fp Turks and Caicos

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 – The Grand Turk hospital was abuzz with activity today as members of the Grand Turk Red Cross paid a visit to the “Old Block” (geriatric ward); however, unbeknown to them, so too were Premier and Deputy Premier there on site visits.

The Turks and Caicos heads of state were in the nation’s capital to view again for themselves the tremendous destruction to the country’s first main health facility owing to the passage of Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Hanna last September. Premier and Minister for Development, Hon. Galmo Williams and Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Hon. Royal Robinson were taken aback as to the damages and the redevelopment efforts, and applauded how the staffers at the facility were providing care in buildings that are somewhat not as structurally sound as before the storms.

“Looking at the current facility that is there, my heart goes out not only to that patients that are there, but also the people that have to work there – its just reconfirmed to me that we are doing the right thing in constructing a modern facility that is badly needed,” said Premier Williams.

Edwin Astwood, Health Services Manager, Jackurlyn Sutton, Chief Nursing Officer, Matron Malek Cummings and Dr. Jayesiner, Director of Clinical Services took the Honourable Ministers, along with Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Norman Saunders, on the morning tour of the compound. They visited the maternity ward, general ward, geriatric unit, kitchen, damaged storeroom and a containment unit of any cases swine flu if it were to appear in the TCI.

The health practitioners informed the MPs how appreciative they were of them being there, as it was the case, they sometimes felt that not a lot is being done in the nation’s capital. “I hope that we can do as much as possible in the old facility in the few months to facilitate the patients and the people that have to work there, and that their environment can improve,” said Premier Williams. “It was really heart breaking to visit the facility and now I have a better idea - I will go back, and my team will look at what we can do to really make the space more enjoyable for them.” 

Of the old facility, Deputy Premier Robinson said: “We are going to look at what use we are going to make of the hospital, and of course, it will be medically related.” There are a number of options said the Health Minister, however, two ideas that are key are geriatric and psychiatric wards, as the space is small in the current facility, and by expanding it there, it’ll be more hospitable.

With the visit completed, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the geriatric ward, sang old songs of praise and worship with patients there and met with the TCI’s oldest living resident, 98 year old Cecilia Garland. Premier Williams thanked the patients for their tireless work in helping to get the TCI on its feet in those trying days; and Hon Robinson informed them that government will always care for its own, in particularly the elderly - who have made sacrifices in great measures.

Just 200 meters away, the delegation took the short journey to the new hospital that is under construction; and guiding them there were Brandon Richards, Production Manger and Kirkley Williams, Quality Surveyor of Johnston International the contraction company erecting the edifice, and Mr. George Commander, Director of Interhealth Canada, the Toronto based company that is developing the hospitals and will provide a comprehensive range of health services for the 25 years of the contract.

The facility, sitting on five and a half acres of land in West Road, shows the promise of what is to come. The hospital is of a similar design as to the Providenciales facility and also has a double box-structure in reinforced concrete, which can withstand the highest category hurricane. Moreover, the reception area will be soothing and inviting with art work; the different wards: accidents and emergencies, maternity, full pathology service, dialysis, laboratory, intensive care, pharmacy, radiology, surgery and medical intensive care unit. The hospital will have lots of natural light, as it is noted – will cut down on power service.

The two new hospitals being built in Grand Turk and Providenciales are designed to the latest standards, providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive health facilities and services such as a helipad; will go a long way with regard to addressing the ongoing challenge of providing quality healthcare to the people of the Turks and Caicos in a cost effective way; one which will safe the Government countless dollars in overseas treatment abroad.

Of the new facility, Premier Williams said that anyone who think that that facility is a bad idea, should visit it, and “for what I’ve seen today, and at completion, I’m sure we’ll have the best medical facility in the region, if not the world.”

Health care, like education is very important to emerging nations such as the TCI said the Hon. Minister for Development, as “with proper health care and education, we know that we can work, live and grow old in the best small country in the world; and we as a government have a commitment to ensure that our people can have access to the best health care at the most affordable prices and this is what this new facility can offer.”

THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE (TCI-GIS)

Office of the Premier, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-2801, ext. 40925