"Healthcare is Failing in the Beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands"

Dear Editor,

Several weeks ago, an article by Sabrina Greene resonated deeply with many indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders. In it, she highlighted an uncomfortable truth: locals are increasingly marginalized, while those in positions of power place greater value on the opinions of outsiders—individuals who often lack a true understanding of the social, cultural, and economic realities of these islands.

This is not a partisan issue. I have experienced it under both PDM and PNP administrations, and most recently with the current Minister of Health. I write not as an observer, but as a Turks and Caicos Islander—one who is of the soil. I understand our eating habits, our historical relationship with physical activity, and the cultural influences that shape health behaviors across our communities. I know our people because I am one of them.

I bring over twenty-four years of experience in the healthcare industry, supported by an MBA in Health Administration, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, and specialization in Change Management within healthcare systems. I have held senior leadership roles at institutions including Memorial Hospital, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. My professional experience spans clinical operations, hospital administration, managed care, Medicare and Medicaid, oncology services, and the leadership of multidisciplinary clinical teams. Today, I work independently as a healthcare consultant.

Over the years, I have repeatedly offered my expertise to successive governments—past and present—without expectation of compensation. Those offers were ignored. Whether due to indifference or ego, the outcome remains the same: qualified local professionals are overlooked while foreign consultants are embraced at significant cost to the public purse.

This approach is deeply flawed. Those who are of the soil understand realities that cannot be learned through reports or short-term consultancies. We understand what food is accessible and affordable for the average household. We understand the gaps in school-based health education and the economic barriers that prevent many families from adopting healthier lifestyles, even when the desire exists.

I have remained silent for too long, but that silence has become exhausting. Our people are dying far too young. Chronic illness, late diagnoses, and preventable complications have become routine rather than rare. Too often, patients must be flown overseas—to Jamaica or the Cayman Islands—for care that should be available at home. There is no comprehensive, data-driven national strategy focused on prevention, early intervention, root-cause analysis, and long-term wellness.

This reality persists despite the fact that the country boasts substantial financial reserves. Each election cycle brings promises of healthcare reform, yet once the ballots are counted, those promises fade into inaction. The result is a healthcare system that continues to underperform while our people pay the ultimate price.

The question must be asked: how many more must die before meaningful change occurs? True reform will require humility, collaboration, and a willingness to listen—particularly to qualified professionals who are indigenous to these islands and understand the lived realities of our people.

In closing, the facts are undeniable. Our citizens are dying too young. Health education within our schools remains inadequate. Access to preventative care and wellness programs is limited, and recreational and community health infrastructure remains insufficient. At the same time, local expertise continues to be undervalued.

The time has come for our political leaders to set aside ego and prioritize outcomes. Our people deserve better, and the cost of continued inaction is measured in lives.

M. Martin, MBA, LBBH, CMS