The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to advise the public that the Migrant Health Unit will resume services as of Tuesday 31st May, 2022. The Unit will resume services from 9:00am to 2:00pm weekdays.

We also wish to remind the general public of our service schedule which will remain the same as it was prior to closing.

The Migrant Health Unit is asking persons who have previously paid for their Medical Certificates and have not yet collected them to please attend the Migrant Health Evaluation offices in Providenciales and Grand Turk for collection. Please bring with you a copy of your passport and payment receipt when attending for verification purposes.

The Immigration and Labor Departments will only be accepting the new version of the Certificate of Good Health. Therefore, persons who have already collected their certificates and have not yet submitted it to the Immigration or Labor Department are advised to return to the Migrant Health Unit for a reprint of the current version of certificate.

In a statement from the Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Jamell Robinson, Cabinet approved at its most recent meeting that “A 3-month moratorium has been granted on the requirement to submit a migrant health certificate for the renewal of work permits effective June 1-August 31 2022 with an option to extend a further 3 months.”

For further details and guidance on any of the above mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry via Ph. (649) 338-5063. Our staff remains committed to working along with the General Public to maintain a healthy environment and we anticipate your full cooperation in this matter.

Hon. Kyle Knowles MP and Solid Waste Task Force Chairman is elated to announce the beginning of dialogue for improvement of Solid Waste Management in the Turks and Caicos Islands via the newly established Solid Waste Task Force of which he has been appointed chairman. With Jasmin Walkin as Deputy Chairman, the Task Force consists of staff from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Health Department and the Public Works Department.

The multi-disciplinary task force conducted a site visit today at the Wheeland Landfill in an effort to gather information that will effectively resolve pressing issues affecting the community. In order to determine the best immediate course of action to address the ongoing solid waste situation, the team analyzed the condition of the site and explored the best ways of confronting existing problems at the site. Problems such as onsite burning, odour control, some operational procedures including security and best practices for trash disposal were analyzed. Some methods of investigation explored were air quality testing, wind direction monitoring, mapping of the entire site including active and inactive sections and the collection of baseline data through the investigation of current operational procedures for all sites. The discussion has been fruitful and several assignments will be carried out by members to support the team’s concerted effort for improvement.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services has also embarked on an Integrated Solid Waste Management Project co-funded by the Caribbean Development Bank to provide strategic planning and design of an improved Solid Waste Management System that will benefit all islands.

Hon. Knowles and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are committed to improving country wide Solid Waste Management and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Turks and Caicos Islands residents.

As a follow up to the Press Release issued on Thursday, 24th February 2022, captioned, Ministry of Health issues warning concerning powdered infant formulas manufactured by Abbott (Similac®, Alimentum®, and EleCare®), the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) wishes to inform the public that Abbott has since expanded the recall.

The voluntary recall affects one of Abbott’s manufacturing facilities located in Sturgis, Michigan, USA and involves one lot of Similac® PM 60/40 [Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot # 27032K800 (case)]. The recall occurred after Abbott became aware of an infant's death (who tested positive for the bacteria, Cronobacter sakazakii) following consumption of Similac® PM 60/40 from the abovementioned lot. The case remains under investigation.

The recall does not impact Abbott liquid formulas, powder formulas, or nutrition products from other facilities. Consumers are advised not to use this product or any of the previously recalled products [the 1st two digits of the code are 22 through 37, and the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2 with an expiration date of April 2022 or later (see picture below)].

Food contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Cronobacter sakazakii is commonly found in the environment and a variety of areas in the home. The bacteria have been associated with severe intestinal infections and blood poisonings (especially in newborns) and may cause rare bloodstream and central nervous system infections. The bacteria can cause fever, poor feeding, excessive crying, low energy, and other serious symptoms.

Therefore, the MoHHS implores all local healthcare facilities and other local suppliers to:

1. Immediately stop supplying the affected batches of the brands listed above.
2. Notify your overseas vendors.
3. Quarantine all remaining stock(s) of the identified brands for possible disposal by the Environmental Health Department.

Additionally, the MoHHS wishes to implore consumers to verify if they have any of these products in their possession. If so, they should stop using the affected products immediately and contact their respective local suppliers. Consumers may contact the Environmental Health Department at 338-2142 for more information on how best to dispose of these powdered formulas. If your child displays any of the symptoms listed above after consuming the recalled products, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

The MoHHS’ top priority is to ensure public health safety and will therefore continue to monitor this situation as investigations continue.

For further information, please contact the MoHHS at 338-3072.