SXMElections.com

 Dialysis Center will be built first ---- Lee.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VSA Emil Lee was certainly not happy on Wednesday when he attended the Council of Minister's press briefing to address the contract that the Director of USZV is about to sign with INSO which was slated for August 31st, 2016.
Minister Lee started off his opening statements by stating that he is conducting the people’s business in an open and transparent way Read more

Parliament Will Meet On Labour, Timeshare Today

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament is scheduled to meet today, Wednesday, in two separate Central Committee meetings, starting at 11:00am and 2:00pm in Parliament House.

  The first meeting has on the agenda the draft initiative ordinance to revise the rules on Timeshare (Timeshare Ordinance) and the draft initiative ordinance establishing a Timeshare Authority (St. Maarten Timeshare Authority Ordinance). Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams is the initiator of both laws and will defend them before her colleague MPs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VSA Emil Lee needs to save his excuses for the Federal Detectives when they knock on his door for explanations about the over NAF200M that is scheduled to be spent from the AOV funds and possibly other accounts managed by USZV, while proper legislation is not in place Read more

Cps National Mosquito Elimination Community Program In Saunders A Success

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Public Health Emil Lee’s National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV,” was a success in Saunders on August 20.

Gerald Davelaar, coordinator for CPS for the program, said he was very pleased with the kick-off start of the project whereby the residents in the area were very cooperative with personnel from the Ministry and volunteers who were out in the field in Saunders Saturday, August 20.

Approximately 100 premises were visited, of which 51 houses.  One in every five houses was found positive with mosquito larvae.  The House Index is 18 per cent and the World Health Organization threshold is around two per cent.

Minister of Public Health Emil Lee was also present and shared out information while speaking with residents about source reduction in how to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

The community program calls for a close collaboration with the people of Sint Maarten and entails house to house visits with one on one education on elimination of mosquito breeding sites in and around the house.

The program also includes inspection of the surroundings of the house by vector controllers; assessment of the findings; set-up and monitoring of traps to study mosquito behavior and larvae development, and if needed targeted fogging of identified locations.

Volunteers from various government entities have been mobilized as volunteers to assist with this community program.

The ultimate purpose is to minimize the occurrence of ZikV by eliminating mosquito breeding sites within the districts with a special focus on the elimination of the Aedes Aegypty mosquito.

CPS reiterates to the population of Sint Maarten as well as visitors to wear light colored clothing at dusk; long sleeve shirts and pants; and use mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten by a mosquito that could possibly be carrying a mosquito borne disease.

CPS re-enforces its message that all residents and businesses need to take proactive measures to prevent mosquitos from breeding.  Be on the alert for mosquito breeding sites and eliminate, especially after heavy rainfall.

Actively destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water Read more

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---The Minister of Public Health Emil Lee’s National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV,” was a success in Saunders on August 20.

Gerald Davelaar, the coordinator for CPS for the program, said he was very pleased with the kick-off start of the project whereby the residents in the area were very cooperative with personnel from the Ministry and volunteers who were out in the field in Saunders Saturday, August 20.

Approximately 100 premises were visited, of which 51 houses Read more

Minister Of Vsa Plans To Circumvent The Law By Creating Subsidiary Companies And Holding Companies To Avoid Sbod Of Uszv.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The contract that the Director of USZV Glen Carty, Minister of VSA Emil Lee intends to sign with INSO on August 31st is misleading and not in the interest of St. Maarten and its people.
SMN News already indicate in its first article that the New Hospital will not have a dialysis center, oncology center and the private wing that was supposed to cater to medical tourism.
Based on the content of the  contractn(Tender Documents and Terms of Refference), it states that USZV or 100% owned subsidiary (special purpose vehicle to facilitate the financing) is the contracting party for the contractor Read more

Said INSO’s Bid should have been disqualified --- No Dialysis, Oncology Center, and Special Wing will be included if INSO constructs Hospital.

PHILIPSBURG:---KPMG and USZV has one more hurdle to cross before the finalization of the contract for the new hospital is realized and they may well have to face court litigations if the contract is awarded to INSO. Two of the three companies that bid on the project has submitted their objections to the project manager at KPMG. According to information and documentation, SMN News obtained the objections were filed on August 12th, 2016.
Some of the arguments used by VAMED, the Austria company that worked on a concept for USZV invested a significant amount of time and also incurred significant costs in order to participate in the tender for the new hospital on St Read more

Dr. Petits Comments Are “Concerning” Says Minister Lee

PHILIPSURG, St. Maarten - During the Council of Ministers Press briefing Minister of Public Health, Social Emil Lee commented on the release issued by former chairman of the supervisory board of SZV Dr. Michel Petit where he stated that he resigned from the board due to the “overreaching and undue influence” from the Minister.  ”Personally, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of VSA Emil Lee tried to bring clarity about the press release sent on by the former chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of USZV. Minister Lee said he has lots of respect for Dr. Petit who is a great professional in his field of medicine. However, the statements in the press release issued by Dr. Petit the Minister said that he only had three meetings with the former chairman of the SOBD of USZV Dr Read more

Adult Clubs ‘Happy’ With Temporary System, Laud Hands-On Approach Lee

PHILIPSBURG--The adult clubs being represented by attorney Jairo Bloem are happy that Labour Minister Emil Lee has “taken the bull by the horn” and put into effect temporary measures that would result in the resumption of the processing and issuance of employment permits for commercial sex workers and dancers operating in the country.

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Petit Steps Down From Szv Board Due To ‘Undue Influence’ From Lee

~ Lee: allegations seems political, wants evidence ~

PHILIPSBURG--“Over reaching and undue influence” from Public Health Minister Emil Lee is one of the reasons gynaecologist Dr. Michel Petit gave as factors for stepping down as Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Social Health Insurance SZV.

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Sharine Daniel Is First Woman To Head Uszv Board

PHILIPSBURG – Sharine Daniel from St. Maarten is the first female to head the Supervisory Board of Directors of the Social Health Insurance USZV as Chairlady.

She joined the board as a member earlier this year, and was elected as designate Chairperson on August 17. She replaces Dr. Michel Petit, who served on the board as a member from 2011, and as Chairman from December 2014, until his resignation, which became effective as of August 15.

The Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labor VSA Emil Lee, and the Supervisory Directors of USZV accepted Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Sharine Daniel from St Maarten is the first female to head the Supervisory Board of Directors of the Social Health Insurance USZV as Chairlady.

She joined the board as a member earlier this year and was elected as designated chairperson on August 17, 2016. She replaces Dr. Michel Petit, who served on the board as a member from 2011 and as chairman from December 2014, until his resignation, which became effective as of August 15.

The Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labor VSA, Emil Lee, and the Supervisory Directors of USZV accepted Dr Read more

Programa De Eliminación De Mosquitos Comienza El Sábado

Traducido por Máximo Castro

PHILIPSBURG. – La erradicación de los criaderos de mosquitos es un esfuerzo continuo del Ministerio de Salud Pública, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo, dijo el Ministro Emil Lee durante la Conferencia de Prensa del Consejo de Ministros, miércoles, 17 de los corriente. Indicó que los Servicios de Prevención colectivas (CPS) está iniciando el Programa Nacional de eliminación de mosquitos este sábado 20 en la zona de Cul-de-Sac / Saunders.

El objetivo de este programa es eliminar los mosquitos que propagan las enfermedades; Chikungunya, dengue y Zika Read more

Lee Says Up Assertion On New Hospital Misleading, Untruthful

~ Says SMMC meeting all expenditures ~

PHILIPSBURG--Misleading, untruthful and incompetent were some of the words used by Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Emil Lee to debunk claims made by United People’s (UP) party about the new hospital that Lee has been pushing to see realised over the past months.

In a lengthy statement on Tuesday, UP Vice President Tatiana Arrindell made several claims about the new hospital including saying that SMMC currently loses money and constructing a larger facility will result in more losses Read more

Mosquito Elimination Program Starts Saturday

PHILIPSBURG – The eradication of mosquito breeding sites is an ongoing effort Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Emil Lee said during the Council of Ministers Press briefing, Wednesday, August 17, that the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is initiating the National Mosquito Elimination Program on Saturday, August 20, in the Cul-de-Sac/Saunders area.

The aim of this program is to eliminate mosquitos that spread diseases; chikungunya, dengue, and Zika Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- We are in the election season. That much is obvious. Creating confusion or fear for political mileage now becomes the norm for some political parties. A prime example of this is the recent opinion piece by the Vice President and political candidate of the UP party Tatiana Arrindell. She wrote a very incompetent and untruthful article which was published in the Today newspaper about our new General Hospital.
I must say that this type of inappropriate behavior, attacks a very large team of dedicated professionals who have put in extremely long hours in order to make the hospital a project for the people of St Read more

Contractors said that opposition politicians are setting up people to dump garbage and set fires on the dump.

PHILIPSBURG:-- The contractors that were awarded the bid for garbage collection in parcel five and six broke their silence once again. Robelto Flanders and Leroy la Paix of Robelto and Sons said in an interview with SMN News that those dumping garbage in St. Peters is doing it deliberately for political purposes. “These people are being motivated by the opposition because their aim is to make the present coalition government look bad during this election period.”
La Paix said on Tuesday morning he caught a man with a pick-up truck dumping garbage beside the garbage bins in the vicinity of the Jose Lake Ball Park Read more

Cps To Embark On National Mosquito Elimination Community Program. Pilot Project Kicks Off August 20

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Public Health Emil Lee has called for National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV.”

The community program calls for a close collaboration with the people of Sint Maarten and entails house to house visits with one on one education on elimination of mosquito breeding sites in and around the house.

The program also includes inspection of the surroundings of the house by vector controllers; assessment of the findings; set-up and monitoring of traps to study mosquito behavior and larvae development, and if needed targeted fogging of identified locations.

The community program Beat ZikV will start in the Saunders area as a pilot project on the weekend of August 20/21.  From there it will expand as a program throughout the Cul de Sac area.  This area was selected due to a close link between mosquito complaints and number of reported ZikV cases.  After the Cul de Sac area the program will be rolled out nationwide.

Coordination will be carried out by the Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Read more

Cps To Embark On National Mosquito Elimination Community Program. Pilot Project Kicks Off August 20

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Public Health Emil Lee has called for National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV.”

The community program calls for a close collaboration with the people of Sint Maarten and entails house to house visits with one on one education on elimination of mosquito breeding sites in and around the house.

The program also includes inspection of the surroundings of the house by vector controllers; assessment of the findings; set-up and monitoring of traps to study mosquito behavior and larvae development, and if needed targeted fogging of identified locations.

The community program Beat ZikV will start in the Saunders area as a pilot project on the weekend of August 20/21.  From there it will expand as a program throughout the Cul de Sac area.  This area was selected due to a close link between mosquito complaints and number of reported ZikV cases.  After the Cul de Sac area the program will be rolled out nationwide.

Coordination will be carried out by the Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.

Volunteers from various government entities have been mobilized as volunteers to assist with this community program.

The ultimate purpose is to minimize the occurrence of ZikV by eliminating mosquito breeding sites within the districts with a special focus on the elimination of the Aedes Aegypty mosquito.

CPS reiterates to the population of Sint Maarten as well as visitors to wear light colored clothing at dusk; long sleeve shirts and pants; and use mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten by a mosquito that could possibly be carrying a mosquito borne disease.

CPS re-enforces its message that all residents and businesses need to take proactive measures to prevent mosquitos from breeding.  Be on the alert for mosquito breeding sites and eliminate, especially after heavy rainfall.

Actively destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water Read more

Cps To Embark On National Mosquito Elimination Community Program. Pilot Project Kicks Off August 20.

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Public Health Emil Lee has called for National Mosquito Elimination Community Program Zika Virus disease (ZikV) “Beat ZikV.”

The community program calls for a close collaboration with the people of Sint Maarten and entails house to house visits with one on one education on the elimination of mosquito breeding sites in and around the house.

The program also includes inspection of the surroundings of the house by vector controllers; assessment of the findings; set-up and monitoring of traps to study mosquito behavior and larvae development, and if needed targeted fogging of identified locations.

The community program Beat ZikV will start in the Saunders area as a pilot project on the weekend of August 20/21 Read more

Dp Thanks Minister Lee For Delivering “Real Change”

PHIIPSBURG – The Democratic Party (DP) is very proud of Health Minister Emil Lee for his efforts in making the development of a new hospital a transparent process.

Member of Parliament (MP) and Leader of DP Sarah Wescot-Williams is pleased that the people of St Read more

Minister Lee Clarifies Plan For New Hospital

PHILIPSBURG--Responding to concerns about several misconceptions regarding the development of a new hospital, Minister of Public Health Emil Lee provided clarity in the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Labor Emil Lee confirmed on Wednesday that he has been getting complaints about the OPCs that are mostly residents of the French side that are operating throughout the Dutch side illegally. The Minister said that these persons have been harassing the island’s visitors and the workers of his department are not responsible for arresting people that are working illegally on the island, that he said falls under the Justice Ministry.
Minister Lee said he also gets complaints that some store owners on Front Street have very aggressive sales people on the road that does not allow the tourists to walk and shop at their own free will Read more