February 04 Is World Cancer Awareness Day

Charlestown, Nevis
February 04, 2012

Nevis will join a number of organisations including the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in the observance of World Cancer Day (WCD) on February 4th, 2012 under the theme “Together it is Possible”. Health Officials on the island have collaborated with a number of partners to engage in activities throughout February to encourage the prevention, detection, care and treatment of Cancer.

Health Planner in the Ministry of Health on Nevis Mrs. Nicole Slack Liburd told the Department of Information on February 3rd, that they had commenced the activities ahead of Saturday’s observance with cervical cancer screenings at the Gingerland Health Centre on February 2nd.

Cancer messages were held at schools on the island and the Pink Lily Foundation set up an informational table at the Memorial Square in Charlestown on February 03. Minister of Health Hon. Hensley Daniel also delivered a speech in observance of WCD.

“Although we at the Ministry of Health have always been engaged in Cancer initiatives, this year we are having quite a number of activities in partnership with Pink Lily, the Nevis Maternal Health Fund and also the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts to bring a bit of awareness to this disease.

“It has affected our population for quite a number of years and continues to do so. In 2011 right here in Nevis 27 persons were diagnosed with Cancer and in 2010, 25 and those numbers are alarming,” she said.

However, Mrs. Slack Liburd was of the view that the Ministry of Health’s proactive approach had helped to spur the public to take advantage of their status with the disease.

“With our screening initiatives, with the Pap smear screenings for example at the Health Centres and Prostate Cancer Screening at the [Alexandra] Hospital, we have been able to identify quite a number of our cases at the early stages. So although our numbers are increasing, we feel that it also has something to do with our prevention and our early detection initiatives,” she said.

The Health Official pointed to the many risk factors for Cancer and indicated that the Health Promotion Unit and all Health Departments on the island had engaged in the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

She noted that Nevis had quite a number of diabetic and hypertensive cases and those were diseases predisposed to Cancer.

“So cancer is here, it is in our population and we at the Ministry of Health are trying to get everyone on board to play their part in reducing Cancer here on Nevis hence the big promotion, the big campaign in 2012,” she said.

According to the Health Planner, it was the first time that Nevis was observing WCD with so many awareness activities in partnership with other organisations. She explained that this year’s theme was one of oneness and as such, everyone could contribute in whatever way possible to the fight against Cancer.

Mrs. Nicole Slack made mention of a presentation of five neck ties from the St. Pauls Anglican Church to members of the Nevis Island Administration Cabinet. She said she was certain the ties would generate some level of discussion as they were worn by the Ministers during the month of February as she explained what the colours on the tie denoted.

“The different colours on the tie representing the most prevalent cancers here on Nevis and those include prostate, breast, lung and cervical and there is also a purple colour there for the survivors of cancer and we do have quite a bit of survivors and they are supported by organisations such as Pink Lily. So to honour our survivors and the support organisations there is a purple colour on the neck tie,” she said.

Other activities in the Cancer awareness month include a Cancer based discussion  on  Choice Radio’s Good Old Days on February 4th, an Oncology Symposium at the St. Pauls Anglican Church Hall from 8:30-11:00am on February 8th and a Cancer based Church Service at the St. Pauls Anglican Church on February 12th. There will also be Health Tips read by Nurses on local radio stations and a number of Cancer Education sessions at all Health centres.

Related posts:

1. Nevis’ Pink Lily Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
2. Nevis Begins Month Long Observance Of Caribbean Wellness Day
3. Young Women Urged To Test For Breast Cancer

Hydroponic Farm In Nevis

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 02, 2012 (CUOPM)

What is destined to become a major tourism attraction on St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean, is designed to lure the international visitor who want to escape in revelry.

Pointing out that the international visitor is not monolithic, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the international visitor who comes to St. Kitts and Nevis is not monolithic.

“Some are interested only in sea and sand.  Others in history and architecture.  Still others seek ‘escape’ in revelry. There is a significant segment of travelers, however, that is interested in nature, in traditional herbs and medicines, in the flora and fauna of the countries that they visit.  And this Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm was designed specifically with that segment of the international travelling community in mind,” said Prime Minister at the ground breaking ceremony at Sir Gilles. (Here is a link to the demonstration video: http://bit.ly/wRL0du Dr. Douglas said the agro-tourism project will present to the young people another face of agriculture to which precious lands can be put to planting and growing that can be an important and meaningful source of revenue and inspiration.

“Indigenous plants from St. Kitts and Nevis will be showcased alongside indigenous plants from Taiwan. And special plants whose medicinal properties were long known by our ancient African forebears will be growing alongside plants whose medicinal properties were long known by the ancient Asian forebears of our Taiwanese partners.  Friendship and partnership at its best. Sugar, the plant so indelibly woven into our history, will also have a place here – a place of fun and challenge in the carefully designed cane-field labyrinth, shaped like our two countries, from which locals and visitors alike will try to find their way,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas, the Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 6 noted the project, which had its genesis when he led an Official Visit to Taiwan last year, in search of expanded opportunities for Kittitians and Nevisians, said it has borne fruit.

“Some 20 acres has been set aside for this magnificent project that will draw nationals from across the Federation, and travelers from around the world, to learn from and enjoy the wonders of nature in this carefully laid out facility. Today, after almost one year of meticulous planning and preparation, we open the preparatory office,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who added:

“Ours is a Government of vision.  For us, liberation means expanded opportunities.  Empowerment means broadened horizons for Kittitians and Nevisians in all fields of endeavor.  And this project pushes forward this very important mandate.”

The project will take two years to complete and is located just opposite to the sub-station of the St. Kitts Scenic Railway.

Related posts:

1. New St. Kitts – Nevis Tourism Attraction To Open
2. St. Kitts – Nevis Committed To Agro-Tourism
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Launches Agro-Tourism Farm

Locally Grown Nevis Produce

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 02, 2012 (SKNIS)

Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to rise to higher heights when a new Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm is completed at Sir Gillies, Sandy Point.

In an auspicious groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, chairperson – Acting Agriculture Permanent Secretary Ashton Stanley said this modern agro-processing facility will offer a true experience of agro-tourism and its expertise to tourists.

The Taiwan International Corporation Development Fund (ICDF) funded farm facility saw evolution over the years. The Taiwanese Agricultural Experimental Farm became the Needsmust Demonstration Farm, and is now the Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm Co-operation Project. Relocation of the farm was considered to prevent contamination of the Basseterre valley aquifer. The identification of a suitable plot of land in the Newton Ground area met with Cabinet’s approval in 2009.

The Republic of China’s Resident Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Miguel Tsao shared a very similar vision with the Federation’s Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas to create a new multifunctional farm that would suit the locality and promote economic growth. After acquisition of some 20 acres of farm land at Sir Gillies, work began on fencing and laying of irrigation pipes, construction of a 15,000 gallon reservoir, a two story office building, a work shed and a six room dormitory – all of which were completed by 2010.

In early 2011, a feasibility study team comprising one of Taiwan’s top Tourism professors, the Chief Executive Officer of Taiwan’s Leisure Farm Development Association and the Executive Head of Taiwan Power Corporation arrived in St. Kitts to discuss evaluation and design of a blueprint for green energy for the Agro-Tourism Farm.

In brief remarks at the groundbreaking, Ambassador Tsao said St. Kitts and Nevis has many characteristics conducive to the promotion of an agro-tourism farm.

“Since I assume the office as Ambassador to this beautiful country, I have personally experienced the breathtaking scenery and the captivating landscape that the Federation has to offer, and those are indeed worthy in promoting the agro-tourism farm” said Ambassador Tsao.

He also said this type of farm will contain features that will merge the two cultures of St. Kitts and Nevis with Taiwan.

The Honourable Richard Skerritt, Minister of Tourism said the project, is unlike any other in this part of the Caribbean.

“It is not only a perfect illustration of educational entertainment and a scenic, commercial and natural attraction, but also an excellent opportunity to continue further diversification of the economy” said Minister Skerritt.

Minister of Agriculture Honourable Dr Timothy Harris expressed pride in the fact that this facility will move Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis to another level.

“Today we move our corporation to another level – agro-tourism” said Dr Harris. “By vesting in an agricultural field station, a modern greenhouse and a Taiwanese-type Teahouse, and offering an opportunity for our tourists to receive tours of the farm and experience the rustic reality of farm life in St. Kitts and Nevis.”

He further noted that this facility is perfectly positioned to give visitors the opportunity to enjoy a real agro-tourism experience.

“Positioned at the turnaround point of the Scenic Railway, this facility will offer an opportunity for visitors to really enjoy and agro-tourism experience through guided farm tours on a pick and pay system” said Dr Harris.

In order for an agricultural tourism effort to thrive the country must learn the success factors that it needs to focus on – namely, farm size, the presence of water and adequate costing.

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, in his feature address said the Minister of Energy is doing all in his power to move the Federation away from its traditional fossil fuel dependence and in the direction of green energy.

“Our minister of Tourism,” the Prime Minister said, “is constantly seeking innovative ways to make the Federation’s tourism product much more intriguing and much more competitive.”

Prime Minister Douglas noted that some international travelers are interested in sea and sand, some in history and architecture, and some in simple escape and revelry, but there are others who are interested in nature.

“…there is a significant segment of travelers however, that is interested in nature, our natural country, the nature of our country, in traditional herbs and medicines, in the flora and the fauna of the countries that they visit” said the Prime Minister. “And so this Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm was designed specifically with that segment of the international community with that segment of the international traveling community in mind.”

It is expected that this agro-tourism project will present the young people of the Federation with another face of agriculture and another use to which our lands can be put.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts – Nevis and Taiwan Sign Agro-Tourism Farm Agreement
2. St. Kitts – Nevis Committed To Agro-Tourism
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Agro-Tourism Showcases Tropical Fruits

St. Kitts – Nevis Driver’s License

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 01, 2012 (CUOPM)

Nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis residing overseas can now renew their driver’s licences on line.

“Following numerous request by nationals living and studying overseas for a mechanism to renew their driver’s licence while overseas, the Traffic Department and the Inland Revenue Departments have collaborated to make this possible,” said Head of the Traffic Department of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Inspector Cromwell Henry on Wednesday.

He said holders of a St.Kitts and Nevis drivers licence can now through a simple process, renew their driver’s licence without having to come home.

Persons wishing to use this service can download the requisite form from the link below:

http://bit.ly/xCzM9o

Or by requesting a copy by emailing trafficdepartment@gov.kn

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts – Nevis Police Crack Down On Crime
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3. St. Kitts – Nevis Electoral Reform Process Moving Ahead

St. Kitts – Nevis Police Officers
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 30, 2012 (SKNIS)

Telephone and other communication operators from the Telecom Unit of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force are now better equipped to respond to the calls of the public as a result of customer service training being held this week at the Police Training Complex.

The three-day training session which runs from Monday, January 30 to Wednesday, February 01, 2012, reinforces Police Commissioner C.G. Walwyn’s commitment to restoring positive communication between the police and the public and raising all aspects of police operations to the highest level of professionalism.

According to training facilitator Mrs Hazel Ross-Robinson, when persons in St. Kitts and Nevis are in distress and call ‘911,’ they hear the voices of the Telecom Unit as their first contact with the police. The establishment therefore wants to make Telecom operators aware of the importance of what they do.

“The Commissioner therefore wants to ensure that those who work in that department are keenly aware of the importance of their services to the nation, and that they respond in a manner that’s professional, and in a manner that avoid the type of crisis that usually result if there is inadequate responses and follow-up” said Mrs Ross-Robinson.

The main objective of the training, explained the facilitator, is to impress upon Telecom workers that the people who reach out to them are usually in distress and need help urgently and efficiently.

“What I’m trying to do is to impress upon the people who work in the Telecom department the fact that when people reach out to them they’re usually in a panic, they’re usually in distress because there’s a fire, there’s a burglary, there is a violent act, and those people are in distress, and they need help,” Mrs Ross-Robinson said.

“They need help quickly, they need help efficiently, and they need professional follow-up. So what I’m trying to do is to impress upon the Telecom operators what an important role they provide to the police force, what an important role they provide to the nation, and to make sure that they consistently and unfailingly rise to the occasion, both because their self respect requires it, and because the nation is counting on them to function in that manner.”

Mrs Ross-Robinson said this is not the first time that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has afforded its communication professionals this type of training, but, as a result of the dynamic evolution of the police force, has found it necessary at this time to repeat this type of training to keep Telecom workers at the top of their “game”.

“Well this training has taken place before, but that was some time ago. People get transferred, people move on to other positions, new people come on staff, and so they need to, as well, be upgraded in terms of their skills.”

Police Officers too have been receiving vast amounts of training as an ongoing process in forensics and other areas of police operations as components of a multifaceted approach to training being undertaken by the police force.

Related posts:

1. New Police Prosecutors Receive Training
2. More Training Scheduled For St. Kitts – Nevis Police
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Police Receive Anti-terrorism Training