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Jamaica gets support to eradicate Zika-carrying mosquitoes

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#Jamaica, September 30, 2017 – Kingston – Jamaica’s programme to eradicate the aedes egypti mosquito, which is the primary vector for the Zika virus, has been given a boost through a US$250,000 provision under the Caribbean Zika Response and Preparedness Project.   The 16-month undertaking is being implemented by the Jamaica Red Cross through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under the initiative, communities in seven parishes have been identified for targeted intervention, which include clean-up activities and public education.   The parishes are Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. Mary, Portland, Westmoreland, and St. James.   Teams of Red Cross volunteers, along with the organisation’s field officers are already in the targeted areas visiting homes and staging community sensitisation sessions to empower residents to take action to eradicate breeding areas in and around their homes.

Project Manager, Jamaica Red Cross, Kalesha Henlon, says a big part of the programme is the cleaning of communities, which has already started.  She informs that old tyres and containers that collect water, providing a breeding ground for the pests, are being removed.

Miss Henlon, who was speaking to JIS News at a recent meeting at the Red Cross headquarters in Central Village, St. Catherine, says drum covers are also being distributed to householders.   She notes that the covers have been working successfully, and the Red Cross is seeking additional support to widen distribution both inside and outside of the project areas.

“We are doing something great for the nation, and that is one reason why we ask for collaboration with stakeholders,” she says.

Meanwhile, Miss Henlon tells JIS News that coming out of a survey, which revealed that only one per cent of those polled in the targeted communities is aware that Zika can be transmitted through sexual contact, focus will be placed in this area.   She says that advertisements will be placed on buses, among other measures.

“We are promoting the use of condoms or dual contraception methods to ensure that persons, especially pregnant mothers, don’t get infected, as this can severely affect children,” Miss Henlon says.

Zika has been linked to microcephaly, a rare condition in which infants are born with smaller or shrunken brains and heads.

“We are targeting maternity stores, to reach pregnant women,” Miss Henlon adds.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Winston De La Haye, in endorsing the project, is appealing for persons in the communities to cooperate fully.   While cases of Zika have significantly declined, and the disease is not the threat that it was a year ago, Dr. De La Haye notes that the virus is endemic to the country “so we don’t want the public to relax”.

In addition, he says, there are still instances of dengue fever and chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) around, which are transmitted by the same mosquito that spreads Zika.   “In the long run, it is you the individual that we are helping,” he adds.

Dr. De La Haye is calling on householders to take personal responsibility for their surroundings and devote at least 10 minutes each week to inspecting their homes to ensure that they are not providing breeding ground for the mosquito.   He notes that under the Mosquito Control and Research Unit, initiated by Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, and housed at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI), Mona Campus, a number of agencies, including the Red Cross, are collaborating in the eradication of mosquitoes.

“The work of those agencies… is all aimed at reducing the number of breeding sites and the possibility of persons being infected by the Zika virus,” he points out.

Persons wishing to collaborate with the Red Cross Zika team can contact the organisation at 984-7860-2, or email jrcs@jamaicaredcross.org.

The most common symptoms of the Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eye. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.   Severe illness requiring hospitalization is uncommon.   There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat the virus.

Aedes egypti mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water, in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.     All kinds of garbage, including old fridges, hub caps, tyres that can collect rain water, can be home to mosquitoes.

BY: Garfield L. Angus (JIS)

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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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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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