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JAMAICA: Health Ministry to Complete 14 Projects Valued at $740 Million This Fiscal Year

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#Kingston, June 6, 2018 – Jamaica – A total of 14 projects valued at over $740 million are slated to be completed by the Ministry of Health for the 2018/19 financial year.  Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure during his Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 5 under the theme ‘Taking Responsibility’.

The priority projects listed to be completed are equipping of the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston, expansion and equipping of the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas, upgrading of the elevators and the dietary departments at the Kingston Public and Spanish Town Hospitals, completion of a cardiac unit for the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and installation of medical gas at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland.

Others projects include upgrading of the sewage plant and refurbishing of the Stony Hill Health Centre, St. Andrew; infrastructure and roof repairs to the maternity/ delivery ward at Chapelton Hospital in Clarendon; procurement of critical equipment for health centres across the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA); and upgrading of the Spanish Town infirmary in partnership with the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation to address the long-stay patients at the Spanish Town Hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton noted that last year, nine “important projects” valued at $422 million were completed to address the infrastructural needs of health facilities.

They are the acquisition of trucks and infrastructural improvement at the Waste Management Treatment Plant, renovation of the Grange Hill Health Centre, Westmoreland; procurement of two mental health buses; roof repairs at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Manchester; renovation of staff quarters and demolition of old structure at the Buff Bay Community Health Centre in Portland; and renovation and expansion of the Linstead Public Hospital Accident and Emergency and Administrative Departments.

The Ministry also completed phase-two upgrading works at the Isaac Barrant Centre of Excellence in St. Thomas.

 

Release: JIS

 

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Barbados recognizes Palestine as sovereign

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Barbados has made a huge diplomatic move, recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state, as announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, according to a report from CBC News Barbados on Saturday April 20. This now aligns Barbados with other UN Member states which also recognise Palestine.

 

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Haiti death toll rises

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Haiti’s death toll is now up 53 percent with more than 2,500 people killed from January through March 2024, compared to the same time last year. This was reported by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH),  on Friday April 19. The organization expressed that gangs have changed their tactics, now targeting public institutions and important infrastructure such as the main Airport. Most of the violence is reportedly in the Capital Port Au Prince.

 

 

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U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS SHINES AS A PREMIER DESTINATION AT THE 2024 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL CONFERENCE

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St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) –April 11, 2024—The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington, traveled to Miami, Florida, to support Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other local partners agencies for the 2024 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference.
To kick off the week-long event, the Department of Tourism sponsored the highly anticipated Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) barbecue, which was hosted by Governor Bryan.
Revered as a steady leader in the Caribbean tourism industry, the USVI delegation, which also included the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company Limited, Magens Bay Authority, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employee Retirement System, showcased the territory and its growing accessibility around the cruise industry to key operators and businesses.
“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” explains Commissioner Boschulte.
Commissioner Boschulte was featured on the Caribbean Spotlight panel moderated by renowned industry leader and FCCA CEO Michelle Paige, who referenced the Commissioner being named the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year by Caribbean Journal and shared how exceptional the publication’s acknowledgment of his accolades are. Paige referenced Caribbean Journal’s spotlight paragraph reading, “No Caribbean destination has seen more growth in the last three years than the U.S. Virgin Islands, which kicked off a full-fledged tourism renaissance just after the onset of the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. And so much of that growth can be directly tied to the expert stewardship of Boschulte, who helped craft an innovative, flexible response to the challenges of the pandemic and has continued to drive the USVI’s performance with a data-driven, creative approach to modern tourism.”
Commissioner Boschulte and Deputy Commissioner Farrington joined Governor Bryan for meetings with leading cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Corporation & plc, amongst others, to discuss continued partnerships, expansion opportunities, and industry updates.
As the global cruise industry continues to restabilize following challenges incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Thomas and St. Croix experienced a 13% growth in 2023 over 2019, with West Indian Company Dock, Crown Bay Dock, and E. Abramson Marine Facility welcoming more than 1,600,000 passengers from 495 total calls for the year. With a 58% year-over-year passenger increase from 2022 to 2023, the USVI continues to grow and is projected to experience another 5% increase in cruise passenger arrivals in 2024.
Commissioner Boschulte also highlighted the remarkable success of the USVI and Caribbean region, stating, “I am proud to see the Caribbean’s appeal continue to captivate travelers. Our collaborative efforts with partners like FCCA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization underscore the unity of our region, ensuring unforgettable experiences for visitors while highlighting the unique strengths of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a safe, welcoming destination and a shared commitment to tourism, we embrace our role as an integral part of the Caribbean community.”
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

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