Providenciales and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands - March 31, 2026 - The Country Office supported the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in convening two national consultations to validate Policy Strategies on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing and Healthy Ageing. This marks an important step toward strengthening health and wellbeing across the life course.
The three-day consultations brought together government leaders, technical experts, civil society, and community representatives, including adolescents and older people. The meetings represented the culmination of six months of intensive technical cooperation, undertaken at the request of the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS).
The consultations provided a platform to validate strategic priorities, governance arrangements, financing considerations, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks for both policies.
Both strategies are grounded in a life course approach, recognizing that health outcomes are shaped across different stages of life. The Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Policy Strategy focuses on multisectoral action to address mental health, sexual and reproductive health, violence and injuries, and noncommunicable disease risk factors. The Healthy Ageing Policy Strategy emphasizes maintaining functional ability, independence, and quality of life through integrated care, age-friendly environments, and strengthened community support systems.
Aligned with global and regional frameworks, including the WHO Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents and the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, both strategies are anchored in a Primary Health Care approach to advance Universal Health.
The development process was led by MOHHS, with technical cooperation from PAHO/WHO and support from Dr. Carmeta Douglin, with regional oversight by Dr. Sonja Caffe and Dr. Patricia Morsch. The consultations enabled broad stakeholder validation, ensuring the strategies are evidence-based and responsive to national priorities.
“These consultations reflect the strong leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands in prioritizing health across the life course. PAHO remains committed to supporting implementation through practical, PHC-based actions that improve health outcomes and wellbeing” said Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative.
