PHILIPSBURG:--- Social & Health Insurances SZV is excited to announce a new addition to our medical insurance coverage: services from The Diabetic Foot Care Sint Maarten Foundation (D-FOOT). This new benefit is a big step forward in ensuring our diabetic community has access to the necessary healthcare to improve their quality of life.

"SZV is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to our community. The addition of D-FOOT services to our coverage is a significant step in ensuring our diabetic population receives the specialized care they need. D-FOOT's expertise in preventing diabetic foot complications, including amputations, will greatly benefit our insured members, improving their quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. This was a priority during my tenure, and I am happy to see it come to fruition." – Minister Omar Ottley.

D-FOOT is known for its work in preventing serious foot complications, including amputations, in people with diabetes. By focusing on preventing amputations related to diabetic foot diseases, D-FOOT has played a pivotal role in reducing healthcare costs and significantly improving patient outcomes.

SZV coverage for D-FOOT services includes, but is not limited to:

• Detailed Foot Checks: Identifying and assessing risk in feet, checking for things like toenail problems, deformities, and areas where too much pressure can cause damage.
• Regular Foot Inspections: Regular checks are performed on all patients, whether they’re at low, high, or very high risk of foot issues, including persons on dialysis.
• Wound Care: Managing and treating wounds to help them heal better and prevent new problems, especially for persons with diabetic ulcers.
• Foot Care by Medical Experts: After all checks are done, certified medical pedicurists provide specialized foot care to prevent ulcers.
• Thorough Vascular Checks: In-depth examinations for anyone with nerve damage or wounds not caused by diabetes.
• Medical Aid Supplies: These include products such as special shoes and custom insoles made for diabetic patients.

In addition to these services, D-FOOT offers extensive diabetic education aimed at empowering patients to take an active role in the management of their foot health. This education extends to family members and healthcare providers, enhancing community-wide awareness of diabetic foot complications.

This new agreement between SZV and D-FOOT will go into effect as of April 26, 2024. SZV insured will require a referral from their family doctor or specialist when scheduling an appointment with D-FOOT. 

PHILIPSBURG:---  "In response to recent media coverage referencing a statement from his Excellency Governor A. Baly indicating the presence of seven candidate ministers, Formateur Dr. Luc Mercelina issues this corrective statement to clarify the accurate count of ministerial candidates," the press release stated.

It has come to the attention of the Formateur that there may have been confusion regarding the proposed number of candidate ministers expected for May 3. While the Governor's statement suggested seven candidate ministers, it is imperative to note that nine candidate ministers were included in the final report submitted by Formateur Dr. Luc Mercelina as part of the government formation process in his report.

"Dr. Luc Mercelina reaffirms that the inclusion of nine candidate ministers in the final report is accurate and reflective of the comprehensive deliberations and considerations undertaken during the formation process," concluded the press release.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has detected counterfeit NAf. 100 banknotes in circulation. The counterfeit NAf. 100 banknotes are of very good quality, making them challenging to distinguish from genuine NAf. 100 bills.
Following a thorough analysis of the counterfeit banknotes, the CBCS has observed the following prominent distinguishing characteristics:
- The paper used for the counterfeit banknotes feels thicker, stiffer, and coarse compared to that of genuine banknotes.
- Genuine banknotes feature a shadow watermark bearing the former CBCS logo. When held up to the light, the shadow watermark displays a gradient of lighter and darker shades relative to the surrounding paper. The relief of the watermark can be observed when real banknotes are laid flat, and it is also tactile. To verify the watermark, place a thin piece of paper on it and lightly shade over it with a soft pencil. If the outline of the shadow watermark does not appear, the banknote is suspicious.
- On genuine banknotes, the letters N and A should align perfectly when held against the light. The letter N on the front fits precisely into the letter A on the back, forming an image. Counterfeit bills often exhibit imperfect alignment (with noticeable gaps where the letters should align).
- The front of the banknote features a tactile ink layer in several areas, such as the numerical value, the text, and the bird illustration. Additionally, the upper right corner of the bill contains an identifying mark for the visually impaired, which can be easily detected by touch.
- The gold-colored foil on the front of genuine banknotes is shiny and has a (lighter) golden yellow color against the white area of the banknote. In contrast, the gold-colored foil of counterfeit banknotes is dull in color and has a dark golden-brown color against the white area.
- The ink used for the small print within the text block on the back of authentic banknotes is slightly lighter and displays a subtle color-gradient effect, transitioning from lighter to slightly darker. Conversely, the ink on counterfeit banknotes is darker in appearance and (almost) lacks any noticeable color gradient. The small print on genuine banknotes is sharply legible, while on counterfeit banknotes, these (small) letters are often not as sharp and, therefore, less easily legible.
- The bird illustration on the front and the Bank's former logo on the back of counterfeit banknotes are printed using darker ink. - Counterfeit banknotes have virtually no planchettes (glitter). The planchettes change color on genuine banknotes as the banknote is tilted or rotated.
- Using a "counterfeit money pen" to draw a line on a counterfeit banknote will leave a black/brown mark on the banknote, whereas this is not the case with genuine banknotes.
- The margin at the bottom of the counterfeit banknotes is wider than that of genuine banknotes.
The CBCS encourages the public to exercise increased vigilance when handling banknotes (particularly 100 guilder bills). Counterfeiters tend to operate during evening hours (especially at hospitality venues) or in dimly lit locations, making it more challenging to identify counterfeit currency. Owners and employees of such establishments are particularly urged to remain vigilant. If you have significant doubts about the authenticity of a banknote, it is advised to decline it and contact the police.
For more information about the security features of our banknotes, please visit the CBCS website http://www.centralbank.cw/banknotes. On our website, you will also find an educational video about the various security features of our banknotes. The video also emphasizes the fact that it is not the appearance of a paying person that tells if a banknote is authentic, but that the authenticity can only be determined based on the security features. The video can be viewed via the following link: https://www.centralbank.cw/education/videos/security-features-of-banknotes
You are reminded that it is illegal for any person and or institution to accept and keep counterfeit banknotes. You are advised to immediately contact the police if you think you’re dealing with a counterfeit banknote. The counterfeiting of banknotes and the fraudulent use of counterfeit means of payment are punishable by imprisonment of up to 9 years.

Willemstad, April 26, 2024 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:--- On April 16th and 17th, a delegation from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management visited Saba. The delegation was headed by the Director General for Environment and International Affairs at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W), Afke van Rijn, with her team, Sebe Buitenkamp and Milton Horn.
Their visit began with a tour of the solar park, accompanied by Governor Jonathan Johnson and Island Secretary Bram Streppel. They were hosted by Managing Director of Saba Electric, Mark Zagers, who expressed his thanks to various Ministries and funding agencies for assisting with the building of the solar park. He also described the challenges faced such as the rising cost of fuel and equipment.
A visit to the Hell’s Gate Guts followed as Governor Johnson explained various issues surrounding this area such as illegal dumping of garbage and erosion.
On the 17th of April, at Saba Splash, the delegation was welcomed by Oscar Vander Kaap who gave a tour of the facility. He explained the process of how the water is filtered, the addition of the minerals in accordance with Dutch law, and the bottling process. He stated that testing on St. Maarten continues for each batch and indicated that while 60% of the population uses Saba Splash, there is still capacity to grow, with hopes for further reducing the cost.
Following this, a meeting was held between the delegation and Department Heads of Waste Management, Policy and Project Bureau, and Infrastructural and Spatial Development. One of the main discussion points was clarity on the upcoming implementation of the IAB BES and how the Ministry of IenW, along with the Inspectorate for Human Environment and Transport (ILT), would work with PES in actualizing this goal. The delegation team also acknowledged the unique situation on Saba which must be considered.
In the afternoon, the delegation joined Zelda Meeuwsen, Head of Infrastructural & Spatial Development, Courtney Hassell, Policy Advisor, and Mark Zagers at Fort Bay. Meeuwsen showed the location for the new Black Rocks Harbor and shared the plans and timeline for construction, while Zagers presented the potential location of the new solar park. Zagers shared his concerns about drainage and runoff into the ocean as there is growing environmental concern. Hassell reiterated this, citing the decline in coral from around thirty percent coverage in the 1990s to just eight percent now, which encourages Saba to work more towards protecting the environment when making strides to becoming more self-sufficient.
The delegation then visited the waste management facility. Waste Management Department Head Roxanne Simmons explained the process of exporting waste and the changes that have been made since the beginning of the year. She also expressed the challenge related to community involvement, as efforts are still being made to encourage people to dispose of their waste responsibly via the correct bins.
During their last stop at the Saba Research Center, Alwin Hylkema shared information on various projects such as the Diadema-Sea urchin research which focuses on restoring the coral reefs around Saba.
The delegation left on April 17th with the Makana ferry, going onward to Sint Eustatius.