PAHO Director participates in inauguration ceremony of Princess Alice Smart Hospital, Grenada
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne,
yesterday participated in the inauguration of the latest smart health care facility to
open in the Region of the Caribbean.
The Princess Alice Hospital is the first hospital to have been refitted to smart
standards in the Eastern Caribbean and the latest in the Caribbean Region as
a whole.
“The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards, so we must be serious
about climate change and this hospital is an example of how PAHO is contributing
to that,” said Dr. Etienne.
“Countries must provide an overall standard of care so that their people are safe
and well, but they must also be able to scale-up this care when they experience
a disaster,” she added.
The inauguration ceremony, which was also attended by Honourable Nickolas Steele,
Minister of Health in Grenada; Simone Banister, from UK Aid’s Department for
International Development and Shalini Jagnarine, the structural engineer from PAHO
responsible for the development of the Project, preceded a ribbon-cutting ceremony
and a tour of the refitted hospital facilities.
“Climate change and health are serious policy issues for Grenada,” said Honorable
Nickolas Steele. “The Ministry is committed to a safer, healthier and greener
community throughout the Caribbean.”
The smart standard refit implemented at the Princess Alice Hospital now include
protective shutters and a specialized roof; as well as energy-saving light fittings
and solar panels.
During the inauguration, an emphasis was placed on the importance of “safe”, “green”
and “maintenance” in the development of a smart health care facility. “It
is important to invest in smart hospitals, but it is just important that these
facilities and this investment is maintained,” said Dr. Daniel St. Louie, House
Officer at the Princess Alice Hospital.
Smart Hospitals
The Smart Hospital Project is an initiative financed by the UK’s Department for
International Development (DFID) and implemented through PAHO. The Organization
works with Ministries of Health in countries across the Eastern Caribbean to
construct and/or retrofit health facilities with the aim of improving disaster
resilience while saving energy and water.
The primary functions of smart health care facilities include protecting the lives
of patients and health care workers; reducing damage to hospital equipment
and infrastructure; providing health services under emergency conditions; using
scarce resources more efficiently; and improving strategies to adjust to future
hazards and climate change.
Education in Emergencies Training in Antigua
The UNICEF Eastern Caribbean staged the Education in Emergencies
training from October 1st – October 4th 2018 in Antigua. The objective
of the training was to build technical knowledge around Education in
Emergencies Preparedness and Response.
During the 4-day training that consisted of six sessions in each day
from the hours 8:30 am to 6:00 pm the attendees were able to attend
presentations and discussions on Caribbean Safe Initiative, Regional
Content, advances and challenges. The Comprehensive School Safety
Framework, Essential Humanitarian Standards and commitment for children
and adolescents were some of the areas of discussion.
The training discussed an increase understanding of the Minimum
Standards in Child Protection and Key Interventions. Each countries’
participants shared information on the protocol for Child Protection as
it is managed in their respective territories.
The training viewed the Caribbean Safe program, Education in Emergencies
plans, action plans for future collaboration among participating actors
to ensure preparedness, response and monitoring and evaluation. It
further discussed increased knowledge to access funds in events of
emergencies, increase knowledge of Antigua and Barbuda Declaration and
understanding of Ministerial Forum of 2019 action of St. Vincent and
Grenadines.
Turks and Caicos Islands Government Social Worker, Vanessa Williams was
in attendance.
The importance of sending a representative to such a
timely and important training allow the TCI to be up to par with its
neighbors and modernizing the country’s social development structure
which is already experiencing a rebirth in child protection and
safeguarding through the assistance of UNICEF.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development register
its continued gratitude to UNICEF for including the TCI in its ongoing
regional workshops which helps to enhance our service delivery and
strengthens of staff capacity.
Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen dead at 65
PAUL G. ALLEN, co-founder of Microsoft, died on Monday afternoon in
Seattle from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a statement from
his family said. He was 65.
Two weeks ago, Allen had tweeted that the illness, with which he was
initially diagnosed in 2009, had returned. "I've begun treatment & my
doctors are optimistic that I will see a good result. Appreciate the
support I've received & count on it as I fight this challenge," he
wrote.
Allen was the owner of the Seattle Seahawks football team and the
Portland Trailblazers basketball team; he was also a part-owner of the
Seattle Sounders soccer team. In addition, he founded Seattle's Museum
of Pop Culture, and was the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., which
managed his various business and charity efforts.
Allen and BILL GATES founded Microsoft in 1975. Allen's net worth, which
included some 100 million share of Microsoft, was estimated at over $20
billion dollars. He gave over two billion dollars over his lifetime to
charitable causes such as environmental conservation, the arts and
education.
In a statement, Microsoft Microsoft CEO SATYA NADELLA said, in part,
"Paul Allen's contributions to our company, our industry and to our
community are indispensable. As a co-founder of Microsoft, in his own
quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and
institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world."
Allen never married and had no children.
Tropical Storm Nadine expected to weaken
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCIES
(DDME) ADVISES:
…NADINE FORECAST TO BEGIN WEAKENING SOON…
AT 5:00AM EDT, THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM NADINE
WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.1°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 33.3° WEST OR
ABOUT 595 MILES WEST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS.
NADINE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH AND
THIS GENERAL MOTION IS ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. A
TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST OR WEST IS FORECAST TO OCCUR ON FRIDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 65 MILES PER
HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. GRADUAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS, AND NADINE IS FORECAST TO DEGENERATE INTO A TROUGH OF LOW
PRESSURE OVER THE WEEKEND.
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCIES
(DDME) WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND PROVIDE INFORMATION OF ANY CHANGES.
Local author releases empowering guide to finding Mr. Right
PROVIDENCIALES – Former Sales and Marketing executive, Jena Janse releases her first book, “Ring Ready: A Practical Playbook on how to Find, Keep and Marry Mr. Right.”
“Ring Ready” is written by a woman, for women sick of the status quo and scared of the statistics. It reminds readers to get everything they want without compromising everything that they are. This is a lesson on self-worth, self-love and God’s love.
Millennials aren’t marrying at the rate of previous generations. Regardless of Hollywood divorce rates and online trends, commitment is still an ultimate desire for millions of singles. The book features a foreword by three-time bestselling & award-winning author Enitan O. Bereola II.
“Whether you choose to be single or married, the journey to becoming a wife prepares you for the journey to becoming the best you.” –Enitan Bereola II
“Ring Ready” is now available exclusively on Amazon.com.
If you would like more information about this topic and for tour dates, please visit jenajanse.com
About the Author
Born in The Bahamas, raised in the Turks & Caicos and educated in the US, Europe and Asia - Jena Janse is a woman of the world. Although a colorful upbringing gained her international experience, she considers the Turks & Caicos her only home. The former Sales & Marketing manager turned entrepreneur enjoys serving a diverse community as a life strategist, consultant, writer and speaker. However, her favorite role so far is being a wife. She loves traveling, reading, sailing and tasting wine. Jena has a passion for people and lives by the mantra: if I had one wish, I would give people the ability to see themselves through God’s eyes - only then would they realize how magnificent they really are.
Each handpicked page prepares you to be the best version of yourself for yourself, your peers, your partner and your purpose. If you desire to marry, don’t dare close this book before saying, “I do.” If you’re undecided, you’ve gotten this far, so open up past the cover to the possibilities.
The only condition is this: don’t plan your wedding before you plan your marriage - otherwise prepare to plan for your divorce.
American Music Awards 2018: Winners List
It was a record-breaking night for Taylor Swift at the American Music Awards, held
live Tuesday night from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor opened the show with a performance of “I Did Something Bad,” and went on to
win three awards, bringing her lifetime total to 23 -- breaking Whitney Houston’s
record for most AMA wins by a female artist.
Here's a full list of the 2018 winners at the American Music Awards
Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift
Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock
Post Malone
Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift
Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock
Migos
Favorite Album Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift - Reputation
Favorite Song Pop/Rock
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug “Havana”
Favorite Male Artist Country
Kane Brown
Favorite Female Artist Country
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Duo or Group Country
Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Album - Country
Kane Brown - Kane Brown
Favorite Song - Country
Kane Brown “Heaven”
Favorite Artist - Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B
Favorite Album - Rap/Hip-Hop
Post Malone - Beerbongs & Bentlys
Favorite Song Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B - “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B
Khalid
Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B
Rihanna
Favorite Album - Soul/R&B
XXXTENTACION - 17
Favorite Song - Soul/R&B
Bruno Mars & Cardi B - “Finesse”
Tour of the Year
Taylor Swift
Favorite Music Video
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug - “Havana”
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock
Panic! At The Disco
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary
Shawn Mendes
Favorite Artist - Latin
Daddy Yankee
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle
Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music
Marshmello
Favorite Soundtrack
Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By
Favorite Social Artist of the Year Presented By Xfinity
BTS
New Artist of the Year Presented By Capital One ® Savor® Card
Camila Cabello
Collaboration of the Year
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug - “Havana”
CDB invests $20million in education and youth development in Saint Lucia
October 10, 2018, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is investing 20 million USD in education and youth development in Saint Lucia. On October 3, the Bank launched the Saint Lucia Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP) and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), at the Bay Gardens Hotel.
EQuIP aims to strengthen the island’s education system, through the expansion and rehabilitation of four selected institutions, and overall improvements in educational leadership and instructional effectiveness, including training for teachers, principals and education officers.
“These two projects are designed to holistically address a number of the risk factors for sub-optimal educational outcomes, crime and violence, as well as deviant and anti-social behaviour that are affecting youth in a number of schools and communities across Saint Lucia. Specifically, EQuIP is expected to improve quality, equity, efficiency and effectiveness of the education system, making it responsive to the needs of diverse learners,” said Dr. Idamay Denny, Portfolio Manager, CDB.
EQuIP will place emphasis on enhancing the support provided for children with special educational needs, by assessing the institutional and infrastructural improvements needed to provide quality education and equitable access to this vulnerable group.
“The fundamental reality is such that, when we provide a platform for every child to flourish within their own right, we as a nation succeed. This is the commitment of the Department of Education, and by extension, the Government of Saint Lucia,” said Dr. Gale T. C. Rigobert, Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations & Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia.
The other intervention, YEP, aims to support at-risk youth and their families, by expanding access to social services and developing new, targeted programmes.
“YEP will be implemented using an integrated, gender-responsive, social crime prevention approach that addresses some of the major challenges facing youth and families who are most disadvantaged and marginalised. This approach is critical to sustaining project benefits through the provision of multiple opportunities that facilitate social capital building and human capital formation,” said Dr. Denny.
The Project will focus on mitigating risk factors that can lead to criminal behavior, enhance employability, and support community safety and security. It will include the implementation of community-based programmes that will provide leadership development and training for participants.
The Hon. Lenard Montoute, acting Prime Minister and Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, noted that the Government of Saint Lucia is fully supporting both projects.
“Let us now focus our attention on the necessary steps for a successful outcome. I want to underscore the fact that it is time to act. We have real opportunity to empower and enrich the lives of our youth in a very significant way. Let us not waste it,” said Minister Montoute.
CDB provided funding of USD16.2 million (mn) for EQuIP, and USD3.7 mn for YEP. Both projects meet the Bank’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development; as well as its corporate priority of improving the quality of and access to education and training and citizen security.
Digicel Introduces New Quick Pick Bundles
Wednesday 10th October 2018 – Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands: Digicel has introduced new Quick Pick Bundles that put customers in control, giving them more of what they want. More data, more talk and even more options than ever before.
Prepaid customers can choose from new bundles that offer data, talk and text in one easy package giving them increased value and more to choose from. Digicel has added three new bundles to the three-day option and two additional bundles to the 30-day option, which means something for everyone, at every price point.
Customers also have the advantage of sharing and chatting to their hearts’ content on Digicel’s recently upgraded 4G/LTE network and they can keep unused data and talk time with rollover once a new Quick Pick Bundle is activated.
For all the social media lovers, Digicel has added three Social Bundles that give customers unlimited access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Whatsapp for one, three or seven days as an add on.
Calling it a “much needed revamp”, CEO of Digicel TCI, Addison Stoddard said, “We’re changing things. This is all about simplicity and putting our customers in control. Giving them more options so that they can choose what fits them best, while adding more value at the same time.”
As part of the Gimme More campaign Digicel will be hosting a Down Home Barbecue with a community building event, going a step further in giving customers more of what they want. The event will be held on Saturday 13th October 2018 at the Digicel Graceway House retail store in Providenciales from 12noon to 5pm. Digicel continues to provide the best for its customers and the best for the Turks & Caicos Islands.
NOTICE: Road Works in Grand Turk
NOTICE OF ROAD WORKS TO PALM GROVE, SOUTH AND NORTH BACK SALINA
AND OPEN CHANNEL DRAINAGE UPGRADE WORKS, GRAND TURK
Residents are asked to remove all derelict vihicles and any other valuable materials
or items which is in the road way should also be removed from the road edge to not
obstruct any activities. It is the owners responsibility to have these removed.
Residents are also asked to reduce the amount of times they thravel these routes
although right of way will be provided. This is to reduce the number of interferance
by the contractor. Residents are also asked to be cordial to surveyors who may have to
enter their property to obtain the correct boundary and implement correct markers.
The awarded contractor for this work is Island Drilling Ltd. and has confirmed working
with the general public to facilitate access throught the course of the project.
In the interest of safety, and in agreement with Turks and Caicos Government
and the relevant authorities, appropriate traffic management measures,
such as flag man and appropriate signage, will be implemented to direct and assit vehicle users
during this time. Residents are asked to drive with due care and consideration during the course
of this project as we facilitate the necsassary infrastrctural upgrades of our developing society.
Decision made on Fortis TCI Rate Increase Application
On July 11, 2018 FortisTCI Limited served on His Excellency, the Governor Dr. John Freeman a Rate Variation Application under section 34 of the Electricity Ordinance. The application requested an increase to the tariff of rates as a result of losses sustained after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and increased expenditure required for rapid rebuilding and recovery efforts. The request was for the making of Regulations to increase the tariff of rates to customers by
an average of 6.8% with immediate effect. The proposed rate increase was broken down by customer class as follows:
5.5% to 5.7% increase in tariff of rates for residential customers.
7.9% increase in tariff of rates for all other customer categories.
Regarding the Rate Variation Application submitted by FortisTCI, Section 34(3) of the Electricity Ordinance states:
(3) The Governor shall, within six weeks next following the date of service of a notice under subsection (1) by a public supplier, serve a notice on the public supplier giving his decision on the request made by the public supplier under that subsection.
Decision of the Governor
After considering the application, the Governor, on August 17th, 2018 served notice on Fortis TCI Limited, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Electricity Ordinance, refusing its application for an increase of the tariff rates. The refusal was based on the following reasons:
1.There is a lack of impartial and neutral information and assessments regarding the efficiency of investments as well as benchmarking with comparators regarding the real costs of providing electricity services in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as the allocation of those costs to customer groups to ensure fair and equitable pricing.
2. A cost of service study and prudency assessment will need to be conducted to enable an informed and reasonable decision to be made on the request for rate variation.
Fortis Response
On the 21st of August, 2018, Fortis TCI Limited, not being satisfied by the Governor’s response, served on His Excellency the Governor a notice requesting the appointment of a person to hold
an inquiry into the reasonableness of the rate Variation Application.
This notice by Fortis TCI Limited, is in accordance with section 34(4) of the Electricity Ordinance, which states; “Where a public supplier on whom a notice under subsection (3) has been served is not satisfied with the decision given by the Governor in that notice he may, within the twenty-one days next following the date of service of that notice, by a further notice in writing served on the Governor, request the Governor to appoint a person to hold an inquiry into the reasonableness of the proposals made by the public supplier as specified in the notice under
subsection (1) served by the supplier on the Governor.”
The procedures regarding electricity rate applications and the legal obligations of the Governor, are clearly set out in section 34 of the Electricity Ordinance. The Governor, having regard to these established procedures, responded to Fortis TCI request on the 25th of September, 2018, agreeing to appoint an independent expert to hold an inquiry into the reasonableness of the Rate Variation Application.
The details regarding the appointment of the independent expert inclusive of the date, time and venue for the holding of an inquiry will be published in the Gazette and announced using the various media outlets. The procedures will be guided by the Commission of Inquiries Ordinance and is designed to ensure the person appointed to hold the inquiry, has the same powers to summon witnesses to give evidence or produce documents, to take evidence on oath and to administer oaths or require the making of declarations.