Caribbean News

Ministry of Health Issues a Measles Alert for the General Public

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

#TurksandCaicos#Measles, February 15th 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to advise the public to remain alert for the signs and symptoms of measles. While there are no cases of measles in the Turks and Caicos, we are still in the winter tourist season and during this time, it is easy for measles to be imported from other regions which still have very high incidences of cases. Reports of January 24th 2024 reveals that the Region of the Americas had reported over twenty-nine (29) cases of Measles in four countries, twenty-eight (28) of these cases were imported from other regions.

Measles is a highly infectious disease which is accompanied by a rash with fever and at least one of the following three symptoms: coryza (runny nose), cough and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The rash starts behind the ears and then spreads to the head and neck, followed by the rest of the body. Other symptoms include small greyish white spots with a bluish-white center inside the mouth, cheek and throat and body aches. Measles is spread through droplets in the air which are generated by the coughs and sneezes of infected persons. Measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. The period when a person is infectious and can spread the virus is within 7 to 10 days of exposure but can be up to 14 days.

Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease and serious complications are more common in children under the age of 5, or adults over the age of 30. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Severe measles is more likely among individuals whose immune systems have been weakened. Women infected while pregnant are also at risk of severe complications and the pregnancy may end in miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives.

Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.

No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus.

Severe complications from measles can be avoided through supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution. This solution replaces fluids and other essential elements that are lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. Antibiotics should be prescribed to treat eye and ear infections, and pneumonia.

The number one way of preventing measles is through vaccination with the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The measles vaccine has been in use for over 50 years. It is safe and highly effective. It is offered free of cost at all primary health care facilities within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos Islands has maintained high immunization coverage, over 90%, in the MMR vaccine. The last reported case of measles in the TCI was in 1991. Although, we have good immunity in the TCI, persons who are not protected are at an increased risk of contracting the virus. This includes persons who have never been vaccinated and those who have not completed their 2-dose schedule. The TCI welcomes over one million visitors annually from all over the world; this creates a risk for importation and re-introduction of measles into the country.

To be considered fully protected against measles, individuals must have two doses of the MMR vaccine. The TCI offers this at ages 1 and 2 years. Parents who are uncertain about their child’s immunization status should bring their take-home vaccine cards into any primary care clinic to have it checked. Persons who are uncertain of their immunization status may also visit the clinic to determine their status and be vaccinated if necessary. If you are concerned that you might have been exposed, please contact your health care provider. Measles vaccines protect both you and the wider community.

For more information, please contact the Primary Health Care Department Public Health Nurses on the following telephone numbers: 338-5474; 338-5470 or 946-5613 or, you may contact your local health care provider.

Keep up to date by checking the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tcihealthpromotions.

Help us keep TCI measles free, protect yourself and your loved ones from measles!

Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

Published

2 days ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

Caribbean News

Hundreds Apply for 2025/26 RYEEP Builder

Published

1 week ago

September 16, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Kingston, Jamaica, September 16, 2025 – Business and Entrepreneurship Development Manager for the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Amanda McKenzie, has indicated that close to 300 applications have been received, so far, for the 2025/2026 Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder.

She said that this figure is expected to be exceeded, as the deadline for applications is set for Friday (September 12) at midday.

During an interview with JIS News on Thursday (September 11), Ms. McKenzie said that the volume of applications reflects a shift in the youth’s interest in agriculture.

“We definitely see a growing interest of youth in agriculture. They bring a new energy to the sector, in the sense that they are not only interested in the traditional approach in terms of how agriculture is done but their interest is also aligned to technology,” she explained.

Ms. McKenzie added that agri-processing has also become a viable option for youth as they look at services that can be offered across the agricultural sector, so as not to limit themselves to the traditional approaches.

The RYEEP Builder is open to individuals aged 18 to 35 who are already involved in agriculture and are not formally employed outside of this venture.

Participants of RYEEP Builder will receive mentorship; coaching, which will take on a one-on-one approach with trainers from specialised sectors of agriculture.

Training will also be provided in areas such as livestock production, broiler production, apiculture, goat production, piggery, fisheries, crop production, and agri-processing.

“All the participants will also benefit from training in financial management, business management, record keeping, good agricultural practices, climate smart agriculture and marketing,” Ms. McKenzie noted.

Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to receive levels one and two National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) certification through HEART/NSTA Trust.

Other benefits include study tours and field visits to private and public organisations that are producing on a commercial scale.

“They can have a better appreciation of where it is that they can aspire to in terms of their business development. They can see some of the cutting-edge technologies that are being incorporated into production for efficiency,” Ms. McKenzie said.

There is also a financial aspect where tangible material and equipment worth $100,000 will be given to approximately 100 participants of the initiative to support their agriculture business.

Formal training for the RYEEP Builder will begin in November, once the interview process for shortlisted applicants across the 14 parishes in Jamaica are completed, and the selected members of the 2025/2026 cohort are notified.

Reflecting on the success of the programme last year, Ms. McKenzie said: “We do have participants who would have indicated that their enterprises have now improved in terms of the income generated; they’re seeing increase in income.”

“They’re [also] able to expand. We had one person who is involved in apiculture… he’s added additional hives to his venture. [And another person] was able to turn her crop production enterprise into a thriving operation that now employs young people from her community,” she added.

Ms. McKenzie said that the benefits of the RYEEP Builder initiative is expected to go beyond the participants and the owners of the entities, as “we also want to see that transition into generational employment opportunities for other persons, particularly within rural spaces”.

RYEEP Builder is organised by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and HEART/NSTA Trust.

Contact: Vanessa James

Release: JIS

Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), engages with participants in the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder, during the closing ceremony of the 2024/2025 cohort of the programme, on Friday (June 13), at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

File Photo: Mark Bell

Caribbean News

Sandals Corporate University Wins Double Gold in AI Innovation and Hands-On Hospitality Training

Published

1 week ago

September 16, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Montego Bay, St. James: Sandals Corporate University (SCU), the learning and development hub for Sandals and Beaches Resorts team members, continues to set the gold standard for excellence in AI implementation and training strategy as they celebrate their recent double win in the 2025 Brandon Hall Group^TM HCM Excellence Awards®.

Collaborating with Canadian-based corporate training company, Flint Learning Solutions, the SCU was awarded two gold medals for projects submitted to the categories: Best Use of AI in Business Impact for elevating guest experiences with AI training and Best Learning in the Flow of Work for improving hospitality with on-the-job activities.

The awarding organisation, The Brandon Hall Group™, has, for over 30 years empowered and certified business excellence globally and through the HCM Excellence Awards®, which recognises organisations that have implemented best practices for initiatives in learning and development, talent acquisition and management, leadership development, human resources, sales performance, diversity, equity and inclusion and the future of work.

Highlighting the achievement, SCU’s Senior Corporate Director, Dr. Luz Longsworth stated, “the Hospitality industry requires a flexible and fast paced approach to on-the-job training and the SCU is excited about the possibilities for expanding the use of AI in its training model to enhance our team members’ learning experience and to ultimately continue providing our Sandals and Beaches Resorts guests with consistently excellent service.”

Lenise White, Sandals Resorts’ measurement and evaluation specialist also shared her enthusiasm about the win.

“The double gold win from the Brandon Hall Group™ is a tremendous recognition of the impact the SCU has made in transforming hospitality learning and service delivery. It signifies that our efforts to integrate AI into training are not only innovative but also delivering real business impact.”

The partnership between SCU and Flint has, since its application, redefined on the job learning, demonstrating how innovative technology and training can ease real-world business challenges in the hospitality industry. The programme establishes a new standard for hospitality talent development and has given way to the integration of personalised, AI-powered learning, geared towards enhancing team member capabilities and elevating the guest experience without disrupting daily operations.

“We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Sandals Corporate University and the exceptional results we’ve achieved together. SCU’s leadership in embracing innovative approaches to talent development has been instrumental in creating a programme that empowered employees to create the exceptional, memorable experiences that define the Sandals brand and keep guests returning year after year,” shared Flint’s Chief Executive Officer, James Glover.

The 2025 award entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts and executives based on their alignment to business needs and environment, programme design, functionality and delivery, innovation and creativity among other criteria.

“This year’s Excellence Award winners exemplify the transformative power of strategic human capital management. Through their innovative approaches to talent development and employee engagement, these organizations have not only achieved remarkable business outcomes but have also redefined what it means to create truly people-centric workplaces,” remarked Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer and HCM Excellence Awards® Programme Leader, Rachel Cooke.

The win follows another exceptional achievement in AI-powered training after the SCU copped the bronze award for Best Corporate University in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Implementations from the Global CCU, earlier this year.

Photo Captions:

Header: A group of proud team members from Sandals South Coast team pose for a quick photo op after receiving their training completion certificates.

1st insert: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort General Manager, Carol Bourke (left) presents Learning and Development Manager, Joy Bernard with her certificate of recognition for the role that she played in administering the training initiative.

2nd insert: Ghislain Boutoulle, hotel manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos (right) beams as he congratulates bar department team member, Andrew Clarke on his successful course completion.