INLUENZA PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP: SEPT. 17 - ::The Official Turks and Caicos Islands Government Website::

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, September 11^th, 2009 - The current Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic, which has the potential to cause significant illness and death serves to remind us that we should always be prepared to deal with future influenza pandemics.

To this end, the Ministry of Health and Human Services is collaborating with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to develop a national program to strengthen the TCI’s capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to any such occurrence.

Stakeholders on every island from multiple sectors/disciplines are expected to participate. Dr. Barbara Carby and Dr. Damian Henry (PAHO Consultants) will be facilitating the workshop. The consultative process will cover a four-day period commencing on Monday September 14, 2009 at 8:30am at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex (Downtown Ball Park) in Providenciales, and climaxing in Grand Turk on Thursday September 17, 2009.

Presentations will be done on:

· National Disaster Plan

· Health Sector Disaster Management Plan

· National Influenza Pandemic Plan

· Lessons Learnt from the Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic.

Discussions will also be held on;

· Sections of Plans that need revision

· Proposed Simulation Exercise

· Elements and Sections of the Pandemic Plan to be tested.

· Roles and Responsibilities

These activities will be followed by the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for three (3) key areas:

· National Coordination

· Outbreak Response

· Hospital/Health Services Response to Surge

Turks and Caicos IslandsGOVERNMENT

Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT