Health Minister and Human Services Hon. Shaun Malcolm led a delegation to sister British Overseas Territory Anguilla and the French Caribbean Island of St. Martin between March 17 and 23, as part of a learning and exchange mission focusing on Health Services Administration and Waste Management.
The delegation also comprised Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Solid Waste Task Force Hon. Kyle Knowles, Director of Health Policy and Planning, Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Head of Secretariat, Mrs. Marah Smith, Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer (Ag), Ms. Crivanne Adams, and Environmental Health Officer and CDB Integrated Solid Waste Management Project Coordinator, Ms. Tiffany Murray.
The purpose of these visits were to discuss the following:
Anguilla Health Services Authority as part of the Ministry’s Health sector reform initiative; and
Waste management and enhanced monitoring techniques and methodology utilized as part of Landfill Management in Anguilla and St. Martin, and to share best practices which may be adopted locally.
According to a statement from the Health Ministry, the TCI is continuing its efforts to improve Landfill Management System through the Environmental Health Department, adding that after reviewing current practices being implemented across the region, it was felt that having dialogue and site visits would provide an excellent opportunity to share techniques, challenges and solutions which may assist all parties involved to develop sustainable strategies and policies which will positively influence waste management in a more efficient and effective manner.
The delegation met with the Governor of Anguilla, H.E. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Premier and Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Ellis L. Webster, Permanent Secretary Health (Ag) Ms. Rochelle Rogers, and Chief Medical Officer –Dr. Aisha Andrewin. The discussions held were centered around Health Sector reform, Health financing, Mental Health, Chronic non-communicable disease burden, and specialized treatment abroad.
The delegation visited the country’s Department of Health Protection, which comprises of both the Environmental Health and Water Laboratory Units, where they gained insight and knowledge of their operations which includes waste management and water quality management.
The delegation also visited the island’s Landfill site where they were able to observe the day-to-day activities and the operational and management strategies implemented.
The delegation met with management personnel of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mr. Malcolm Webster, Chief Executive Officer (Ag), Dr. Lishaw Ward, Director of Medical Services, Nurse Alecia Haywood, Director Nursing Services of the Health Authority of Anguilla.
The Health Authority of Anguilla provides a range of medical services to the residents and visitors of Anguilla. Topics discussed were the delivery of medical services, human resources, procurement, access to medical care, health insurance coverage and treatment abroad.
The team conducted an insightful walk through of the Poly Clinic, and the Princess Alexandra Hospital facilities. These facilities included Maternity, Dental, Medical Laboratory, Pharmacy, Training room, Rehabilitation room, new Dialysis Center (under construction), Emergency/Waiting area and Laboratory facilities.
The delegation visited neighbouring St. Martin (French side) where they met with Vincent Berton, President of Prefecture de Saint-Barthelemy et de Saint-Martin, senior Ministerial officials and the landfill site Director, Mr. Maxime ARNAL.
Waste disposal management issues and practices in St Martin were the main agenda items were discussed and a lot of interesting discoveries were made. The site visits to the St. Martin Landfill operations provided an opportunity to observe the management practices, processes and recycling techniques such as dismantling cars, crushing of the metal, separating and crushing of glass, shredding of wood, sewage treatment, and treatment of medical waste using a microwave for sterilization.
The introduction of pyro gasification as a means of converting the waste to energy was also discussed.
The landfill site visits provided a great opportunity to gain much needed insight on the many methods available for effectively managing solid waste disposal which will enable the suitable adaptation of measures to best address waste disposal challenges in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Health sector reform is critical to address financial challenges associated with the delivery of health care that is equitable and sustainable.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is grateful to the Anguillan and St. Martin Ministries of Health for affording us the opportunity to visit these islands. The Minister also remarked, “As Minister of Health I am proud to say the visits to these two islands was not only fruitful but an eye opener.”