TRINIDAD: April 15, 2016: The Ministry of Health, following consultation with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) wishes to provide an update on the latest confirmed Zika Virus Infection cases in Trinidad and Tobago. As of Friday, April 15th, 2016 there have been sixteen (16) confirmed cases in Trinidad. There are at this time, no confirmed cases in Tobago.
The newly confirmed cases are as follows:
· 35 year old female from St. Ann’s who presented with a rash, fever, generalized pains and conjunctivitis
· 30 year old male from Belmont who presented with a rash, fever and generalized pains
· 30 year old female from Diego Martin who presented with a rash, fever, generalized pains and conjunctivitis
The Ministry of Health continues to urge citizens to take steps to prevent the infection of themselves and their loved ones:
· Dispose of all unwanted containers/items in the yard or environs which can collect water and become mosquito breeding grounds.
· Cover water containers such as barrels, drums or buckets with a mosquito proof covering.
· Ensure that your drains and guttering allow the free flow of water.
· Empty and scrub the sides of water vases or use dirt or sand instead to support flowers.
· Cover extremities when out in the evenings.
· Use bed nets that are tightly tucked under the mattress for protection at night.
· Use insect repellent that contains DEET as an active ingredient.
Zika count rises to 16 in Trinidad
Tourism Minister: Visitor Arrivals Up
BARBADOS: Barbados has recorded an increase in visitors for this tourist season so far when compared with the same period last year.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, explained that while last season saw a record number of tourists coming to the island, the numbers for this year were “up” on that number.
He was speaking with Ambassador of Qatar to Barbados, Battal M. Al-Dosari, at his offices located in the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Complex, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael.
He added that there were currently just under 6,000 beds in the hotel sector in Barbados and the influx of tourists meant that there was a need to have additional “quality” hotel rooms.
According to the Minister, a Hyatt and a Wyndham were being added to the hotel stock, but there was also an opportunity for Qataris to invest in such properties.
Mr. Sealy also noted that he would like to see Barbados used as a hub or stopover for airlines out of Qatar. Listing the advantages of such a proposal, he stated that Barbados had “hub status” and that the runway at the Grantley Adams International Airport was currently able to land almost any plane, and, after the scheduled upgrading of the tarmac, would be able to accommodate any aircraft.
The Minister also told the Ambassador that among plans to develop the industry and increase visitor spend was the expansion of duty free shopping facilities at the sea port, which would be open to all visitors to the island.
Ambassador Al-Dosari updated Mr. Sealy on plans for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Qatar. He also discussed oil prices and explained that while Qatar was a major exporter of oil, the country was the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world.
kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb
Health Minister attends Mt Hope Postgraduate Lecture Series
TRINIDAD: April 15, 2016: The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health attended the culmination of the Mt. Hope Postgraduate Lecture Series on April 12, 2016 at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital. The series comprised presentations from different post graduate students on topics that included H1N1- its impact on pregnancy and protocols for dealing with suspected cases, Breastfeeding, Vaccination, Zika and Microcephaly.
In addressing those assembled, Minister Deyalsingh indicated that there was a need to institute policy measures to effectively treat with these public health issues. Speaking specifically to maternal mortality rates, the Minister expressed that if Trinidad and Tobago is to effectively impact this problem, then clinical and non clinical measures need to be examined. In this vein, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has been invited to partner with the Ministry in developing strategies.
Minister Deyalsingh has also committed to re-establishing a Quality Department within the Ministry of Health and holding the Regional Health Authorities responsible for submitting a weekly Quality Issue Report and a monthly Adverse Effects Report.
The Ministry of Health supports initiatives such as these that yield inputs, ideas and innovations that will lead to the improvement of service delivery in the public healthcare system.
Plans well underway for St. Kitts and Nevis’ hosting of CPL games
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 15, 2016 (SKNIS): Chief Operating Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis (SKN) Patriots, Richard Berridge, has revealed that several marketing initiatives will be rolled out very shortly in preparation for St. Kitts and Nevis’ hosting of several matches of the 2016 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) Tournament.
The matches are scheduled to take place June 30, July 02, 03 and 05, 2016.
“There are a number of new marketing initiatives which will be executed between now and our first match which is scheduled against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on the 30th of June at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium,” Mr. Berridge said. “Tickets are already available online via sknpatriots.comfor the south stands and the west mound. The Carib Brewery Party Stand and the VIP Party Stand tickets will go on sale shortly as we finalize arrangements.”
Mr. Berridge relayed that internationally CPL has become the most popular form of cricket, with the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup final between England and West Indies attracting a global television audience of over five million viewers. The overall television and social media leverage was recorded to be 1.2 million, making it the largest ever made for a single cricket match.
The Chief Operating Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots outlined the expectations for this year’s CPL T20 Tournament.
“As it relates to CPL 2016, we are expecting over 100 million fans to view our games all around the world, and in just four short years, CPL has already become the second most popular T20 professional league in the world,” Mr. Berridge said. “Fortunately, for local cricket fans and for the local economy, a T20 cricket partnership was forged through an agreement between three commercial investors and the Federal Government which has produced the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots CPL Franchise, which has its home ground at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium.”
Greetings were brought from the three SKN Partiots owners Uday Nayak, Mohammed Ansari and Nirvan Veerasamy.
CPL released that the 2015 tournament had a total direct economic impact on the St. Kitts and Nevis economy of US$11.3 million which was an increase of 33 percent over 2014. The tourism marketing impact every time the SKN Patriots was televised around the world, was valued at US$5.3 million in 2015.
Too Long To Reform Legal Profession Act
BARBADOS: Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, is unhappy with the length of time being taken to reform this country’s Legal Profession Act.
Stating that he had dialogue with three Bar Presidents since he took up the post as Attorney General back in October 2010, Mr. Brathwaite, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, indicated that he has given himself the “very tight deadline” that the new law will be enacted by the end of this year.
He made these comments on Thursday as he gave remarks at the opening of two lectures hosted by the Impact Justice Project and the Office of the Attorney General, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Acknowledging that the Bar had requested that he give them by the end of June to comment on the draft that was sent to them, Mr. Brathwaite noted that while he had said ‘yes,’ to their request, he really would like for the Bar to comment on policy and to let him know what they are proposing “makes sense.”
“I really don’t want you (the Bar) at this point in time to tell me that we have left out a comma here or that X word is spelt incorrectly, etc…There are only a couple of areas that we are reforming – the issue which we are going to discuss here now – Continuing Legal Professional Education, how do we do that? Does the Bar have the ability to do it themselves?” the Attorney General queried.
He further indicated that he suggested at a Council of Legal Education meeting last year, that it might be something that the Council may want to undertake so they had common standards across the region. Mr. Brathwaite cited as an example the Bar Association of Grenada, and noted that they may not have the numbers to do it or manage it.
He stated: “Can we have common standards? Jamaica has already done it. Do we go to Jamaica and say, “Well, let’s see what you have done?” and adopt what they have done, so, that if they have a programme in evidence, do we need to change what they have done or can we adopt it etc…That’s the kind of things that I want discussed.”
He also queried the use of indemnity insurance given the significant cost, and told his audience, which included members of the legal profession and various stakeholders, if we should require all attorneys to have indemnity insurance, when it was recognised that some attorneys would not be able to afford it.
“…Do we require that attorneys who have indemnity insurance be able to say to clients that they have the insurance and those who don’t have to disclose that they don’t have it? That is the kind of feedback that I want you to give me. So, I am putting you on notice that… I will take a new Legal Profession Act to Parliament towards the end of the year. That is my promise and pledge to you,” he asserted.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
Consumer Affairs Division: Be educated… Be empowered
TRINIDAD: April 15, 2016: This week, the Consumer Affairs Division published a price survey of one hundred and sixteen (116) items across forty – 
two (42) supermarkets in twenty (20) areas in Trinidad. The selected products, which impact consumers across all income groups, were derived from a Basket of Goods Survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Division in 2014. The Division continues to use this basket of selected goods to monitor prices on a monthly basis and ensures to inform the Public accordingly.
In keeping with the on-going education drive, the Consumer Affairs Advocates have been visiting organizations in the North, South, East and Central parts of Trinidad. Some of the organizations include; the Environmental Management Authority (South), Princes Town Public Library, Debe Public Library, Arima Central Secondary School and the National Library and Information System (NALIS). Consumers were all educated about their rights and responsibilities and as a result are now empowered to make the right choices. The modern consumer is entitled to the right of access to essential goods, service, healthcare and sanitation; the right to a healthy environment and sustainable environment and the right to consumer education.
If you are interested in having a team of Advocates visit your Organization, please contact the Consumer Affairs Division via Facebook (consumeraffairstt) or send an e-mail to consumeraffairsdivision@gov.tt.
Castries Wheelchair Access Project
ST. LUCIA: A total of 15 access ramps equipped with hand rails will be constructed along various streets in the City of Castries.
The Government of Saint Lucia is embarking on the construction of wheelchair ramps in the City of Castries to improve accessibility for differently-abled persons within the city circuit.
The project will be financed by the Constituency Development Program (CDP) and will be supervised by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport.
A total of 15 access ramps equipped with hand rails will be constructed along various streets in the City of Castries. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines will be adopted as the standard for the Wheelchair Access Project.
The project will cost approximately $180,000.00 and is expected to change the physical and social character of the city and ensure that the differently-abled have physical access to buildings and other spaces that are used by the public, as well as changes to ensure their access to employment, services and civil participation.
The Government of Saint Lucia will ensure that the relevant stakeholders and emergency and safety agencies are informed of this project in an effort to safeguard and minimize the possibility of emergencies.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport solicits the cooperation and patience of the commercial houses, pedestrians and the general public and wishes to apologize for any inconvenience which may be caused during the project implementation.
Tourism education awareness programme to start in september in three pilot schools
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 15, 2016 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Nevis Ministry of Tourism, held a Tourism Education Planning Meeting specifically for principals of the three pilot schools which will be implementing the Tourism Education and Awareness Programme in September, 2016.
This was a follow-up meeting to a Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) facilitated workshop for teachers of the three pilot schools: Basseterre High, Dr. William Connor and the Sandy Point Primary School.
The workshop aimed at providing training and sensitization for education officials on exactly what tourism is, and how and what it contributes to lives and livelihoods individually and collectively here in St. Kitts. Also discussed were the sustainable methods and practices the country can employ as a people and as a destination to ensure that the country is prepared to manage this industry and maximize the benefits to be derived from it. Ways to share all of the information with students and communities so they are properly informed to meet the necessary job and career choices and decisions and adopt the necessary attitudes that will safeguard and preserve the industry was also discussed.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Carlene Henry-Morton, stated that the ministry “wholeheartedly endorses and is very excited about this programme,” adding that “We long to see it introduced in all of our schools sooner rather than later.”
“We are doing all in our power now to meaningfully engage our young men and women, our students and equip them to take the reins to understand the inner workings of this very important industry that is so entrenched and for the foreseeable future will continue to be entrenched in our way of life,” said the permanent secretary. “Our youth are critical to a sustainable, vibrant, dynamic tourism industry and that is exactly what the tourism education awareness programme is about.”
Mrs. Henry-Morton said that it is a people centred approach to tourism sector development and expansion and advocates an agenda of inclusion and capacity building. “As outlined in the project proposal, we agreed that tourism is the main pillar of socioeconomic development for the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Debbie Isaac, Senior Education Officer, stated that since the closing of the sugar industry in July 2005, the government has relied increasingly on tourism to stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life of its citizens.
“As a result, the Ministry of Tourism has taken this opportunity to create a greater awareness of this industry and its importance in the development of our economy for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Mrs. Isaac. “The Ministry of Education strongly supports this initiative and would hope not only the three schools that are piloting the project be exposed to it but all our schools should be able to come on board.”
She added that there are a number of misconceptions of the tourism industry including that tourists have to be of a certain colour and that all tourists are wealthy. The Senior Education Officer said that formal education on tourism’s impact on society would serve to dismantle some of the inaccurate concepts and ideas.
“That is why tourism education is very important as we advance in the future.”
She congratulated the visionaries of the project and said that it is hoped that it will lead to greater successes in the Ministry of Tourism in the future.
Minister of National Security affirms Gov't $1Million Compensation Package
TRINIDAD: April 15, 2016: The Minister of National Security Major General (Ret’d) Edmund Dillon, the Minister under whose authority the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) and the Protective Services fall, wishes to categorically state that this caring Government will honour the $1 million compensation package proposed by the previous administration to families of all members of the services slain in the line of duty.
Minister Dillon wishes to clearly highlight that the $1 million compensation package will be paid to all of the following agencies: Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS).
It must be noted that this government recognizes the sacrifices that these men and women make on a daily basis to defend and protect the citizens of our country.
In September 2014, the previous Government had accepted the proposal from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to pay $1 million to relatives of any member of the Protective Services killed in the line of duty. However, there has been no disbursement of the promised payment to date notwithstanding the death of Police Constable Sherman Maynard who was on duty outside the Port of Spain Prison on July 24, 2015.
The Minister of National Security is committed to putting in place the mechanism to get the Cabinet approval to effect the payment to family members of officers killed in duty.
Southern Farmers Market April 29 & 30
BARBADOS: The public is invited to support local farmers at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation’s (BADMC) Southern Farmers’ Market, onFriday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.
The market will be held at Fairy Valley Plantation House, next to the DHL Building, in Christ Church from7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Patrons can purchase a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and fresh eggs; an assortment of Carmeta’s products; as well as jewellery, a variety of preserves and Barbadian dishes at a great price.
On Friday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., patrons will be treated to a Customer Celebration Day, as part of the celebrations to launch the recently-refurbished onsite retail branch, Carmeta’s Farm & Factory Outlet.
Vendors and patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy free refreshments, finger foods, and instant in-store gifts of Carmeta’s products, as well as a chance to win up to $250 in free shopping from the outlet.
The Pine Hill Dairy primary school tours of the Farmers’ Market for students ages 7 to 11 have been revived, and interested schools are asked contact the BADMC’s Ann Griffith or Randal Banfield at 428-0250, to participate.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb
