The Ministry of Health Agriculture and Human Services through its National Health Emergency Management Unit remains committed to providing a comprehensive approach to health emergency management in response to public health threats including natural and man-made disasters affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We recognize that we have to be in readiness for adequate response. We are not only in the hurricane path, but also have significant air traffic locally and internationally. Further, TCI is in the flight path for many Trans Atlantic and Caribbean flights. TCI also has a thriving Cruise Ship Industry with cruise ships docking in Grand Turk nearly every day. We operate ferry services between North Caicos and Providenciales, between South Caicos and Providenciales and between Salt Cay and Grand Turk. We also need to be IHR (International Health Regulations) compliant.

To this end, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services seeks to strengthen disaster and emergency management responses and build capacity through an intense training in Mass Casualty Management.

Twenty three persons have registered for this course. Participants are drawn from amongst the various response agencies. These include first responders such as Police Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Health Care workers from Primary Health Care and Environmental Health as well as the TCI Hospitals. Other agencies represented include District Administration Officers from Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos and Immigration Officers. Four local instructors will be recertified and six new Mass Casualty Instructors will be trained.

The Objectives of the Course are as follows:

1. To strengthen the capacity of the Turks and Caicos to respond to natural and man-made disasters.
2. To ensure health sector procedures, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood within the current public/private health care system
3. To enhance Intersectoral co-operation and collaboration.

The Mass Casualty Management Course is a didactic, multisectoral training course consisting of lectures, field exercises and roleplaying, designed to sharpen the response skills of mass casualty responders, to effectively manage events in human and/or other resources-challenged areas. It will culminate in a series of practical field exercises held at night to underscore nocturnal challenges. On successful completion, participants will be eligible for a certificate in Mass Casualty Management.

For more information contact the Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training on 3383064.

“Blood connects us all” this is the theme for world blood donor day 2016, which is celebrated across the world on June 14^th. It focuses on giving thanks to blood donors and highlights the dimension of ‘sharing’ and ‘connection’ between patients and blood donors.

The campaign seeks to motivate regular blood donors to continue giving blood and to also motivate people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so. Every year June 14^th is dedicated as Blood Donor Day and activities center around "thanking and celebrating voluntary non-remunerated blood donors" for giving blood to save a life. Campaigns occur worldwide to encourage individuals to be screened and become a part of the voluntary blood donors list in their respective countries.

Here in the Turks and Caicos Islands the Blood Bank will be commemorating this day with a number of activities including;

• Appearing on the Health Matters radio program on RTC on Monday June 13^thand on the Breakfast Club on Tuesday, June 14^th
• The Blood Bank will be hosting a blood donor drive and blood group screening.
• Promoting blood donations on social and traditional media.

We would like to encourage residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands to have their blood groups checked and become a part of the voluntary blood donors list.

Please visit the National Blood Bank at Cheshire Hall Medical Center or call us for additional information on 941-2800 Ext. 72106 or 338-5132

There has been a significant amount of rainfall recently and residents are reminded to remember the 3 D’s to the prevention of vector borne illnesses like Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya. The TCI has no reported cases of Zika let us keep It that way by eliminating all mosquito breeding sites.

Drain- Mosquito problems in your neighborhood or home are likely to come from water-filled containers that you can help to eliminate. All mosquitoes require water in which to breed. Be sure to drain any standing water around your house. • Dispose of any tires. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes. • Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers. • Clear roof gutters of debris. • Clean pet water dishes regularly. • Check and empty children’s toys. • Repair leaky outdoor faucets. • Canoes and other boats should be turned over. • Avoid water collecting on pool covers. • Empty water collected in tarps around the yard or on woodpiles. • Even the smallest of containers that can collect water can breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes. They don’t need much water to lay their eggs. (Bottles, barrels, buckets, overturned garbage can lids, etc.)

Dress- Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. Studies have shown that some of the 174 mosquito species in the United States are more attracted to dark clothing and most can readily bite through tight-fitting clothing of loose weave. When practical, wear long sleeves and pants.

Defend- Choose a mosquito repellent that has been reviewed, approved, and pose minimal risk for human safety when used according to label directions. Ensure that windows and doors have proper screening, use a mosquito net to cover beds when sleeping.

For more information contact the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 3382772 Grand Turk or 3384942 Providenciales.