TCI Hospital to hold Medical Conference to combat Non-Communicable Diseases NCDs

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – January 16th, 2023): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital will host its first hybrid Medical Conference under the theme, “Reducing the Burden of Chronic NCDs (Non-communicable Diseases)”.

At the Beaches Resort and Spa Conference Centre on the 27th and 28th of January 2023, local and international speakers will discuss the significant threat posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Caribbean region and internationally.

The two-day event developed for only Medical and Health professionals will cover a broad spectrum of topics such as: “Reducing the Burden of Chronic NCDs In the Turks and Caicos Islands Through Policy and Education – The Way Forward”, “Improving Patient Outcomes and Access and enhancing Self Care and Health Literacy Through Digital Health, Childhood Obesity, Chronic Kidney Disease”, amongst other clinical topics.

The keynote address, “The Epidemiology of Chronic NCDs in the Turks and Caicos Islands”, will be delivered by Dr Shandey Malcolm MPH; PhD.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that, as a Country, we increase our NCD response. Tragically, NCDs have contributed to increased mortality – specifically during and after the COVID -19 pandemic. This conference will not only support the TCI Hospital’s efforts to increase its NCD response, but through a continuous collaborative partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, private health facilities, and NGOs, we will be able to share ideas that will later help the healthcare providers to strengthen preventive and control strategies at the individual, family and community level”, said Dr Dawn Perry Ewing, Chief of Medical Services of The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital.

“We are honoured to play a role in this inaugural event which will be held annually, and expect that such a collaborative approach will lead to improved health outcomes for the Turks and Caicos Islands communities”, added Dr Perry-Ewing.

Chief of Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, said, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are responsible for 7 out of 10 of deaths worldwide, with 85% of premature NCD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization in their key facts on NCDs provide alarming global statistics heralding a call for action with their report showing cardiovascular diseases accounting for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths. NCDs contribute to rising health care costs placing a significant socioeconomic strain on stretched health care resources and individual households”.

Dr Braithwaite-Tennant further explained, “This conference is one of many opportunities for ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogue and knowledge exchange as we continue to bolster our collaborative NCDs response aimed at preventing and reducing the impact within the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our ongoing focus on research seeks to add to the existing body of knowledge so that we can guide evidenced-based practice and adopt effective programs and policies that foster greater diversity, equity, inclusion and innovative people-centred strategies”.

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases are a group of conditions that are not passed from person to person and are mainly of long duration and progress slowly. NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic lower respiratory diseases, sickle cell disease, mental illness and injuries. They are mainly a result of a combination of genetic, environmental, behavioural and metabolic risk factors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, stress and overweight/obesity.

Health and Medical Professionals can register at tcimedicalconference.com.

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