Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Westmoreland Jamaica Exceeds Vaccination Target
#Jamaica, April 14, 2021 – Medical Officer of Health, Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell, says there was a high take-up of the AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at the vaccination blitz in Westmoreland on Sunday (April 11).
Dr. Johnson-Campbell, who managed the mass vaccination site at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Savanna-la-Mar, told JIS News that the parish exceeded the 1,000 target with 1,123 people receiving the vaccine on the day. She said that vaccination sites were also operated at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital and the Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre with those facilities, together, accounting for 356 of persons vaccinated.
Dr. Johnson-Campbell informed that the feedback from the public was positive, and there were no complaints or reports of negative reaction to the vaccine.
“The day has been very good. Persons were here from even 7:30 a.m… . There were persons who did not book appointments online but they walked in and we facilitated them,” she said.
Noting that vaccine hesitancy continues to be a growing challenge, Dr. Johnson-Campbell said that the evidence, to date, indicates that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe.
“So we encourage persons to come and get the vaccine. I have received the vaccine, and other members of the healthcare team, the elderly and a lot of other persons have been vaccinated and, to date, we have had no adverse effects,” she pointed out.
“We believe that the benefits of the vaccine far outweighs any risk that may be there, and we are looking to move forward with life as a result of having the vaccine, which is going to reduce mortality, reduce morbidity, reduce hospitalisation, reduce the illnesses that people may have,” she continued.
Meanwhile, State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, who visited the vaccination sites, told JIS News that she is pleased with the turnout, noting that there were no reports of glitches.
“Persons were excited to come out and get the vaccine and I hope that the entire country was just as happy to come out and get vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease. Ever since this deadly disease, we have been hearing the conspiracy theories… but I would say to Jamaicans, we know that COVID-19 is real and what it can do to the body, so I want to implore Jamaicans, once they reach the [targeted] age group to get vaccinated,” Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn said.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old teacher at the Little London High School, Moya Williams, who received her vaccination at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall, said that getting inoculated is the first step in helping the country return to some level of normality.
“I can’t wait to get back to normal and this is the first step. I like to go out, I like to socialise and I miss doing that, so why not get the vaccine. In addition… the sooner we resume face-to-face classes, the education system can have some sense of normality as well,” she said.
Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, also visited Westmoreland to observe the vaccination process.
Release: JIS
Contact: Nickieta Sterling
JIS Regional Office
Montego Bay
Caribbean News
Calvin James, Executive Director of PISLM, Extends Congratulations to The Honorable Stuart Young on His Appointment as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
St. George’s Grenada– March 17, 2025 – Executive Director for the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), Calvin James, extends his heartfelt congratulations to The Honorable Stuart Young SC on his swearing-in as the eighth Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which took place on Monday, March 17, 2025.
“We are honored to witness a new chapter for the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago and are confident that Young’s vision and drive, will continue to advance sustainable soil and land management, land degradation neutrality and prosperity in the country.” James also acknowledged the contributions of former Prime Minister Dr. Ketih Rowley, expressing his gratitude, for his years of devoted service to the twin island republic. “Dr. Rowley shall not be forgotten for his commitment, leadership and contributions over the years.”
The Executive Director, also places on record appreciation to the Honourable Penelope Beckles, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Political Focal Point, who resumed her portfolio as Planning and Development Minister in Prime Minister Stuart Young’s new cabinet. The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) looks forward to working with the new administration to continue the mission of attaining Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), employment of Sustainable Soil and Land Management practices within the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS), including Trinidad and Tobago.
Castries, March 2025. Saint Lucia has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring human rights for all.
This was the collective assertion, as over 20 national stakeholders participated in a two-day national Human Rights workshop. This initiative was hosted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) Regional Caribbean office, in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s satellite office in Saint Lucia, and the Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs. 
The workshop, was designed to enhance awareness of the International Human Rights System, including treaty bodies and human rights mechanisms; build capacity of government officials and civil society members in data gathering and human rights reporting; and to highlight the role that respective agencies and their constituents play within this system. The Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs is the focal agency for Human Rights in Saint Lucia.
In welcoming participants, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Ms. Janelle Modeste-Stephen, noted that advancing human rights was a shared responsibility. “Government must enact policies and safeguard rights. Civil society must continue to advocate and mobilize. The private sector must embrace inclusive practices. Communities must challenge discrimination and uphold the dignity of every individual,” She urged stakeholders to use the workshop as an opportunity to learn, collaborate and commit to concrete action that will make human rights a lived reality for all in Saint Lucia. “Together, we can build a society, where justice, equality and inclusion are not just aspirations but everyday realities”, she stated.
A key objective of the workshop was to reactivate and strengthen the capacity of Saint Lucia’s National Coordinating Committee for Human Rights, which was established by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2019. The Ministry of External Affairs serves as the Chair and Secretariat of the Committee, which comprises representatives from various government ministries. The committee is responsible for analyzing the human rights situation at the national level and collaborates to report on recommendations aligned with Saint Lucai’s national priorities. The active
functioning of the National Coordinating Committee for Human Rights is crucial for promoting and protecting human rights.
Reflecting on the utility of the workshop, Ms. Bynta Ernest, the representative from the Department of Gender Affairs on the National Human Rights Committee noted that the session was essential to the Committee’s revitalization and to demonstrating its importance in advancing human rights in Saint Lucia. “The practical sessions towards reporting on the recommendations from the last Universal periodic Review (UPR) were also very useful to kick-start the process towards meeting our October 2025 UPR reporting deadline,” she added.
In fulfillment of Saint Lucia’s human rights related reporting obligations and deadlines, workshop participants prepared a draft plan of action to devise next steps to advance Saint Lucia’s human rights agenda.
The workshop was held at the Harbor Club Hotel, from March 5-6, 2025. Participants included representatives from departments of External Affairs, Health, Education, Labor, Justice, Human Services, Gender Affairs, Immigration, Equity, Economic Development, the National Statistical Office, the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Attorney General’s Office, and the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities.
Photo Captions:
1st insert: Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs
2nd insert: Bynta Ernest, Gender Affairs
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