PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) proudly joins the global community in celebrating National Nurses Week, observed from May 6–12, 2025. This year’s theme, “Care, Lead, Inspire — Repeat,” honors the dedication, resilience, and leadership of nurses everywhere, including the committed professionals right here on Sint Maarten.

Minister of VSA Richinel Brug extends heartfelt congratulations and deep gratitude to all nurses serving on the front lines of health care across the island, in particular nurses working within the Ministry of VSA:

“Nurses are the heart of our health care system — steadfast in compassion, courage, and commitment. I want to sincerely thank each Sint Maarten nurse for your work. Your ability to care, to lead in difficult moments, to inspire those around you, and to return each day with renewed purpose is nothing short of extraordinary.”

This week, under the theme introduced by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), we celebrate the enduring rhythm of nursing leadership. Nurses care deeply for patients, teams, and communities. They lead with integrity and vision, even in the most complex environments. They inspire through action, advocacy, and unwavering dedication — and they do it all, over and over again, every shift and every day.

All residents are encouraged to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the invaluable role nurses play in our society.

As we honor National Nurses Week 2025, let us uplift those who continue to care, lead, inspire, and repeat.

PHILIPSBURG:---  (DCOMM) – The application process for the annual Hurricane Passes for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season that started on April 14 is currently underway.

Applicants are reminded that they should submit documents before the May 30 deadline.

There are two types of passes, the Disaster Pass and the Hurricane Pass.  No passes will be issued to business owners, only with some exemption categories as noted below.

The pass allows the bearer to access the public road to visit the place of business to assess possible damage to the property.  No company passes will be accepted during curfew hours.  This can only take place during certain hours that will be stipulated and announced by the Prime Minister in a curfew situation.

Potential applicants have until Friday, May 30, 2025, to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a pass.

Disaster Passes are issued to the following crucial disaster relief organizations and are valid for three years.  The disaster relief organization consists of the following: Emergency Operations Center staff, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) staff, Crucial governmental organizations, and entities involved in disaster management such as medical institutions, general practitioners and pharmacies, Red Cross, WIEMS, White & Yellow Cross Foundation, National Security Service VDSM, Sea Rescue, Shelter Management, Ministers, and their drivers.

The following categories qualify for a Hurricane Pass which is valid for two-years: Essential Government personnel without a disaster pass; Essential personnel of crucial companies or organizations: NV GEBE, Seven Seas Water, Telecom and Internet providers, Princess Juliana International Airport, Port St. Maarten, Hotels and Guesthouses, Marinas, Fuel distributors and gas stations, Commercial banks, Hardware stores, Security companies (supervisors only), Medium and large sized supermarkets, Restaurants (those providing food services to emergency services), Importers and Wholesale Companies for perishable goods (Only requests can be submitted for refrigeration and or generator technicians).

The crucial organizations listed above (disaster & hurricane passes) can request personal passes for their key personnel.

The Office of Disaster Management that falls under the Ministry of General Affairs is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The Hurricane Pass is valid for the 2025 and 2026 hurricane seasons and will remain the property of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Please note that company passes from the following institutions, Sint Maarten Medical Center and White & Yellow Cross Foundation, will be accepted during curfew hours.

The pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergency situations. After a disaster has occurred, the Prime Minister assesses the damage in conjunction with the government's Emergency Disaster Management entities and can impose a curfew if the extent of the damage poses a threat to the safety and security of the community.

An application form can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Emails should include the following: the name of the business or organization; a short description of its activities; and a request for either disaster or hurricane pass.

When submitting the application, the following documents need to be attached:

-      copy business license fee paid (or receipt) for 2025 for businesses.

-      proof of 2025 registration at the Chamber of Commerce, for organizations.

-      copy valid Sint Maarten ID-card of applicant.

-      Nafl. 50,- in leges stamps per application (to be obtained at the Receiver’s Office or the Simpson Bay Public Service Center), this is a non-refundable handling fee; a copy of a digital payment transfer is accepted as well.

-      One (1) passport picture for new applicants, to be sent in JPEG-format to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name of the person clearly indicated.

The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management – in print form, to the attention of the secretary located at Jackal Road 5 (Office hours Monday-Friday 9.00AM to 4.00PM), Cay Hill, by Friday, May 30, 2025, with all necessary documents attached.

Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The 23rd Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2025 and the 14th World Immunization Week (WIW) took place from April 26 to May 3, throughout the Americas to prevent childhood diseases under the umbrella of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The theme for the vaccine-preventable disease campaign was, “Your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all.”

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Section Youth Health Care Baby Wellness Clinic, stood in solidarity with the VWA campaign, and is encouraging persons to check their vaccination records to ensure that they and their children’s vaccination records are up to date. In the next few weeks, CPS will invite students with their parents to double-check their child’s vaccination coverage.

This year, the VWA campaign was aligned with the Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to accelerate the elimination of more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions, of which 11 are vaccine-preventable diseases.

At PAHO, they aim to end more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions by 2030. The Elimination Initiative is an innovative policy that promotes an integrated, sustainable approach to accelerate progress towards elimination of diseases in the Region of the Americas.

PAHOs commitment to the Elimination Initiative is to improve the quality of life for people and communities. This requires everybody to think and act differently, creating synergies and transformative strategies. Take action to end the suffering and harm caused by communicable diseases, ensuring that health thrives and the community flourishes.

PAHO says the timing is critical. Over the past decades, the Americas have achieved remarkable milestones in disease elimination such as when smallpox was eradicated in 1980, followed by the elimination of polio. Rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and neonatal tetanus were also wiped out.

By 2024, several countries had become malaria-free, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV had been halted. However, challenges persist.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health interventions and set back progress. Now, PAHO pointed out, we must seize this moment to accelerate disease elimination and build on our successes.

The campaign focus is on the protection provided by vaccines as a crucial part of ensuring an active life.

Every child needs to get vaccinated against childhood diseases, which decreases the risk of illness, disability, and death from vaccine-preventable diseases, including cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, diarrhea, rubella, and tetanus.

The vaccine that prevents the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) protects girls ages nine to 14 and offers them lifelong protection against cervical cancer, one of the main causes of death among women.

According to PAHO, it is imperative to effectively implement and maintain routine children’s vaccination coverage, as the lack of such can leave children susceptible to diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles, and diphtheria, especially children who have compromised immunity.

Vaccines remain the best option for protecting against childhood diseases. Therefore, it is important to make sure your vaccine records are up to date and safely secured, as you would your passport or other identity documents.

~Addresses the potential physical and mental impacts of menopause.~

As U 2 Can Move continues its week of events in celebration of its 13th anniversary, the general public is invited to join us for an informative health and wellness lecture. We are excited to present a panel of three professionals who will delve into crucial health topics, including:

Managing Diabetes

Understanding Cholesterol Levels

Blood Pressure Insights

Menopause Awareness and Mental Health.

The lecture is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th at 7 pm. The organizers are asking your attention for a change in venue. The lecture will now be held at the University of St. Martin, Room 202.

The panel consists of Dr. Tasheena Thomas, Registered Dietitian Jeshneila Carti and wellness coach Mrs. Lucia Hodge.

These experts will shed light on the significant health issues that affect both men and women, with a special focus on menopause. Many persons associate menopause only with aging and post-childbearing , however perimenopausal symptoms can also affect our physical and emotional wellbeing. This often places women in a position where they have to navigate physical and emotional changes alongside their day-to-day responsibilities, impacting not just their health but also their relationships with spouses, partners, children and others who may be unaware of the emotional and psychological toll these changes can take.

We will explore how lifestyle modifications—including regular exercise and adopting a healthy diet— can serve as effective coping strategies for managing menopausal symptoms. Our aim is to empower attendees with knowledge that fosters understanding of self and support within families. “It’s not only a women’s thing.”

Join us on Thursday for engaging discussions led by health professionals and a Q&A session to address personal concerns.

Come and receive tips on exercise routines beneficial for managing these health issues.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and share experiences in a supportive environment. For more information and updates about the event, follow us on Facebook.

U 2 Can Move encourages community engagement in adopting healthier lifestyles. We look forward to welcoming you to this vital conversation!