The Ophthalmology Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) today received a $100,000 donation from Williams Industries Inc., which will go towards the purchase of capital equipment for the department.
Health Minister John Boyce, thanked chairman and founder of Williams Industries Inc., Ralph “Bizzy” Williams, for his generous response to the third equipment prospectus launched by the QEH on September 16 under the theme: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Eye Surgical Theatre (QUEST).
Mr. Boyce explained that this theme was selected to focus attention on the completion of the third floor of the Lion’s Eye Care Caribbean Centre. Works will involve the re-commissioning of three operating rooms and three recovery rooms.
He said that the estimated cost of the fully-equipped theatres was BDS$2.5 million, and they will be outfitted with surgical tables, lamps, microscopes and equipment to manage patients with cataract, glaucoma and other small incision procedures.
Noting that much of the eye care today was done on an outpatient basis, he said that these technologies would further reduce lengths of hospital stay and, ultimately, hospital costs.
The Health Minister disclosed that the builder’s work for the project would be undertaken by the in-house engineering department at a cost of BDS$1 million.
“The vision is to develop services to meet all the needs of the resident population and leverage capacity to attract patients from outside Barbados. Medical tourism must become a more entrenched reality as overseas patients can obtain high quality procedures par excellence with a one to two-day turnabout,” Mr. Boyce maintained.
Cognizant of the damage brought on by the trough weather system in some areas of the country last Tuesday night, (November 1st), Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to work with Parliamentarians in the affected areas to immediately assess and ascertain the damage suffered by farmers due to the heavy rains and flooding.
Subsequent to the reports from the Ministry, Cabinet will move to compensate the affected farmers as soon as possible, within the constraints of the Government’s resources, so as to ensure that their livelihoods are restored in the shortest possible time.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Disaster Management wasted no time in issuing the order in the aftermath of the system, after being briefed by officials of the National Disaster Management Agency and the parliamentarians for the affected areas.
According to Dr. Mitchell, “we are just entering the holiday season and being the son of a former farmer, I am aware of how much this time of year means to farmers. They would have recently done extensive planting and would be looking forward to harvest and their livelihood to be able to have a good season, and this happens, unexpectedly.
I cannot in good conscience or leadership, not move to help them reclaim that hope and those plans, so that their families can enjoy the season.”
NADMA officials and Parliamentary Representatives in St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s and Carriacou have been on hand in the aftermath of the rains and floods, working with victims and assessing damage, to ensure that there is comprehensive management of the after-effects.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Disaster Management reiterates his concern for those affected by the unexpected weather system, and reassures all that the Government will continue to assist in their recovery as much as possible.
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in Partnership with the GIZ, The Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is hosting Belize’s First B2B Waste to Energy and Renewable Energy Fairat the Belize Biltmore Plaza, in Belize City on the 9th November, 2016. Event Highlight:Presentation of the“Potential Study on Producible biogas and renewable energy from biomass and organic waste in Belize”by TNO Consultants for GIZ / J-CCCP.
The business to business (B2B) fair will serve as:
A forum for waste to energy and renewable energy networking
An opportunity for stakeholders in the sector to learn about renewable energy,renewable energy & energy efficiency financingprograms and waste management solutions
The B2B fair is intended to:
Connect local renewable energy suppliers and financial organisations who support renewable energy solutions with local business owners and stakeholders
Improve the understanding that effectively managed waste can serve as an asset and how renewable energy applications can benefit businesses
Statisticians from across the region will soon be better equipped to measure and monitor effectively the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This is due to a training exercise to be hosted in Barbados by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.
The two-day CSME Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Framework Training Workshop starts on Monday, November 7th at the Accra Beach Hotel. This initiative is being facilitated under the 10th European Development Fund CSME and Economic Integration Programme.
Participants will be representatives from national and regional statistics offices who would be required to compile data on compliance with and implementation of the CSME regimes. The aim of the training is to create a self-sustaining mechanism by improving the capacity of these statisticians to use a standardized monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) framework.
Some of the topics that will be covered include MER systems and official statistics; MER framework and its structure; compliance indicators of the MER and the use of information and dissemination. Coming out of this training, it is anticipated that CSME-participating member states will have a strengthened capacity to assess and monitor the level of CSME implementation nationally. This should assist the proper functioning of the single market and economy since gaps can then be identified more quickly and appropriate steps taken to address these.
This workshop is being carried out as part of the capacity-building deliverable of the Consultancy for the Development of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Framework of the CSME.
Although excelling academically, women still have a greater role to play when it comes to leadership.
That was the view expressed by Executive Director of UN Women, Madame Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, when she recently visited this country’s Foreign Minister, Senator Maxine McClean, at her Culloden Road office. Also present at the meeting was Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, Luiza Carvalho, other UN officials and Chief of Protocol, Philip St. Hill. The Minister, agreeing with this view, pointed out that while females took the lead from a young age academically in Barbados, men were still dominant in terms of leadership positions, and this was very prevalent. During the discussion, which focused mainly on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the two officials also touched on gender studies; the lack of leadership among women; entrepreneurship; and the World Food Programme, which is searching for countries to cooperate with women farmers. On the topic of entrepreneurship, the Minister commented that she was interested in seeing women move away from lifestyle businesses and focusing instead on moving into the global market. She also noted that there was a stark difference between owning a business and being an entrepreneur. Madame Mlambo-Ngcuka also praised the Minister for taking the lead on issues affecting small island developing states, and the progress made on violence against women legislation. Haiti was also discussed, with both officials expressing dismay at the inability of the global community to provide more than emergency aid. Madame Mlambo-Ngcuka also took the opportunity to congratulate Barbados on its golden anniversary of Independence. UN Women, also known as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, was formed in July 2010 from a UN resolution that merged various UN Women’s agencies, particularly the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), as part of the UN reform process.
A five-day training course in Public Procurement will take place in Belize City on from 7th to 11th November, 2016 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The opening programme will start at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, 7th November, 2016. Director General, Leroy Almendarez will deliver opening remarks. Media houses are invited to attend the opening session. This course will benefit officials in Government Ministries, State tender boards and other agencies working in the field of Public Procurement. Enhanced knowledge of Public Procurement is vital in the context of Procurement reforms and bilateral trade agreements where Public Procurement is increasingly on the agenda, especially the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The course will equip the public officials participating with knowledge of the broader context within which national procurement policies operate and with the tools needed to develop professional procurement systems and practices. The course will also enhance policy makers’ expertise in the field and provide the means with which they can promote the use of international best practice in procurement. The training course is an output of the CARIFORUM-EU Capacity Building Project that is funded under the 10th EDF. The project’s overall objective is to support CARIFORUM Member States’ beneficial integration in the world economy. Specifically, it seeks to help Member States to implement their EPA commitments in the areas of Competition, Procurement and Customs and Trade Facilitation. A consortium led by Equinoccio (Spain) which includes the London School of Economics (UK), SGS (Netherlands) and Maastricht School of Management (Netherlands) is implementing the project.
CDB’s Monica La Bennett, Deputy Director, Corporate Planning (left) presents a new multi-functional printer and copier to Principal of the Eden Lodge Primary School , L. Orlando Jones, as some of the students look on.
On September 18, 2016 the pupils of the Eden Lodge Primary School had some added excitement at their morning assembly when a truck arrived to deliver a new multi-functional printer and copier.
The document system was a gift donated by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in response to a request by principal L. Orlando Jones.
According to Mr. Jones, the all-in-one printer was especially needed to assist the students of the Special Unit at the school but he also noted that it will be used as an educational resource for the entire student population.
CDB’s Monica La Bennett, Deputy Director, Corporate Planning, in presenting the gift, told the principal and pupils that CDB recognises the critical role that education plays in driving economic growth and development. This, she said, was why the Bank was happy to assist Eden Lodge Primary and also why each year it supports a number of education related initiatives in Barbados.
Up to November 1, 2016, the Bank, through its sponsorship programme, had donated more than BBD78,000 to educational institutions, charities, and other groups. The donations go towards meeting a number of needs, including equipment, school materials, scholarships, and travel expenses.
The most recent recipient was the Alexandra School Parent Teacher Association, which received four desktop computers for forwarding to the school.
At the start of the 2016-2017 academic year, CDB also handed over a donation of school supplies and stationery to Prison Fellowship Barbados. The supplies are distributed among children of inmates to help them succeed in the classroom.
The NCPC Youth Audio Visual Competition is currently inviting submissions of audio-visual pieces (of no longer than 15 minutes in length) on the subject of productivity and competitiveness challenges facing Saint Lucia and possible innovative solutions to these challenges.
The competition has among its main objectives, the dissemination and promotion of audio-visual pieces which tackle the issues of productivity and competiveness in Saint Lucia with a focus on increasing awareness of these issues, facilitating dialogue and finding solutions. This activity is also intended to support the discovery of creative expression as an inspiration for the development of the film and audio visual fields. Three winners will be chosen from among the submissions for the YouthAudio-Visual Competition by our panel of judges. The winning pieces will screened during the 2017 Piton International Film Festival. Winners can also expect some exciting prizes from our sponsors; Massy Stores (SLU) Ltd, CPR Direct and The Directors’ Institute of Media and Technology. This is a wonderful opportunity to lend your unique voice and ideas to critical challenges facing our local communities. If you would like to submit an audio-visual piece, please visit, https://ncpcstlucia.wordpress.com/2016/10/12/ncpc-youth-audio-visual-competition-unveiled/ for the Competition Guidelines. You may also visit the NCPC’s website www.stluciancpc.org, call 468-5571/468-5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com for more detailed information on the Competition. The NCPC has made the submission process very simple, visit our electronic platform athttp://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07edcwdoy3057fd092&llr=wsvxeybabto submit your entry. Entrants can shoot their films on mobile phones or any other device. Submissions are open until November 30th, 2016.
The island’s leading telecommunications and entertainment company, Digicel St. Lucia, is proud to be the title sponsor of what may singlehandedly be the largest and most diverse mass participation sporting event to be hosted here in St. Lucia, The Digicel St. Lucia Triathlon. To be held on November 19, 2016 in the tranquil surroundings of Rodney Bay and the picturesque Pigeon Island, the event will be fully powered by Digicel for the 4th consecutive year. Triathlons are among the world’s fastest growing sporting events attracting large numbers of surprisingly affluent participants. The Digicel St. Lucia triathlon encompassing the sporting disciplines of swimming, cycling and running and is expected to attract over 200 athletes together with health and sporting enthusiasts of varying levels of fitness from around the world. As title sponsor and partner, Digicel brings its strong brand recognition and networking reach to this event. “Our facilitation, which will be fully supported by a cadre of highly skilled and dedicated Digicel team members, involves a strategic partnership with John Lunt…the principal behind this initiative along with several other partners, many of whom we already have well established relationships with; like the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, tourism partners like the St. Lucia Tourist Board and other sporting associations. Digicel is once again proud to be associated with the triathlon and look forward to another successful event” said Country Manager for Digicel St. Lucia Siobhan James-Alexander. “The St. Lucia Triathlon affords us yet another opportunity to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to national sports development. This is an event that will no doubt require detailed planning and implementation across the board and Digicel we assure you, is perfectly poised to offer the technical and logistical support to power the various mobile, data, broadband and business solution platforms needed,” Mrs. Alexander-James added. “Once again having Digicel on board as title sponsor is a fantastic endorsement of the event now in its 4th year, “Be Extraordinary” fits perfectly with the sport of triathlon. It a tough sport and shows people can do extraordinary things when they put their mind to it” says Event Director John Lunt who organized the triathlon at the Olympic Games in London. He adds “ the distances are all achievable, the shortest – 200m swim, 3mile bike and 1.5 mile run make it ideal for your first triathlon, we will also have a number of children’s events on the day. Go to: tristlucia.com for details. “It’s a great honour to help stage an event on the beautiful island of St Lucia”. As a buildup to the event, Digicel’s support will also extend to include the use of its massive marketing and public relations machinery to help foster public buy-in and sensitize St. Lucians and indeed the region, and the world, to the significance of hosting this event. Digicel commends the organizers for expanding the event into the Caribbean and for selecting St. Lucia as the ideal destination. Digicel also wishes all of the athletes well as they display their extraordinary talents and abilities.
Thirty two (32) active and former officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force were recognized in an awards ceremony on Thursday (November 03) for “Long Service and Good Conduct.”
The ceremony held at the Ocean Terrace Inn under the patronage of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton was attended by the Honourable Ian Liburd in capacity as the acting Minister National Security, the Honourable Vincent Byron- Attorney General, members of the Judiciary, Government Officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, family members, Gazetted and other Officers of the Police Service.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ian Queeley told the gathered officers and guest that, “recognition and awards are critical to the morale of an organization,” and said, “this ceremony for me is timely and is special because it falls within our celebration of “Police Week”. He added, “Police week has been absent for a number of years and as we move forward, “Police Week” will continue and ceremonies like this today will be common place and timely.” and noted that, “this is our second award ceremony this year to recognize our officers for their many years, eighteen (18) and more of Long Service and Good Conduct while serving in the Police Service, the first ceremony was in May, and I’m delighted that we have been able to do another in such short order.”
Commissioner Queeley then expressed, “these officers are being recognized for eighteen years of long service and good conduct. They will come forward and have pinned on their chest, a medal “The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.”
“Long service, each of these officers would have served a minimum of eighteen years in our police service. Eighteen years of giving to our nation. Eighteen years of answering a nation’s call of maintaining security and citizen safety. Eighteen years of being steadfast in their commitment, loyal and being good followers and leaders. Eighteen years of making a difference each and every day, so our citizens could enjoy a safe federation. Eighteen years of missing family events because of duty. Eighteen years of leaving the comfort of home to serve and protect while others sleep,” said Commissioner Queeley as he described the significance of the award.
Commissioner Queeley then added, “this medal also exemplifies that these are men of honour, for doing the right thing, for not turning away from their duty because no one was there to see. Each of these officers have records that are of the highest standards. Their records are testament to their courage of doing the right thing…doing the right thing, everyday… in and out of uniform. Their records clearly shows that without compromise or prejudice they have served with honour. They have demonstrated good conduct.”
The Commissioner ended his remarks by also reminding the audience that the medal was also about sacrifice. “Sacrifice of years given to a nation”.
Gazzeted Officers receiving the award were Inspectors Conrad Bertie, James Sutton, Carla Wallace, Lanston Jeffers and Everette Mitchum. Police Sergeant Joel Caines, Corporal Stuart Henry and Police Constables Valentine Kelly, Lestin Wiltshire, Marva Huggins, Lewis Richardson, Esther Norford, Kevin Douglas, Ivas Hodge, Owen Browne, McKella Browne, Wayne Cranstoun, Leroy Fahie,, Avril Wilkin, Kervin Hutchinson, Cohan Liburd, Fitzroy Payne, and Constable Kervin Powell. Awards were also presented to Special Constables Charles Cornelius, Yasmine Belle and Sylvester Hutton. Retired Officers, Constable Ingle Liburd, Leslie Williams (Deceased), Elson Michael and Glenroy Stanley were also presented with their medals.
