PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), Hon. Veronica Jansen Webster said on Thursday in response to a press statement by the Soualiga Employers Association (SEA) about the Sustainable Affordable Act (SAAHA) (formerly known as National Health Insurance (NHI)) that the implementation of the NHI is not hasty.
The first contours of the NHI were drafted in 2007. The unsustainable financial situation as well as the ordeals for persons who have no access to a health insurance, have been the reason to aim for a General Health Insurance (GHI).
A draft National Ordinance was sent for advice to Social Economic Council (SER) and the Council of Advice (COA) in 2015 and 2017, but it never reached Parliament. The deep socio-economic crisis after the hurricanes in 2017 and the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 has left no room for any further delay.
The financial situation has worsened progressively with every delay in the past years and is now in a critical stage. At this moment, the financial deficits of Social Health Insurances SZV as well as medical costs for uninsured persons have to be compensated by the Government.
The large of amounts of tax income used to compensate for deficits in our health system could have been spent on investments for economic growth.
With SAAHA, the deficits will be less than when we continue with our current health financing. Moreover, SAAHA will cover the uninsured, the government currently has to compensate for in case of lifesaving interventions.
The current deficits of the health funds necessitate the use of AOV to guarantee continuity of care. This leads to an accelerated depletion of the pensions of Sint Maarten citizens. Without SAAHA, the financial deficits in our health financing will continue to increase and the need for cross financing from the AOV funds will persist.
We fully agree that additional measures are necessary to stabilize the funding of our health system. SAAHA is the first and most important step, however, additional sources of income have to be considered, such as tourist tax, health taxes for unhealthy behaviors and medical tourism.
Regarding SEAs concerns of the challenges of a shared border and undocumented residents, the humanitarian approach of the French side towards healthcare actually alleviates rather than puts strains on our health system. Many prefer the provisions on the French side rather than the ones and the access on the Dutch side.
SAAHA is an individual insurance meant for all people who are entitled because of their residency status and others who are not resident but contribute to our economy: All registered persons living on Sint Maarten, irrespective of their employment status, are eligible for SAAHA.
Undocumented persons are eligible when they have a contract and pay taxes for more than 20 hours per week. To prevent abuse of the system, all others are not eligible. For example, undocumented persons with less than 20 hours labour per week as well as registered persons living abroad.
Moreover, there are provisions to prevent that people try to qualify for SAAHA solely to have access to expensive treatments they need. For example, people living with HIV who do not have affordable access to medication elsewhere.
Young Talents Caribbean Region L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science: Empowering a Generation of Female Researchers
San Juan, Puerto Rico:--- “The world needs science and science needs women”. The Young Talents Caribbean Region L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) program is a partnership between L’Oréal Caribe, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, with the support of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Caribbean Division– seeking to connect the dots between Caribbean development challenges, scientific research, and female empowerment by recognizing and honoring two young scientists with an endowment of $10,000 USD to further develop their scientific endeavors.
The annual FWIS Awards Ceremony was held in October 25, at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus, during the 39th AAAS Caribbean Division Convention. The event attracted notable figures within the scientific community of the Caribbean, all to celebrate the achievements of two bright, accomplished, young women whose futures in STEM are still unfolding.
The 2024 FWIS recipients in the Caribbean specialize in the fields of agricultural science and sustainability.
• Mrs. Gillian Rowe, whose research focuses on the identification of causative agents for ginger rhizome rot at the University of West Indies, Mona in Jamaica, aims to enhance commercial ginger spice production. By profiling microbial communities, Mrs. Rowe seeks to develop eco-friendly agroproducts such as probiotics and bio stimulants to combat this disease. In the long term, this research will contribute to understanding local biodiversity, benefiting not only ginger but also other commercial crops and clinical microbiology in Jamaica. By tailoring agroproducts to local conditions, the work promises to lower production costs for farmers, reduce post-harvest losses, and support the livelihoods of many farmers, particularly women, as they restore their infected agriculture.
• Savanna Lloyd, PhD., whose research focuses on organic semiconductor materials at the University of West Indies, Mona in Jamaica, is dedicated to optimizing deposition processes for highly efficient electronic devices. Recognizing the limitations of traditional inorganic materials used in processor chips, LED displays, and photovoltaic panels, Dr. Lloyd explores the advantages of organic semiconductors, which can be fabricated using simpler and more cost-effective methods. By developing a meniscus-guided deposition process, the research aims to induce uniform molecular self-assembly in thin films, balancing processability, thin film integrity, and molecular orientation. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the production of electronic devices, making them more accessible and efficient.
“L’Oréal Caribe is proud to recognize this second edition of For Women in Science program, in our region. This initiative gives Caribbean women in STEM the visibility and resource contributions needed to help them excel in their fields, advance their careers and establish themselves as leaders and role models for the next generation of girls and young women. We are delighted to showcase this class of FWIS awardees, who will undoubtedly carry on this legacy, complete groundbreaking research and inspire others to impact the world through their game-changing science”, said Gilles Delaunay, General Manager of L’Oréal Caribe.
The For Women in Science philanthropic program embodies L'Oréal's fundamental belief in the indispensable connection between science and women. This initiative aspires to cultivate a doctorate, postdoctoral, and early career community of women, empowering them to persist in their research, attain leadership roles, and become inspirational mentors for the generations of women and girls that will follow in their path.
"This joint initiative represents a significant advancement in providing ongoing support for this essential program. By this effort, we aim not only to increase research publications but also to empower women scientists to utilize their expertise for the development of our region. Our optimistic vision is for this transformative initiative to have a lasting presence in our community for years ahead”, said Dr. Natasha de León, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Caribbean Division
The Young Talents Caribbean Region marked the 53rd national and regional L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science program around the world, covering 24 islands in the region. The peer review and jury deliberation were chaired by members from the Caribbean Academy of Sciences. The candidates are evaluated based on their intellectual merit, research potential, scientific excellence, and their commitment to supporting women and girls in science.
“Our collaborative global initiative, the For Women in Science program, has made a significant impact on creating a more inclusive environment for women in scientific careers. It has also sparked a wider societal transformation among institutions, partners, public authorities, and the scientific and academic communities. This effort has promoted a genuine cultural shift, which is essential for sustainable development”, said Ms. Danielle Cliche, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean.
The program key action is: Promoting gender equality in science; at the end of the 1990s, there were only 27% women scientists worldwide. By 2014, this had become 30%, and today we have reached 33% but the progress is far too slow. (Sources: The UNESCO Science Report, 2021). Empowering women scientists to break the glass ceiling; distinct challenges remain to women advancing their careers in science. Only 18% of senior scientific roles are occupied by women in Europe. In addition to valorizing the contribution of women to science, women in science are still not visible enough, and we need more of them to act as role models for younger generations. For example, only 25 women have received the Nobel Prizes in science since its creation in 1901.
“This collaborative effort marks a positive step towards sustained support for this well needed program. With the introduction of this competitive grant, we hope that this will not only to encourage the publication of more research but also to spur women scientists to leverage their work for the region's development. The forward-looking vision is for this impactful initiative to endure in our region for many years to come”, said Dr. Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, Representative of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.
For more information about L'Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science, please visit https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/75.
Celebrating World Children’s Day 2024: Exploring ‘Every Child, Every Right’ with an Inspiring Exhibition.
PHILIPSBURG:--- To celebrate World Children’s Day, the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO partnered with the St. Maarten Library to create a right-of-the-child exhibition at its Philipsburg location and the satellite library at the Asha Steven Elementary School. The display provides useful information on the convention on the rights of the child for parents and children.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “For every child, every right,” reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind. Every child deserves access to basic rights such as quality education, nutritious food, a safe and loving home, clean water, and protection from harm.
The exhibition also features books that can be loaned from the library that focus on the protection of children from discrimination, caring and treatment of children with disabilities, children without families, children in the justice system, and other topics.
Parents, teachers, and students are encouraged to come to the library to receive a free digital copy of the convention on the rights of the child, activity booklets, and to borrow the books on display.
The library invites the public to visit three locations: the Philipsburg location, which is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, including the lunch period; and the branch locations in Cay Hill and Belvedere, which are open from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
For more information, please contact the Sint Maarten Library at +1721-542-2970, or visit our website at www.library.sx. You can also reach us through our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Cft: “Focus on increasing income.
PHILIPSBURG:--- For quite some time now, the CFT has been seriously concerned about the fact that Sint Maarten's income is lower than expected, which leaves the country with limited resources for important public expenses. The adoption of the budget amendment for 2024 and the corresponding positive advice issued by the CFT mean Sint Maarten is able to take out a loan for investments.
Budget for 2024 and 2025
The adoption of the budget amendment for 2024 and the positive advice issued by the CFT mean Sint Maarten is now able to take out a loan for the construction of a new prison, generators for GEBE, and a new building for the Mental Health Foundation. Sint Maarten is also working hard on the completion of the budget for 2025. For the first time since 2010, it is possible for Sint Maarten to adopt the budget prior to the start of the new year, which means the country is taking significant steps to improve its citizens’ prosperity and government finance.
Increase of income
Sint Maarten's tax system is outdated, and the Tax Authorities are hindered by implementation issues. As a consequence, the tax income falls behind in comparison to other countries in the Kingdom. This means Sint Maarten forgoes substantial amounts of income and does not have sufficient resources for important investments. Therefore, the CFT again stresses the importance of modernizing both the tax system and the Tax Authorities. A restructuring process for the Tax Authorities was recently initiated.
The fact that only one institution will collect taxes and premiums will result in a more efficient tax collection and more income. Furthermore, there are other options to increase income, such as the introduction of a tourist tax, the restructuring of the lodging tax, and the introduction of universal health insurance. The CFT, therefore, stresses the importance of rapid implementation of these plans in order to generate more income and sees that the first steps are now being taken in this regard.
Climate and energy
During its visit, the CFT delegation visited several entities that are active in the areas of climate and energy. Projects regarding more sustainable waste processing and the realization of a wastewater treatment plant were the focal point. The CFT delegation also visited GEBE, where the financial position of the company, renewable energy, and sustainable investments were the topics of conversation. During a visit to the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, the importance of nature conservation and the lack of currently available resources were discussed. The main reason for these visits was to assess the impact of these initiatives on the country's multiannual budget.
Empowering Teachers to Boost Scientific Interest: Nature Foundation Showcased Innovative Education Tools.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Nature Foundation hosted an important event for teachers and educators on November 18, 2024, at the SKOS Training Center on the premises of Sister Magda Primary School. Designed to empower educators with innovative tools and strategies for environmental education, the event brought together nearly 50 participants from primary and secondary schools across the Dutch side of the island.
The day featured a walk-through fair showcasing a wide range of educational materials available for loan; all made possible through the generous support of the Blue Marine Foundation and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. These resources are related to the nature of Sint Maarten and are tailored to help teachers enhance nature education and encourage a love of nature among their students.
The educational materials covered six thematic areas, ranging from indoor laboratory equipment to outdoor exploration tools.
In addition to the fair, the event included two hands-on workshops designed to equip educators with creative strategies to engage students in environmental topics. Approximately 20 teachers participated in these sessions, exploring ways to spark curiosity and encourage active learning in the classroom.
"The response from teachers was incredible," said Gaia Piccaluga, CORENA Education Officer at the Nature Foundation. "It’s heartening to see so many educators eager to integrate nature-focused learning into their teaching. With the support of DCNA, we constantly work to provide them with the tools they need to make this a reality."
The Nature Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to all who participated and supported the event, contributing to the promotion of environmental education on the island.
For more information about the Nature Foundation’s educational resources and future initiatives, please email Gaia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.