SINT MAARTEN (BELVEDERE) – The St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) is moving into the holiday season with good tidings as the organization announced that phase one of repairs to its properties have been progressing according to schedule.

“At present, the roof capping and flashing has been fixed for 44 duplex units,” Technical Manager Telston Bell shared, “as well as for 20 multi-unit properties.”

SMHDF duplex units consist of two units per property, while the multi-unit homes boast five to seven units each. Repairs to the Duplex units are being financed by the SMHDF and required the input of residents.  Most of the roofing has been repaired, and the organization now requires access to the interior to have damages repaired.

The Row Houses have had their roofing repaired and the SMHDF is proud to announce that with the excellent collaboration of respective tenants’, Phase 2, which is related to the interior of the homes progressing well with the valuable input of our valuable tenants. In so doing they are assisting the SMHDF to succeed swiftly in strengthening our housing communities.

The Apartment Towers Repairs in Phase 1 to properties damaged by Hurricane Irma were executed utilizing financing obtained from the World Bank trust fund established by the Netherlands. Housing Foundation has submitted plans for their remaining projects in accordance with the World Bank’s compliance rules, with repairs at the top of the priority list.

“Phase two is currently in its planning stages,” Bell commented. “It is reliant on the World Bank’s procurement process and once this has been completed, we will move forward. We aim for the first quarter of 2019.”

Repairs in the second phase of the project will focus on restructuring the roofs and facilities of the five towers (comprising eight units per tower), as well as the row houses, which number 21 in total. Once these repairs are completed, it will mark the end of SMHDF’s post-Hurricane Irma recovery phase. Director Helen Salomons stated that this will allow the organization to shift focus to other pending projects that have had their start dates delayed by the impact of Irma.

“We continue to work with our clients to facilitate their repairs in an efficient and effective manner,” Salomons says. “There have been challenges along the way but SMHDF has remained committed to executing these projects in and efficient and safe manner. For 2019 we deem it of pivotal importance that tenants collaborate with us to have this vision materialized in a swift manner. We can celebrate this holiday season with what has been accomplished so far, while we have maintained the same low rent rates for the past 22 years. Some as low as ANG 155, -.  Together let’s focus on the whole process of creating opportunities reimaged.”

The foundation celebrated their progress on Friday, 7 December 2018 with a grand customer appreciation party, which was attended by a cross-section of over 300 tenants of SMHDF’s communities. During the event, SMHDF raffled over 100 prizes to exuberant tenants. Food and beverages were also provided compliments of the SMHDF. The main prize of a 55” flat-screen TV was won by Sandra Hassell.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - In previous press releases on November 22 and 27, the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development and Labor informed the public of Romaine lettuce originating from the United States due to potential contamination with the E coli bacteria. This romaine lettuce is available in most supermarkets and restaurants on the island.

In addition, the Inspectorate also advised the public not to consume and discard of already purchased Romaine Lettuce. Drawers or shelves in the refrigerator where the lettuce was stored should be washed and sanitized. Restaurants were strongly advised not to serve any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing Romaine.

The Inspectorate received an update from the FDA on December 13 providing the following information:

As of December 13, FDA has further refined the trace back investigation down to the farm level, which narrows the list of romaine growing areas that FDA recommends consumers and retailers avoid down to the following counties: Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Barbara.

The strain of E. coli O157:H7 causing the current outbreak was identified in one sample collected in the sediment of an agricultural water reservoir at one ranch owned and operated by Adam Bros. Farming, Inc., in Santa Barbara County. The strain isolated from this sample matched those collected from ill persons in this outbreak

San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz and Ventura counties in California have been removed from the list at this time. Other growing areas, for example Florida, Mexico and the desert growing regions near Yuma and Imperial County, Riverside County do not appear to be related to the current outbreak

The FDA is issuing the following updated recommendation as part of its investigation and public warning:

• Based on discussions with producers and distributors, romaine lettuce entering the market will now be voluntarily labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date or labeled as being hydroponically- or greenhouse-grown. Consumers may notice that romaine lettuce is beginning to be available in stores with this new labeling. If it does not have this information, you should not eat or use it.
• Romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Barbara counties in California does not appear to be related to the current outbreak and need not be avoided. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these sources

The Inspectorate remains in close contact with the FDA and USDA. Importers and re-sellers are informed and the necessary spot checks are performed. 

SINT MAARTEN (ST. JOHN’S ESTATE) - On Friday December 7, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise and the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) jointly presented a portable fundus camera to the newly opened ophthalmology clinic of the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise initiated the purchase of the camera.

During the presentation SMMC’s Ophthalmologist Dr. Jerrel Pawiroredjo, the eye specialist of Surinam who is assisting the SMMC with the newly opened eye care clinic, explained that he first visited Sint Maarten in 2015 on the request of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise Club.

He was asked to install the then newly purchased fundus camera at the WYCCF in order to start preventative screening activities for all residents on Sint Maarten who suffer from diabetes and / or hypertension. Dr. Virginia Asin, past President of Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, initiated this.

A physician herself and then working at the department of Collective Preventive Services within the Ministry of Public Health here on the island, she saw the importance of screening and early detection of eye problems.

When Dr. Pawiroredjo met with local stakeholders he realized there was no Ophthalmology clinic on the Dutch side, which amazed him as the prevalence of secondary complications from diabetes and hypertension (such as preventable blindness) was high.

This realization triggered his first conversations with SMMC to research the possibilities of collaboration between Sint Maarten and Surinam in order to setup quality ophthalmology services here on the island.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise President Valda Hazel stated that the club is extremely proud of the donation of the fundus camera to the SMMC Ophthalmology clinic.

It shows how the project for a vital piece of medical equipment was the first trigger that later on resulted in full, high quality ophthalmology services being available locally, which is so important for the population of Sint Maarten.

Representative of WYCCF Bregje Boetekees explained that the fundus camera fits best within the eye clinic at SMMC where screening can now be done by the TOA (technical ophthalmology assistant).

The camera operates painlessly and takes a picture of the inside of the eye, showing the optical nerve and blood vessels. As diabetes and hypertension can cause damage to the nerve and blood vessels, early detection of such damage leads to early treatment, which will prevent far-reaching problems such as loss of vision.

Rotary International observes a different theme each month, each club throughout the Rotary world is encouraged to concentrate on programs and projects to promote each of these months.

December is observed as Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, the donated camera ties in with the monthly theme. The members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise continue with its service to humanity.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Four-man rowing team Atlantic Discovery commenced The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Wednesday morning, beginning a 3,000-mile row from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The team is sponsored by NAGICO Insurances, a diversified insurance company serving 21 territories in the Caribbean.

“We wish this inspirational team a safe and healthy passage,” said NAGICO Group Chief Strategy and Development Officer Kyria Ali. “This journey is one of extreme human endeavour, which resonates closely with NAGICO’s story. It is a true test of physical and mental endurance, and we are honored to be a part of it.”

During the first week, the team will need to adjust to the limited space, rigorous rowing schedule, and irregular sleep patterns.

“In order to overcome the discomfort, seasickness and isolation, the team will have to be resilient and work together, Ms. Ali continued. “The resilience, strength and teamwork that the Atlantic Discovery team is demonstrating are aligned with NAGICO’s core corporate values.”

Speaking on behalf of the Atlantic Discovery team, Cameron Parker, a Zurich-based director at Swiss Re, said that the sponsorship was tremendously valuable.

“We have been impressed by the support received from the NAGICO team from the start. They have been involved in helping us prepare and boosting the team’s morale. We feel like part of the NAGICO family and consider ourselves very lucky to have entered this mutually advantageous partnership.”

Other members of this intrepid team include London-based members Ben Ajayi-Obe, data scientist, Isaac Kenyon, geologist, and Jack Hopkins, cyber security researcher.

The team is participating in the row to raise £60K (USD $80K) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which affects 2.5 million people worldwide. The team will be starting the row having already made significant progress toward this target.

There are about 28 vessels taking part in the challenge, representing 14 countries. The total fleet of 88 rowers is expected to take between 40 and 60 days to complete the crossing.