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PHILIPSBURG:--- What if I told you - that I am not the only guilty one?" asks 11-year-old actor Venndy Isaac in the new film What If I Told You?

Over the weekend, on Caribbean Youth Day, fifty students, ages 6 to 14, celebrated the premiere of the short film 'What If I Told You?' with their teachers, parents, supporters, and dignitaries. The film, written by teacher Rosan Hartley Gayle and acted by students of the MAC John A. Gumbs Campus (MAC JAG), touches on the importance of the support of parents, teachers, and the wider community in a child's development.

The script was first performed by students, including lead character Venndy, at a Spoken Word Competition at the Mens Mental Health Awareness event in May Read more

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Patient In Dominican Republic Had Surgery At Smmc.

~ Doctor mocks patient at SMMC. No agreement in place between the Dominican Republic and St. Maarten.~

PHILIPSBURG/ Dominican Republic:--- The St. Maarten resident Egbert Hector Richardson who is currently a patient at CEDIMAT Dominican Republic went overseas on his own to seek further medical treatment after having surgery at the St. Maarten Medical Center.

Edison Adamus the Director and Pastor of Key to Freedom said that Richardson lives at Key to Freedom since he is in rehabilitation for substance abuse.
He explained that Richardson had a hernia and he was operated upon at the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, September 21st, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley, the National Sports Institute (NSI), and Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), proudly announced the next phase to their island-wide community basketball court enhancement project.

The purpose of the project is to repair and restore the backboards and basketball nets on the outdoor basketball courts in Dutch St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The political landscape in St. Maarten is buzzing with excitement as a fresh face enters the arena with a bold vision for the future. Juanly Abel-Ramirez, a dynamic and forward-thinking candidate, has officially announced her candidacy on the United People's Party (UP) slate, and she's bringing a message of proactivity, innovation, and change.
"I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Parliamentary Election in 2024 with the United People's Party," said Abel-Ramirez on Tuesday Read more

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~(SMDC) Sees 60 plus patients on its first day.~

PHILIPSBURG:---  On Friday, September 15th the SMDC officially opened its doors to the public. The center will offer after-hour general practitioners (GP) service to the general public, Monday through Friday 6 pm - 12 am, Saturday 8 am - 12 pm, and on Sunday 10 am - 12 pm. The initiative was brought to the Ministry of VSA by Doctors Michael and Danny Dennaoui as an initiative that would improve access to quality health care. The project was approved by the Minister of Public Health, Social Development Labor, Omar Ottley with hopes that it would alleviate the long waits at the St Read more

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Investments In Mental Health Sector Will Improve Access And Service Delivery

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Sint Maartens healthcare sector will receive a significant investment in the coming years through the Improving Mental Health Services Project with a goal to sustainably improve the entire mental healthcare chain. The project will seek to improve access and quality in service delivery and contribute to the construction of a new mental health facility geared towards future demand.

Recognizing the urgent need for more effective and accessible mental healthcare, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Omar Ottley is pleased that this project is well on its way to successful implementation.

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being, and it is imperative that the national mental health system is robust and adequately resourced to meet the growing demand for mental health services Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maartens healthcare sector will receive significant investment in the coming years through the Improving Mental Health Services Project with a goal to sustainably improve the entire mental healthcare chain. The project will seek to improve access and quality in service delivery and contribute to the construction of a new mental health facility geared towards future demand.

Recognizing the urgent need for more effective and accessible mental healthcare, Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) Omar Ottley is pleased that this project is well on its way to successful implementation.

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being, and it is imperative that the national mental health system is robust and adequately resourced to meet the growing demand for mental health services Read more

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Gebe Considering Dropping Payment Plan Deposit To 25%

Clockwise from left: VSA Minister Omar Ottley, GEBE Special Representative/Temporary Manager Troy Washington and GEBE Commercial Manager Iris Arrindell.

PHILIPSBURG--Utilities comp Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On Thursday, September 7th, a heartwarming discussion was held between NV GEBE's Special Representative/Temporary Manager, Troy Washington, Commercial Manager Iris Arrindell, and the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), the Honorable Omar Ottley Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- MINISTRY OF Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) held its Closing and Certification Ceremony of the SME Entrepreneurship Development Program (SEDP) and launched the Sint Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC) on Friday, August 25th, 2023.

The structured one-year Business Support and Entrepreneurship Development Training Program which targeted both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs funded by the Department of Economy, Transportation and Telecommunication (ETT) and executed by A & A Accounting and HPS Consulting, cumulated with a grand successful finale on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the Belair Community Center.

A sense of accomplishment was felt during the evening as the participants in the program displayed their products and/or services and vividly networked with all invited guests.

Over the one-year training and coaching period, the program boasts of its Key milestones achieved
The number of existing businesses registered with the program grew from 43% (16) to 92% (42) Read more

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Consumer Price Index (Cpi) Legislation Needed For The Increase Of Aov Pension Approved In Parliament.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On August 16th, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley presented legislation to Parliament regarding the reparation of several legislations used to increase amounts such as pension and minimum wage.

"I am proud to announce that it was voted on and approved by Parliament unanimously. This critical legislation will allow the long-awaited increase of AOV pension to occur for 2023, and ensures a timely annual indexation of minimum wage and pension moving forward," stated Minister Ottley.

The changes to specific regulations include the national ordinance on general old-age insurance (pension), the national ordinance on general widows and orphans insurance, the national ordinance on minimum wages, the national health insurance ordinance, and the national accident insurance ordinance.

The legislation amends the provisions of certain national regulations relating to the adjustment of amounts based on developments in the price index for household consumption.

Under current legislation, the adjustment of amounts such as pension is subject to the CPI for the month of August of the previous year to the current year.

However, in 2018, the methodology used by the Department of Statistics has been adjusted and the price index is determined quarterly.

Therefore, JZW, SER, COA, and the Governor have all given negative advice on all attempts to index pensions based on 3rd quarter CPI Read more

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United People's Party Extends Gratitude For Successful 2023 Convention, Recognizes Outstanding Contributions.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United People's Party (UP Party) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the general public and the more than seven hundred attendees who made the UP Party's 2023 Convention an unparalleled success. Held on Sunday, August 13, at the esteemed Aleeze Convention Center, the event was a remarkable display of unity, strength, and meticulous organization.
Distinguished by an impressive parade, the convention saw the dynamic leadership duo of Member of Parliament, the Honorable Rolando Brison, securing his reelection as the UP Party leader, and Minister Omar Ottley officially being elected as the Deputy Leader Read more

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~ The UPP was not formed to benefit one individual or their families Franklyn Meyers.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Despite the infighting and political backstabbing, the United Peoples Party led by Rolando Brison is back as their supporters showed up in large numbers showing their support for the new and reformed UPP the green machine.
On Sunday evening persons within the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley continues exercise classes through Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor.

In accordance with its mandate, CDFHA explored various avenues of collaboration with senior organizations to gain a better understanding of their circumstances; assessed the senior organizations registered with the department.

Deriving from the assessment, CDFHA executed a three-month exercise pilot program, facilitated by Fitness Attitude for the senior organizations Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley is pleased to announce that the Council of Ministers has approved the bid submitted from Independent Consulting Engineers (ICE) to execute the technical aspect of the second cohort of the extensive home repair project.

Since the passing of the hurricane in 2017, the Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs Department has carried out a variety of small-scale housing repairs as part of the Ministry of VSA's recovery initiatives.

However, it was determined that beneficiaries required greater repairs, and as a result, the first cohort of the large-scale home repair project was implemented in 2022.

Minister Ottley deemed it essential to execute the second cohort of the program due to the high demand, the success of the first cohort, and number of registered beneficiaries who require home repairs Read more

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Extension Of Water Supply Agreement Signed Between Vsa And Seven Seas Water Group

From left: Seven Seas Water Group Lead Project Engineer Lester Bryan and Managing Director Franklyn Richards, with VSA Minister Omar Ottley.

 ~ GEBE saving $400,000 annually ~

 PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley in collaboration with GEBE N.V Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On June 30th, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Omar Ottley in collaboration with GEBE N.V. and Seven Seas Water Group ("SSWG"), a multinational provider of Water-as-a-Service ("WaaS") solutions signed a 2-year extension of the current water supply agreement. This agreement entailed renegotiating key terms and conditions which will yield a savings of approximately $400,000.00 on water production annually for GEBE N.V Read more

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New Mou Allows Non-Big-Registered Professionals To Work In St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG--A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalising the agreement on new method for evaluating medical professionals and medical specialists with a foreign diploma was recently signed between the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Omar Ottley, and Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands, Ernst K Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Omar Ottley, on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands, Ernst Kuipers in order to structure the collaboration on how the quality and competency of medical professionals and medical specialists with a foreign diploma, who intend to establish themselves and practice their profession on Sint Maarten shall be assessed.

The MOU went into effect on June 30th for a period of five years and will jointly be evaluated after two (2) years, in order to decide on the continuation of the collaboration Read more

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Pilot Of First After-Hour House Doctor Care To Start At Smdc

From left: SMDC Chief Operations Manager Joshua Djemadi, Dr. Danny Dennaoui of SMDC, VSA Minister Omar Ottley, SZV Director Glen Carty and SZV Chief Operations Officer Reginald Willemsberg.

SIMPSON BAY--Persons who are in need of urgent non-emergency medical attention after business hours will soon be able to receive care at St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Omar Ottley, alongside Social & Health Insurances SZV and the St. Maarten Diagnostic Center (SMDC), made history on Monday, June 19, with the contract signing of the Huisarten Post (HAP) services referred to as House Doctor Care after-hours. Present at the signing, were the honorable Minister of VSA, Mr Read more

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WomenS Self-Defence Training Expanded To Include 20 Women

From left: Aartwichgt Bell, VSA Minister Omar Ottley and Mike Cornet.

PHILIPSBURG--The Womens Basic Self Defense Training has been expanded to include twenty women in the second cohort.

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PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley, led a high-level delegation to the 111th International Conference held in Geneva. The delegation included Secretary-General Joy Arnell, Department Head of Labor Linda Froston, Cabinet Members Alissa Rios and Johnnie Richardson, as well as representatives from the employers Ms Read more

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Countries Take Decisions To Improve Healthcare

From left: Minister Dangui Oduber of Aruba, Dutch State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen, Minister Javier Silvania of Curaao and Omar Ottley of St. Maarten. (Aruba government photo)

ORANJESTAD/WILLEMSTAD--The Public Health ministers of Aruba, Curaao and St. Maarten and state secretary of Public Health of the Netherlands came together in Curaao last week for the fifth edition of the Four-Country Public Health Consultation Read more

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