full deployment on Monday, June 29. In a statement on Monday, Deputy Governor Anya Williams said the Government signed a three-month agreement with Cuba for the provision of additional medical support to the TCI. An option to extend for a further term is available if the need arises. She said: “Following several weeks of
Deputy Governor Anya Williams (in green on left) and Minister of Health Hon. Edwin Astwood (suited on right) welcome Cuban medical doctors at Providenciales International Airport
successful negotiations with the Cuban government, we are pleased to welcome the medical brigade to the Turks and Caicos Islands. “We extend our sincere thanks to the vice-minister in charge of international cooperation affairs in the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, Dr Marcia Cobas for her kind consideration as well the delegation at the Cuban Embassy in Jamaica, in
particular the head of mission ambassador Inez Flores Fernandez and her assistant Yasnay Perez as well as our colleagues at the British Embassy in Cuba for their direct assistance in progressing this initiative.” The deputy governor’s sentiments were echoed by Minister of Health Edwin Astwood who said his ministry is excited to embark on the new joint venture with
Cuba. “My ministry warmly welcomes the arrival of the Cuban medical brigade which will provide much needed additional support in response to the threat of the coronavirus in the TCI. “The arrival of the team coincides with the additional work that is being carried CONTINUED
CABINET MEETING SUMMARY WAIVER of NHIB late fees, expansion of the Covid-19 testing strategy and financial help for students on grant scholarships were all discussed at the latest meeting of the Cabinet. Governor Nigel Dakin chaired the 21st meeting of the year on Thursday, June 11, by videoconference. All ministers were present. At this meeting Cabinet: -Were updated on Covid-19 related activities being carried out by the Ministries of Health and Tourism including infrastructure upgrades in hospitals, a national testing strategy, policy for visitors and returning residents, increases in hospital staff, ongoing domestic engagement with the hotel and tourism sector, engagement with governments and organisations in the region and the provision of public advice (protocols). -Noted the Public Expenditure
and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment for the period 2016 to 2019, and agreed on an action plan prior to publication. -Approved a request from the NHIB to waive late fees/penalties for contributors for the months of March and April, which were due payable on April 14 and May 14. -Noted a paper setting out proposed National Culture and Heritage Policy and a Strategic Implementation Plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands for the period 2020-2029. -Approved an extension of waivers on import duties and customs processing fees as agreed under the Customs (Covid-19) (Duty Exemption) Order 2020 and the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (Waiver of Customs Processing Fee) Regulations 2020 from June 1 to 30 for essential food items and June 1 to
July 31 for sanitary items (face mask, hand sanitiser etc). -Noted and discussed next steps on an expanded testing strategy for Covid-19 to include symptomatic persons in the community or in healthcare facilities, healthcare workers at risk, contacts of a confirmed case, persons in congregated living settings (HMP, detention centre and wellness centres), persons going overseas as a part of the Treatment Abroad Programme and frontline workers. -Approved the extending of the transitional provision for practitioners under the Health Professions Ordinance 2016 with effect of June 10. -Approved amendments to Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 to permit travel for the purposes of domestic construction
and external visitors responding to essential work in response to the current pandemic. -Approved regulations under the Prison and Firearms Ordinances to allow trained prison and police officers to use pepper spray, mace and Tasers in the course of their duty. -Were updated on the recruitment and imminent arrival of health workers from Cuba in support of the Covid-19 pandemic. -Approved financial assistance for students on grant scholarships returning to TCI form the UK and expressed their gratitude for those within the Government responsible for the return of 114 TCI residents. -Were updated on plans by international airlines to resume flights to the TCI as of July 22. -Were updated on the recruitment of five permanent TCI Regiment staff.
16
