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Jamaica and Cuba sign agreement to extend eye care programme

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#Kingston, December 21, 2018 – Jamaica – Jamaicans will continue to benefit from eye care services provided by Cuban health professionals for another six months.

This is being facilitated under an extended technical cooperation agreement between the Governments of Jamaica and Cuba.

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, and Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Inés Fors Fernández, on Thursday (December 20), signed the documents during a ceremony at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday (December 20).

The bilateral agreement, first signed in 2009, provided for the establishment of an Ophthalmology Centre to treat Jamaican and other Caribbean nations with eye conditions and for implementation of the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme in 2010.

On December 2015, an agreement was signed by the Governments to continue Cuba’s support to Jamaica for a further three years, prolonging the programme through December this year.

Mr. Tufton said the six-month extension provides the opportunity to ensure continuity in the provision of care as provided for under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme “even as we assess current needs and determine the best course for a successor agreement”.

“There is no question of the value that the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme has brought to the people of Jamaica. Operated from three principal locations – Kingston School of Nursing, National Chest Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, patients are provided with care prior to and subsequent to surgery, along with treatment of diabetic retinopathy and anterior segment laser, in addition to cataract and pterygium. Patients also benefit from laboratory, optometry, clinical and ophthalmic services,” he said.

Dr. Tufton noted that 2,695 surgeries have been performed in this year alone. The number includes 1,253 diabetic retinopathy laser procedures; 854 cataract surgeries; 409 pterygium surgeries; and 179 anterior segment laser procedures.

“This is thanks to the excellent team of Cuban professionals with whom Jamaica has been provided over time. The programme welcomed the fourth Cuban Medical Brigade in June this year, comprised of 18 personnel,” he noted further.

“There is no question that the programme has achieved success in what it set out to do, which is to provide safe, clinically sound and cost-effective services in ophthalmology; to improve the quality of life of adults accessing the programme through the improvement of their eyesight; and to promote a healthier lifestyle in order to improve eye health,” he said.

The Cuban Ambassador, for his part, said health is a very important area of cooperation between the countries, noting that currently, there are about 291 Cuban health professionals working in four regions of Jamaica.

“I would like to express our (commitment) to continue working with Jamaica in this important sector. I think health is among the most important human rights,” she said, noting that public health is even more critical as it caters to the most vulnerable in society.

 

Release: JIS

Contact: Alecia Smith

Photo Captions:

Header: Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton (left), along with Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Inés Fors Fernández, affix their signatures to copies of an extended technical cooperation agreement, during a signing ceremony at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday (December 20). Overseeing the proceedings is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dunstan Bryan. The agreement will see more Jamaicans benefiting from eye care services provided by Cuban health professionals.

Insert: Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton (centre), hands over a signed copy of an extended technical cooperation agreement to Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Inés Fors Fernández (second right), at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday (December 20). The agreement will see more Jamaicans benefiting from eye care services provided by Cuban health professionals. Looking on (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dunstan Bryan; Director, Health Services Planning and Integration in the Ministry, Dr. Naydene Williams; and Cuban Coordinator, Dr. Armando Villamarin.

 

Photographer: Yhomo Hutchinson

 

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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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