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JAMAICA: Life-changing experience inspires mother’s career choice

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#Kingston, April 25, 2019 – Jamaica – St. Ann native, Simone Palmer, took the decision to become a practical nurse after undergoing a life-changing experience occasioned by her three-year-old daughter, Ashalae Grant, being diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

Ms. Palmer, who encountered financial and other challenges in the lead-up to her daughter’s surgery for the condition, which doctors diagnosed in 2015 when she was just a toddler, enrolled in a practical nursing course at the College of Hospitality and Vocational Skills in St. Ann’s Bay in January 2018.  She was encouraged to pursue a career in healthcare by staff at the Bustamante Hospital for Children’s paediatric cardiac centre in Kingston, to which Ashalae was transferred for surgery and follow-up treatment, after unsuccessful attempts at health facilities in St. Ann.

The centre, which is one of a kind in Jamaica, comprises a 10-bed intensive care unit and state-of-the-art biplane catheterisation lab.

“I watched the nurses and gained knowledge, and they also encouraged me to become a practical nurse,” Ms. Palmer tells JIS.

She notes that balancing studies and attending to her baby’s health simultaneously “was rough”, particularly in light of the anguish brought on by the extent of pre-surgery procedures, activities and associated costs, and Ashalae’s obvious discomfort, among other challenges. 

“I was in depression… I didn’t know what to do. But, she needed the surgery… so I had to endure,” she further informs.

Ms. Palmer tells JIS News, however, that she was able to complete her training and gain certification in January this year, an achievement that was complemented by the additional joy she experienced following Ashalae’s successful surgery.  She notes that the experience and training gained now enable her to identify the signs and symptoms associated with congenital heart disease and other ailments, and the knowledge to treat persons with same.

Ms. Palmer says she is proud of this achievement and the fact that Ashalae’s health is faring much better, pointing out that the youngster is better able to withstand the effect of illnesses such as the common cold.

“It’s really good to see her up and about. I [am seeing] the improvements [as a result of] the surgery. I am not panicking again when I see certain things happening to her. If she catches the common cold, I give her the normal medication. I know how to measure it and I know to monitor her,” the doting mother tells JIS News.

She further advises that Ashalae’s enrolment in school is aiding with her holistic development, and rejoices that she and her beloved baby are overcoming the odds.

Meanwhile, Ms. Palmer is among the parents welcoming the Bustamante Hospital paediatric cardiac centre’s opening, describing it as a modern and accommodative facility.  She tells JIS News that it is heartening to know that parents whose children have congenital heart disease now have a facility at their disposal to access the appropriate healthcare.

Between November 2017 and March 2019, doctors at the centre, which was officially opened recently by Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, performed 83 cardiac surgeries and catheterisation procedures. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Tufton indicated that there are currently about 400 children in Jamaica who were born with congenital heart-related diseases, of which some 200 require surgical intervention. The facility’s establishment, he added, is a response to those.

The Minister further informed that the Government and donors currently pay the cost for surgeries and other procedures provided at the centre, which range between US$2,000 and US$5,500.

Meanwhile, Ms. Palmer offers words of encouragement to the parents of children with severe illnesses.

“Take care of your little ones in their times of need. When God rewards you, thank Him, and always remember where you are coming from. Your test will be your testimony,” she says. 

Contact: Ainsworth Morris

Release: JIS

Photo Caption: Simone Palmer and daughter, Ashalae Grant, at the recent launch of the new state-of-the-art paediatric cardiac centre at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.

Photo: Rudranath Fraser

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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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