TCI’s health care professionals and modern public health

Apart from the threats of infectious diseases like the Covid-19 pandemic, there are a number of other lingering illnesses that are threatening the lives of our people in the TCI and have so for many years. What are we doing as a country to strengthen our resolve in these areas?

Having a state of the art hospital is futile, if and when we fail to provide the needed and best healthcare professionals. Granted, in comparison to other developing countries, I believe we have come a long way and there is no comparison in terms of the reasonable copay cost for treatment.

In retrospect, I would also be remiss if I fail to give kudos to our healthcare professionals for their extraordinary coordination of efforts and stellar response to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially given the scarcity of valuable resources.

Nevertheless, we should continue to seek ways and means to transform our healthcare system and ask what else can be done to improve the health and wellbeing of our population.

For example, with the growing

BY ED FORBES

concerned citizen of Grand Turk

threats of gun violence, we should be exploring the option of setting up an ICU or a trauma unit in Providenciales to help deal with the situation. Many more lives can be saved if victims have access to high level immediate medical care rather than succumbing to their injuries or having to be flown abroad.

To better improve the quality and length of life of our people, our leaders and medical professionals should always strive to avoid significant impact of diseases and trauma related illnesses by taking proactive steps. At the end of the day, it boils down to interventions.

Obesity, diabetes, prostrate and colorectal cancer all appears to be prevalent among many of our residents. The question some of our citizens are grappling with, is whether or not the country is operating at a level of preparedness and strategising how to prevent or mitigate current and future illnesses?

Infectious diseases such as the Covid-19 pandemic, could be one of many diseases lurking around the world. With that being a real possibility, are we doing everything within our financial means to be well positioned to bolster our resilience to these uncertainties?

At the same time, we should be ramping up support and treatment for existing diseases.

I was recently informed by an unnamed doctor that colonoscopy are now being reserved for emergency patients only. To say the least, this was very disheartening to hear. In my opinion, preventative care should be a primary focus.

As a matter of fact, we should be expanding prevention programmes, providing more patient and family support to more people in need, and further accelerate collective data to better treat patients.

Through early screening, we can ensure people are receiving the best treatments which will enable them to live longer and healthier lives together.

Of course one should take ownership of their health, but our medical team should also do their part to include monitoring the fitness level of patients. In a culture where often times we are hesitant to do annual wellness check, perhaps, going as far as setting up mobile clinics in disenfranchise neighbourhoods to reach those in underserved communities could help with early diagnosis.

Many of these residents may not be as health conscious or lack access to proper transportation services. Although it may not be as apparent, Post Covid-19 impact on the population’s mental and physical health and welfare is also a concern for many residents.

As a country, are we aligning the medical departments operations with the trends identified and boosting our resilience to these threats and concerns? The government should also focus on demanding from the hospitals more specialised care to deal with acute diseases, more highly trained service providers to include additional psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, optometrist, eye doctor, cardiologist, social workers and experienced nurse practitioners.

What we need is a common pursuit with purpose, like having these specialists readily available and not just on special occasions or certain days of the month which could shorten the wait time. We have to do better for the next generation and everyone affected by these various types of illnesses.

Hospitals and clinics should be a driver and catalyst for a whole new generation of more efficient services. They should be operating within a framework that encourages a culture to promote healthy living.

Through early screening, we can ensure people live longer and healthier lives together. With TCI having a public-private partnership agreement to manage our healthcare system, there should be more accountability and oversight to better serve the growing population.

It’s the right time to act and the need has never been more apparent to discuss and provide innovative solutions to solve some of our country’s healthcare challenges.