Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.  10 December 2023.  On Thursday 7^th December 2023, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) will be conducting a Regional level Outbreak Simulation Exercise (SimEx) with its Member States, and Regional Agencies.

“A regional SimEx is extremely valuable in emphasising the integrity of the Region’s existing response mechanisms, while revealing strengths and any weaknesses. This can then guide relevant persons in reinforcing the mechanisms and addressing any issues which may be noted during the exercise,” stated Dr Joy St. John, CARPHA Executive Director.

“Exercise Elkhorn” is a tabletop exercise carried out remotely by virtual connection and will focus on a single outbreak.  This approach will utilise a realistic, scripted scenario to assess plans, policies and other preparedness measures, through in-country group discussions and utilising problem-solving skills.

Over 36 participants representing Ministries of Health, and other government agencies, regional organisations, and project partners, will attend the exercise.

The aim of the SimEx is to improve preparedness and response capacities of health systems for public health emergencies in the Caribbean region.   The main objectives in the public health context are to:

• Assess the scope of the incident in keeping with National Multi-Hazard Plans;
• Validate how national leadership communicates and coordinates to facilitate decision-making;
• Assess the understanding of procedures for the mobilisation of national resources (including financial, human, procurement of medical supplies, etc).

Overall, this training exercise will provide participants the opportunity to review response procedures and test their countries’ established coordination and decision-making processes within a realistic scenario. Additionally, the exercise would seek to strengthen multisectoral collaboration and integrative surveillance towards achieving resilient and responsive mechanisms.

The Regional Simulation Exercise was developed as a deliverable of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Regional Health Project (P168539). The project through funding by the World Bank was implemented across four CARPHA Member States (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and by CARPHA and the OECS Commission. This Simulation Exercise is related to Component 2, subcomponent 2.2.1.6 – Simulation Exercise on responding to public health emergencies.

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

December 10, 2023 – As 2023 ends, global tourism is 90% back to pre-pandemic levels according to the UN world tourism organization,

In a November 30th press release the UNWTO said,  “An estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38% on the same months of 2022.”

The revelation is certainly heartening for tourism stakeholders and tourism dependent countries like the Turks and Caicos Islands.

June 2023 was the best month with 92% pre-pandemic levels being recorded. With increased travel came in increased income $1.4 trillion profit was recorded just shy of the 1.5 trillion recorded in 2019.

Caption: You can’t beat the bright colors of Puerto Plata! Picture perfect from corner-to-corner. Discover its fascinating history, rich culture, diverse natural attractions, and mouth-watering eateries.

Photo by GoDominicanRepublic

Dana Malcolm

Staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 10, 2023 – InterCaribbean Airways has a brand new homebase in the Southern Caribbean with the launch of full operations out of Barbados. The December 1 launch flight was attended by Lynden Gardiner, Founder of InterCaribbean and featured a special gift for those on board, free tickets!

The new hub will be run via partnership with Flight Support limited, also founded by Gardiner.  Flight Support already supports a number of other carriers in the region and the new Barbados base, 1605 kilometers from InterCaribbean’s home in the Turks and Caicos islands is said to be a catalyst for better operational control and efficiencies.

“Shifting from third-party contractors to the experienced Flight Support team, empowers the airline to deliver superior service, efficiency and reliability for travelers both in Barbados and connecting onwards throughout the region,” the company said in an October press release announcing the new service.

Mia Mottley,  Prime Minister of Barbados speaking at a welcome ceremony said,

“We are pleased with your decision to choose Barbados as a southern hub. This decision undoubtedly opens up more job opportunities for Barbadians.”

The company has had serious issues with delays and cancellations in the past years which they’ve committed to fixing.

Gardiner promised that having Flight Support Ltd with a presence in Barbados ‘will undoubtedly improve our reputation on reliability, and efficiency for service in this region.”