Caribbean News

CARPHA Supports St. Vincent and the Grenadines for CELAC and Cricket World Cup

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

March 9, 2024 – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) conducted an integrated mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to strengthen surveillance, early warning and response, laboratory, health and food safety capacity in preparation for the 8^th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on March 1^st and the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Mens’ World Cup in June. CELAC welcomed 33 Heads of State and Governments, their respective delegations and regional agency representatives.

The CARPHA mission, led by Dr. Lisa Indar, Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control (SDPC), comprised persons from several CARPHA departments, Ms. Angela Hinds, Head, Health Information, Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response (HCE), Dr. Laura-Lee Boodram, Head, Caribbean Regional Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Dr. Michelle Hamilton, Head of Laboratory Services and Networks (LSN), Mr. Shane Kirton, Programme Manager, Environmental Health and Sustainable Development (EHSD), Drs. Maurice Frank and Jarelle Branford, Technical Officers, HCE, Mr. Keston Daniel, Epidemiologist, Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP) and Mrs. Danielle Gordon-John, Senior Laboratory Technologist.

Dr. Simone Keizer Beache, Chief Medical Officer (SVG), remarked “The integrated CARPHA SDPC in-country mission took place during the preparations for SVG’s hosting of the CELAC Summit. The schedule was challenging given the competing demands, but the willingness and flexibility of the CARPHA team and the recognition of its importance by the SVG team led to a successful mission. We strongly recommend that all CARPHA Member States take full advantage of the capacity building opportunities on offer.” Dr. Lisa Indar indicated, “The wide scope of activities executed by CARPHA covers many facets of strengthening overall public health surveillance and action. It’s the first of a series of visits for host countries for the ICC T20 Mens’ World Cup toward building regional capacity to prepare CARPHA Member States to mitigate against possible public health threats.”

Key outcomes of this mission included:

A 2-day workshop on Communicable Diseases Surveillance for Health Workers conducted with 37 participants across the health sector to understand case definitions and timely reporting to the central level.
Conduct of a National Risk Assessment for mass gatherings, in collaboration with PAHO, using the WHO/PAHO Mass Gathering Risk Assessment Tool. The results of the risk assessment will be used to guide preparation and response for the upcoming ICC T20 CWC.
A desktop simulation exercise with 34 participants, including public health nurses, environmental health officers and law enforcement. This exercise tested how participants responded to multiple public health scenarios during mass gathering events and identified gaps/challenges of the same.
Rapid response training for 17 public health professionals, including persons from the security/defense force and the National Emergency Management Organisation. The training reviewed scenarios that necessitated mounting a response to a public health emergency by rapidly dispatching a multidisciplinary team to investigate and implement mitigating measures to contain the situation.
Mass gathering surveillance training, conducted for 16 key public health staff of the MOHWE, including the CMO and national epidemiologist. An all-hands-on-deck approach was taken emphasizing the need for daily and real-time reporting, monitoring, response, coordination and communication.CARPHA regional mass gathering syndromic surveillance system (MGSS) was detailed, including national surveillance, tourism-based surveillance and the new module developed for mass gatherings. Nurses at the health command centre for the CELAC summit were also trained and registered on MGSS.
Training on Food and Environmental Health safety during mass gatherings for 82 food handlers, including those who were providing the catering for the CELAC summit. The training focused on ensuring all food handlers are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and tools to prepare, cook, store and serve food to guestsat the establishments and in a Mass Gathering setting.
Training in Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, conducted for 50 individuals in the hospitality sector with an additional focus on specificities of Mass Gatherings. The session aimed to build capacity to quickly identify and respond to cases of Infectious Diseases and included participants from the hotel, food, and beverage sectors some of which were working closely with the CELAC summit and will be working with the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
Assessments of the laboratory network of SVG for optimization of laboratory services available in-country. Training in testing for priority pathogens during an emergency response and/or mass gathering was conducted for seven laboratory staff of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the Molecular Laboratory. Protocols were also developed for the operations of an integrated laboratory service, supported by a Mobile Testing Team from CARPHA.
The CELACsite visit, inclusive of the mobile emergency operations centre (EOC) and its facilities, was conducted by the CARPHA and MOHWE team.

These workshops proved instrumental in identifying and addressing various challenges. This joint mission has strengthened SVG’s surveillance and response capacity and preparedness to effectively anticipate and manage potential challenges, ensuring a seamless and secure CELAC and T20 CWC tournament experience for all.

CARPHA and SVG continue to work toward supporting SVG’s preparation for these large-scale mass gathering events. The CARPHA team provided support to SVG for the CELAC summit on March 1^st as follows: (i) support at National Laboratory (ii) support at health EOC (HEOC) and (iii) support at the health command site at Sandals.

This CARPHA mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines was made possible through the World Bank via the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Regional Health Project.

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

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.

Caribbean News

MORE EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Published

2 weeks ago

September 11, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

MONTEGO BAY, September 11 (JIS): Jamaica’s capacity to identify and support children with autism has been bolstered by a groundbreaking three-year training initiative that continued into its second phase at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in St. Ann, on Wednesday, September 10.

Dubbed the Autism and Developmental Needs Skills Training for Caregivers and Families, the programme will create a core of 10 master trainers who will in turn train others across the island to build a sustainable network of experts.

The programme is being carried out under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Caregiver Skills Training (CST) framework.

It is being made possible through a partnership among the Sandals Foundation, Autism Speaks, The Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, and The Colour of Autism Foundation.

Speaking to journalists, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the training is designed to make autism support more accessible across Jamaica by equipping those already working with children and families to provide practical tools and strategies.

“These 10 master trainers are going to be able to go back out into the communities and train other people to kind of spread the effect, getting it into every corner in Jamaica, so that we’re able to help identify [autistic] children and help their parents, teachers and caregivers to be able to understand how to deal with them,” she explained.

The Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts International have committed a total of US$162,000 in cash and kind support towards the entire three-year endeavour.

This investment covers online training, technical support, stipends for trainees, printed materials, transportation, and accommodation for the capacity-building sessions.

“Mico University College is directly in contact with all of the various [master trainers] in the respective organisations. They’re the ones who identified the people who are going to be trained,” Mrs. Clarke noted.

“So, it’s everybody from Early Stimulation to the Montego Bay Autism Centre, among other institutions, that are spreading autism awareness and support across the country,” she added.

One of the trainees, Sandrea Long-White, Project Manager at Community Based Rehabilitation Jamaica, noted that the training is particularly valuable for rural communities where her organisation works directly with families in their homes.

In fact, it is important to equip parents living in rural Jamaica with the skills to manage the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, to ease the overwhelming and uncertain pressures, she noted.

“So, one of the key takeaways from the training, thus far, is that whatever the child can do, we focus on that and build on that strength that the child has. That’s something that we need to teach our parents to recognise, the little achievements that our disabled children can do to build their skill to help them in their development,” Mrs. Long-White underscored.

In the meantime, Head of Special Education at The Mico University College, Michele Meredith, pointed out that the three-year programme will be certified.

Ms. Meredith said it will combine the WHO’s packaged content with components from The Mico’s own special education courses to give graduates a recognisable certification in the field.

Moreover, after the initial three-year cycle, funded by the Sandals Foundation, The Mico University College will take over the programme as a formal extramural offering, she noted.

The second phase of the programme will run from September 8 to 12. In addition to the trainers, six families will also participate in the sessions.

Since 2016, some 35 Caregiver Skills Training (CST) sites have been implemented worldwide, certifying more than 250 master trainers, with language translations under way to include 10 additional languages.

Contact: Okoye Henry

Release: JIS