The Ministry of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Immigration Department and the National Health Insurance Board is launching the Migrant Health Evaluation Program (MHEP) effective from April 2nd 2012.

It has long been recognized that there was a need for a more comprehensive health evaluation for persons wishing to work within the Turks and Caicos Islands. This stems from a need to ensure a healthy migrant work force and also to protect the population of the TCI from various communicable diseases. The aim of the MHEP is to screen all applicants for severe chronic illnesses or infectious diseases which may prove costly to the TCI healthcare system and may threaten the health of the resident population. Similar programs exist in many countries and it is hoped that this will bring the TCI up to date in this respect to ensure a healthy migrant workforce.

This program has been extensively discussed with and reviewed by members of the local medical community and will be expected to commence on April 2nd 2012. All individuals seeking to work in TCI from this date forward will need to undergo Migrant Health Evaluation by any registered physician in the TCI or internationally.

The health evaluation will consist of basic blood and radiological tests and a physical examination. The costs associated with this health evaluation are approximately $220 for adults and $90 per child under the age of 15. The cost will be the responsibility of the applicant. There may be additional associated costs, if additional tests are required. Applicants who are found to be medically fit will be issued a Certificate of Good Health (CoGH) by the Ministry of Health via the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB). Applicants will be required to pay an administrative fee of $20 to the NHIB upon collection of the CoGH. This CoGH will be valid for a period of three years. There will be no need to repeat these tests annually. The forms, which will be completed by all examining physicians whether local or from abroad, are available for download on both the NHIB and Immigration Department websites.