FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM:
THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE (TCI-GIS)
Office of Public Service Management
Grand Turk,
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tel: (649) 946-2801
Web: www.tcgov.tc
TRANSFER OF ACTING LABOUR COMMISSIONER:
A PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL & LABOUR
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Sunday, October 4th, 2009 - On
Friday, October 2, 2009 the Ministry of Border Control and Labour
transferred former Acting Labour Commissioner Mrs. Joan Sutton to the
Labour Tribunal in the capacity of Research Officer.
Contrary to a report made by WIV Channel 4 News the same day, the
decision to transfer Mrs. Sutton was not influenced by her
relationship with prominent hoteliers on the island of
Providenciales. Rather, there were a number of internal issues, which
the Ministry felt were having an undesirable effect on the management
and operation of the Labour Department and by extension, other
departments within the Ministry.
Mrs. Sutton is a well-intentioned member of staff with skills which we
feel is better suited in other areas, hence, her retention as a team
member in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour.
Mr. Alpheus Smith is the new Acting Labour Commissioner.
END
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM:
THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE (TCI-GIS)
Denard Sweeting
Information Officer
Office of Public Service Management
Providenciales,
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tel: (649) 946-2801, Ext 80007
Web: www.tcgov.tc
NHIP IS OFFICALLY LAUNCHED! COLLECTIONS TO START IN EARNEST
PROVIDENCIALES, Turk and Caicos Islands; October 2nd 2009 - Today
commemorates the official launch of enrolment into the National Health
Insurance Plan (NHIP), a plan that will provide quality and affordable
health care services for all legal residents and their dependants in
the Turks and Caicos Islands at the two new state-of-the-art hospitals
scheduled to open in April 2010, along with access to local and
international medical professionals.
To this regard, NHIP principals held a press call at their Salt Mills
conference room to update the public on the National Health Insurance
Plan, as well the progress on the two hospitals.
Members of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) in attendance
comprised of CEO Brian Hogan; Desiree James, Chief Financial Officer;
Chairman, John Smith; Dr. Rufus Ewing, Director of Health; Judith
Campbell, PS Ministry of Health, and Roger Cheeseman, CEO Inter-Health
Canada.
Benefits from the NHIP include all essential medical services, most of
which are provided by the new health care facilities managed by
Interhealth Canada on Grand Turk and Providenciales, access to the
primary care clinics which the Government is upgrading and will
continue to manage on the Outer Islands, and Government's continued
provision of public health services directly such as immunizations and
wellness programs.
Of the hospitals, Mr. Cheesman said: “As work continues, Grand Turk
hospital is projected to open ahead of schedule and staffing for both
hospitals are nearly complete - there are only a few positions left to
fill.”
The NHIB have been in contact with employers since its launch to begin
the enrollment process. It is expected that some 500-550 employer
groups to be contacted and work books and instructions delivered by
end of today’s business day, October 2nd. This process should account
for an estimated 20,000 workers to be enrolled in the National Health
Insurance Plan.
The cost of the NHIP is 2.5% of wages, where in which the employer
will contribute an additional 2.5% so that the total contributions
between employers and employees will be 5%. The first contributions to
the NHIP are due between November 1st and December 14th.
According to CEO Brian Hogan, the response to the NHIP has been
considerable with 220 companies participating in the soft enrolment.
NHIB’s Enrolment Officers have been recruited and trained. He noted
that employer groups that have not been contacted by October 8th are
encouraged to call NHIB.
What is more, NHIP Officers will be traveling throughout the Islands
to conduct enrollment in the coming weeks according to the following
schedule:
Middle Caicos: October 8th, 11am – 3pm
North Caicos: October 8th, 6:30pm - Evening Presentation on
NHIP
October 9th, 9am – 12:30pm - Bottle Creek
October 9th, 1pm – 4:30pm - Kew
South Caicos: October 13th, all day starting at 9:00am
Salt Cay: October 19th, all day - Salt Shed
starting at 10:00am
Grand Turk: October 20th, 6:00pm - Evening Presentation
on NHIP
October 21st. All day - Enrolment
The locations will be announced on radio.
The NHIB will also be hosting weekly meetings for companies and
individuals with questions on the plan and the enrolment process.
However, space is limited, and persons wishing to attend one of the
sessions should contact the NHIB office to register at 941.8861 or
941.5629.
For more information on the National Health Insurance Plan, kindly
log on to www.tcinhip.tc.
END