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CARPHA Promotes Immunisation with “Take Your Best Shot” Schools’ Trivia Game Show

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June 12, 2023 – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) launched an innovative regional online schools’ game show aimed at improving the public’s understanding, especially young people and their parents, about COVID-19 and vaccination processes.  The COVID-19 and Immunisation game show, entitled “Take Your Best Shot”, also promoted routine immunisation for better overall health and well-being.

This unique pilot project, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development, Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund, Eastern Caribbean (UNICEF), saw students from eight secondary schools in two Caribbean states – Guyana and St. Lucia, compete for grand prizes.

In its five-year strategic plan, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the ten global health threats the world faces in 2019 and beyond.  Vaccine hesitancy has been defined by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) working group as the ‘‘delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services.”

Dr. Joy St. John, CARPHA Executive Director explained, “Historically, the Caribbean had one of the best immunisation records in the world. However, recent studies indicated that routine immunisations had been declining due to hesitancy caused by misinformation.”  Dr. St. John added that COVID-19 heavily exacerbated the situation, resulting in doubt on the efficacy of vaccines in general.

In light of this, CARPHA, in partnership with USAID and UNICEF, created this innovative public education programme to share accurate, evidence-based information that would combat misinformation, address concerns, and improve understanding about vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr. Mervyn Farroe, Regional Representative, USAID/ESC noted that “Vaccines are in an elite group of inventions that have saved the most lives in human history.  We owe it to future generations to ensure they are provided accurate information, so that in the event of another pandemic, they will not fall prey to inaccuracies about vaccines.  USAID was happy to support this pilot project as we build on decades of global health leadership to combat infectious diseases”.

Mr. Pieter Bult, Representative, UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean pointed out, “Unfortunately, far too many children across the Eastern Caribbean and the world, are not getting the vaccines they need to protect them against death and serious disease. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted childhood immunisation. I applaud initiatives like this that reinforce the importance of immunisation and allow us to begin reversing this troubling trend”.

Ms. Claudell Ally-Bristol, parent of a student at Mc Kenzie High School, Guyana shared what she gained, “The number of variants stood out for me, also the number of children that have died and the reasons why we should be vaccinated”.

Rojan Felicien, a student attending St. Mary’s College, St. Lucia expressed his change in attitude after participating in the programme.  He said, “I used to think COVID was more of a joke; to me it was just a stronger version of the flu, but the webinar presentations helped to raise my awareness about the effects of COVID-19.  This has strengthened my resolve to take vaccines that are developed in the future”.

Ms. Leanne Winter, teacher at St. Lucia’s St. Mary’s College, shared that her confidence in vaccines was also boosted, “I am more convinced that the vaccine does provide the means that we need to effectively combat the virus”.

Nitya Narine, a student at Tagore Memorial, Guyana was inspired and declared, “Now I have decided I want to pursue higher tertiary education in immunisation”.

The Ministries of Education and Health in both Guyana and St. Lucia fully supported the project and worked closely with CARPHA in the coordination and broadcast of the programmes.  Officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also shared their expertise on immunisation with students and their parents.

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Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

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MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

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CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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