Carrington lauds US-based TPA service to Tobago

Health Secretary Dr Agatha Carrington welcomed the visit by members of the non-government organisation, Trinbago Progressive Association of the USA Inc (TPA), to Tobago, lauding their services to residents and announcing that a Memorandum of Understanding was in the works to formalise arrangements for outreach healthcare services.

At a welcome reception on July 16 at the Fairways Restaurant and Golf Lounge in Lowlands, Carrington described the team’s current visit as timely, noting that Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles encourages collaboration as “a strategy for greater delivery.”

“The Division will leverage the support of the Trinbago Progressive Association in improving (treatment of) non-communicable diseases in the population,” she said, adding that data collected by the TPA would be useful in planning required interventions.

TPA is a non-governmental organisation that sponsors teams of healthcare professionals and other volunteers on medical missions to Trinidad and Tobago. This current visit marks their 10th Medical Mission Outreach to Tobago in as many years. The Association was founded by the late Dr George Oliver Phillips and is incorporated in the State of New York as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation.

Dianne Baker-Henry, Administrator in the Division, in welcoming the TPA team, commended the spirit of volunteerism particularly in critical services, while Ingrid Melville, Chairman of the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA), praised the Association for “brain circulation in action.”

Melville explained her statement as meaning the opposite of brain drain, in that TPA members are returning to the island to transfer knowledge, skills and services to Tobagonians. She said the TRHA would support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Three - ‘good health and wellbeing.’

TPA President, Stephen Isaac, said members always boast about the love and hospitality they receive from Tobago people on their visits, and were happy to volunteer their expertise. He promised to share all data collected with the Division.

Meanwhile, Miriam Caesar-Moore, Director of Health, Tobago Mission of the SDA, brought greetings on behalf of her organisation, saying that she was eager to work with the TPA which “has a passion for Tobago and wants to keep Tobago healthy, safe and serene.” She also gave the commitment of the Tobago Mission of SDA to assist the group during their medical mission in Tobago.