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JAMAICA: National Cancer Registry Launched

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#Kingston, December 12, 2018 – Jamaica – Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the National Cancer Registry (NCR) provides a critical tool in guiding the planning and implementation of cancer prevention and control programmes.  He noted that the population-based cancer registry, which covers the entire island, will actively collect information on all new cancer cases, including data on patient demographics and cancer type.

It will help to identify areas for research and to better understand risk factors and causes of cancer in Jamaica.

“(This will help) to describe the burden and distribution of cancer as well as to monitor the impact of cancer prevention and control activities, including screening and early detection,” Dr. Tufton said.

He was speaking at the launch of the registry at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in St. Andrew on December 11.

The NCR, which is to be available to the country’s four health regions, will store information such as the type of tumour, its location, the stage of the cancer and treatment as well as other essentials.

It forms part of a Caribbean and global initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Caribbean Public Health Agency to improve the availability of high-quality cancer data to guide decision-making to improve prevention, control and treatment of cancer.

Dr. Tufton said that the registry is in sync with the Ministry’s strategic priority, aimed at improving the quality of health information systems for the planning and management of health services.   He advised of plans in the upcoming year for an information system “which we have made significant advances on over the past year and a half”.

“We have a plan, we now have the resources and we will be rolling out an appropriate pilot, which we believe will aid, support and complement an initiative such as this one (the registry). For us, quality and accurate information is critical for effective decision-making, and when it comes to non-communicable diseases such as cancers, it is absolutely vital,” he said.

The Minister expressed gratitude to several entities, such as the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the Barbados Cancer Registry and the Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub for their partnership in providing technical support, equipment and capacity building.

Meanwhile, Advisor on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health at the PAHO/WHO, Dr. Michelle Harris, emphasised the importance of the registry, arguing that it is essential to the monitoring and evaluation of specific cancer control measures aimed at reducing the burden and suffering from the disease.

“Cancer registries provide a unique source of such information on the scale, profile and evolution of the local cancer burden. Jamaica has had a subnational cancer registry based at the University of the West Indies since 1958. PAHO is pleased to have supported the Ministry of Health in its effort to establish this national population-based cancer registry,” she said.

PAHO’s support, she added, included a cancer registry consultant, who travelled to the island last December to train and work with regional cancer registry teams to help to operationalise the NCR’s software.

For her part, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Yulit Gordon, described the registry as a “significant milestone” in Jamaica’s cancer prevention and control efforts and will equip the country with evidence-based information on all Jamaicans diagnosed with cancer.

“This data will enable us to develop key strategies to improve quality of care, reduce the number of premature deaths to the disease and the overall impact and burden that a cancer diagnosis places on our Jamaican families,” she said.

 

 

Release: JIS

Contact: Chad Bryan

 

Photo Captions:

Header: Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, displays the procedural manual of the National Cancer Registry (NCR) at the launch held at the Eden Gardens Wellness and Spa Resort in St. Andrew on December 11. Sharing the moment is Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries Prevention in the Health Ministry, Dr. Tamu Davidson. 

Insert: Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), observes a demonstration of the National Cancer Registry (NCR) by Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries Prevention in the Health Ministry, Dr. Tamu Davidson. Occasion was the launch of the NCR at Eden Gardens Wellness and Spa Resort in St. Andrew on December 11. Also looking on is Executive Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Yulit Gordon.

 

Dave Reid photos

 

 

 

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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