Bahamas News
Bahamas Welcomes 67th CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference
By Lindsay Thompson, BIS
#TheBahamas, May 2, 2023 – The Bahamas welcomed more than 200 delegates to the 67th Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Annual Health Research Conference at the Official Opening Ceremony, Atlantis, Paradise Island, April 27, 2023.
The two-day conference, under the theme, ‘Caribbean Health and Tourism: Pathways to Recovery and Resilience,’ has in this instance resumed ‘in-person’ forum since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis, KC, gave a keynote address (recorded, as he is out of the country), titled: ‘Health is Wealth: The Role of Wellness in the National Development of The Bahamas’. The opening ceremony was also addressed by Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director, CARPHA; and the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness, who delivered welcome remarks.
Dr. Darville said: “After months of joint team planning, coordinating and preparation meetings, it is my privilege to welcome you to the 67th Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Annual Health Research Conference, hosted here in Nassau, Bahamas, at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.”
He observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed for the appreciation of technological advancements that permitted people to remain connected across closed borders, and recognize that we have the capabilities to adjust as necessary to ensure that partnerships continue.
“These technological advancements speak to our abilities to pivot and employ progressive modalities to ensure that the important work of health research and of health data and information sharing remains uninterrupted,” he said.
Most countries represented at CARPHA, have in common the challenges and opportunities of the impacts of health and tourism on their respective economies.
It is further recognized that any successful initiative to promote health and wellness among both locals and visitors in a manner that secures and protects continued economic growth, must incorporate a multi-sectoral approach.
In this vein, Dr. Darville said that Caribbean governments should strive to ensure that both residents and visitors have equitable access to healthcare services, safe food and water resources and proper environmental and sanitation standards.
“Member states can have the finest tourist, agricultural or financial products to offer, but if our people are unwell or if their basic health needs are compromised then the expected progress for nations will not be realized,” he said.
He implored the health professionals, researchers, policymakers, lecturers, students and other participants, that as they communicate, connect and collaborate throughout this 67th Annual Research Conference, “to remember that it is the mandate of the health community to use evidence-based research to promote the health and wellness of the people of this region and to provide policy recommendations and program activities that would help in guiding a country’s development and sustainability.”
Dr. Darville thanked CARPHA for its continued dedicated service to the region, specifically for the leadership of Dr. Joy St. John.
“Through the implementation of health and wellness programs, access to health and laboratory resources, training opportunities, strategic and technical advice, CARPHA remains a strong voice in the response to regional public health matters.”
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean. It was legally established in July 2011 by an Inter-Governmental Agency signed by (CARICOM), the Caribbean Community Member States, and began operation in January 2013. The Agency rationalizes public health arrangements in the region by combining the functions of five Caribbean Regional Health Institutes (RHIs) into a single agency.
The CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference is a platform for showcasing ongoing research to help Caribbean people better understand the intricate linkages between tourism and health.
As an advocate for Caribbean Research, although CARPHA has thematic areas of focus annually, the research committee accepts all research, which adds value to the further development of policy initiatives. This is also a space for networking and gaining insight into the topics of the featured lectures, or of businesses that exhibit.
CARPHA will continue its tradition of awarding Caribbean excellence in health research at the conference. A special banquet will be held to honour awardees on Friday, April 28, 2023.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header: The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness addressing the Official Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Annual Health Research Conference in the Imperial Ballroom of Atlantis Resort, Thursday, April 27, 2023 and Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director of Caribbean Public Health Agency, addressing the Official Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s Annual Health Research Conference in the Imperial Ballroom of Atlantis Resort, Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Insert: Colour Guard of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force paraded the National Flag of The Bahamas, CARICOM, and CARPHA during the Official Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s Annual Health Research Conference in the Imperial Ballroom of Atlantis Resort, Thursday, April 27, 2023.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
