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INTENSIVE TRAINING CONTINUES IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Published 19 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 19, 2017 (SKNIS): The Department of Environment recognizes climate variability and climate change to be two of the most significant threats to sustainable development in St. Kitts and Nevis. Against this backdrop, a number of persons from various fields throughout the federation are currently attending an eight day National Training Workshop in the Use of Climate Models for Decision Making.

The workshop, which runs from April 19-28, is held under the auspices of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

June Hughes, Senior Environment Officer at the Department of Environment, said that the training is timely, as climate change continues to be a clear and present danger. She noted that the department is working closely with regional and international partners to ensure that persons are aware of the dangers that exist.

“We in the Department of Environment have been working to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change, while taking advantage of every capacity building opportunity to improve our adaptive response have strengthened our mitigation measures,” she said. “Each training, workshop and meeting strengthens our country to address and reduce the impacts of climate change.”

Dr. Ulric Trotz, Deputy Executive Director at CCCCC, explained that the workshop would first be rolled out nationally in all 10 countries under the USAID banner, after which regional workshops will be held. He made mention of specific training tools that were developed with the aim of assisting in the generation of scientific information and analysis to help in making informed decisions. These include the Weather Generator (WG), the Tropical Storm Model/ Simple Model for the Advection of Storms and Hurricanes (SMASH), and the Caribbean Drought Assessment Tool (CARiDRO).

“The CARIWIG [Caribbean Weather Impacts Group] tool is a critical tool in that it more or less localizes the projection so that for instance, you can actually look at climate projections for the future in a watershed in St. Kitts and Nevis. It localizes that information and it makes it much more relevant to the local circumstance,” said Dr. Trotz.

The deputy executive director encouraged participants to acquire all the knowledge necessary, as it is the presenters hope that at the end of the training “a cadre of technical skills” would be developed in St. Kitts and Nevis and the region on whole that would help to deal successfully with the challenges faced from climate change.

Training and application of the tools will allow decision-makers to better understand the potential impacts of drought, tropical storms, and rainfall and temperature changes. When combined with other data and information, they can help to build a picture of potential impacts to key economic sectors in the country. The training will target key personnel whose focus are in areas of agriculture, water resources, coastal zone management, health, physical planning or disaster risk reduction.

Economics, Education, News

GOVERNMENT OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS WORKS ASSIDUOUSLY TO TACKLE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Published 19 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 19, 2017 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has positioned itself to address some environmental challenges, in particular, global warming, in an effort to improve informed decisions on issues like climate change, said Alistair Edwards, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Environment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the National Training Workshop in the Use of Climate Models for Decision Making on Wednesday, April 19, the permanent secretary said that climate change affects everyone, therefore, the Department of Environment “will continue to undertake various adaptation and mitigation actions to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis builds its resilience to reduce the impacts on climate change.”

Mr. Edwards said that St. Kitts and Nevis is very vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change, as it can be seen in a number of sectors across the federation.

“Sectors such as tourism, agriculture, water, and health and by extension the entire nation, have already been impacted in one way or another by these adverse factors. In response to the current projects it impacts, it is important that St. Kitts and Nevis undertake various initiatives that will reduce risk and the risk of our natural assets from climate change,” said the permanent secretary, while adding that St. Kitts and Nevis recognizes that climate change impacts the sustainability of not only the federation, but also the region.

“For a country like St. Kitts and Nevis, our critical infrastructure lies on coastal zones. Therefore, it is immensely important that measures and actions are put in place to protect our beaches and coastlines. We must implement measures that ensure food security, public health, the availability of fresh and potable water are not impacted,” he said.

PS Edwards made specific mention of the national training workshop, noting that the Department of Environment sees it as an ideal opportunity to build work that has already started. He explained that adaptation is critically important to St. Kitts and Nevis, and as such, it should be made a priority.

“We need to identify and implement adaptation measures in a collaborative manner. We need to ensure that the decision makers have access to the most effective tools and methods that can help them integrate climate change into planning and investment processes,” said Mr. Edwards. “The approach of tackling adverse impacts of climate change requires the support of all us. Our planet is dependent on it and our very existence is depending on it.”

Education, Local news, News

St. Kitts and Nevis Human Rights report lists rapes, government corruption and poor prison conditions

Published 17 April 2017

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 16^th 2017 – Government corruption, discrimination and violence against women and girls, poor prison conditions, child abuse and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBT) community were among the most serious human rights problems in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2016, according to the United States Department of State Human Rights Report for 2017.

The Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 sent to the United States Congress, by Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson refers to police shootings that occurred during 2015.

“On June 23, a police officer shot another police officer while involved in a scuffle with a suspect. The wounded police officer later died of sepsis. The commissioner of police stated that an inquest into the shooting was being conducted. On June 27, an off-duty police officer involved in an altercation shot two bystanders outside a bar, both of whom survived. As of September the commissioner reported the case was with the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office,” said the report.

It also noted that following a police inquest, authorities exonerated the off-duty officer involved in the October 2015 shooting of a 17-year-old at a bar in Nevis. The police charged a second police officer for an unrelated September 2015 non-fatal shooting incident also in Nevis. That case was due before the high court in November.

The U.S. State Department said there were no reports of politically motivated disappearances, torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

It said the St. Kitts prison remained overcrowded and facilities austere, although the number of inmates decreased from previous years.

“The prison in St. Kitts had an intended capacity of 160 prisoners but held 186 as of September. The majority of prisoners had beds, although some slept on blankets on the floor. In St. Kitts, authorities occasionally held pre-trial detainees together with convicted prisoners. There were two female inmates in prison in St. Kitts. Authorities held female inmates in separate quarters. There were no female prisoners in Nevis,” said the Report.

On the issue of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association, the Report said that opposition parties and the media, reported incidents in which the exercise of these rights was restricted and that the “media climate was sensitive, due in part to the country’s small size.”

The United States noted while the law provides for the granting of asylum and refugee status, the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees and one request for asylum during the year, which the government considered, was denied.

It noted too that Parliament passed Integrity in Public Life legislation in 2013, but it had been not implemented as of November 2015.

“The media and many private citizens reported that government corruption was a problem,” said the Report, which also noted that the Financial Intelligence Unit investigates reports on suspicious financial transactions, along with the police white-collar crime unit, but these reports were not available to the public.

According to the Human Rights Report anecdotal evidence suggested that rape – including spousal rape – was a serious and pervasive problem in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Despite the re-establishment of a Special Victims Unit in the police force, rape often was underreported due to survivors’ fear of stigma, retribution, further violence, or lack of confidence in the authorities. Violence against women continued to be a serious and pervasive problem,” said the Report.

“The Department of Gender Affairs reported many victims were hesitant to take action against their abuser, such as obtaining a restraining order, because of their economic dependence upon the abuser. Local NGOs also reported that most victims of domestic violence did not report the abuse or charge the offender. Victims reported either to the Department of Gender Affairs or the police, but there was no crisis hotline,” said the Report.

Business, Education, Local news, News

EMPLOYERS MUST COMPLY WITH LAW FOR WORK PERFORMED ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, SAYS LABOUR DEPARTMENT

http://sknis.kn/employers-must-comply-with-law-for-work-performed-on-national-holidays-says-labour-department/ #

Published 13 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2017 (SKNIS): Officials at the Department of Labour have issued a reminder to all employers and employees stating that any work that was undertaken on Monday, April 10, after 12 p.m. and up to 11:59 p.m. is to be paid at double the normal rate.

This was due to Monday being declared a public half holiday to commemorate the passing of former Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian. As outlined in the Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 35 of 2008, The Labour (Minimum Wage) (National Minimum Wage) Order 2008, the overtime rate to be paid to a worker for a public holiday, is double the rate in respect of the hours worked.

Acting Commissioner of Labour, Shernel James, stated that the Department of Labour has received complaints from some employees that their employers/management are refusing to comply with the laws of the land. She said that any employee, who is paid by the hour or by the day, must be paid two times the regular amount for any work performed during the 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. period.

For example, if Sarah, who earns minimum wage of $9 per hour, was asked to work from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, then her pay for the four hours during the period would be $72 instead of the regular pay of $36. Similarly, if John earns a wage calculated at $13 per hour, and worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. then he would be paid at the regular rate for the first three hours, which is $39. The remaining five hours would be calculated at $26 per hour, which add up to $130.

The same applies to the half holiday observed on March 23, 2017, observed for the passing of former Governor of the Associated States of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, His Excellency Sir Probyn Inniss. Additionally, any hours worked during Good Friday (April 14) and Easter Monday (April 17) will attract double pay as they are public holidays.

Acting Labour Commissioner James strongly urged employers and their representatives to comply with the law in ensuring that workers, who would have performed duties during the period outlined, be appropriately and fairly remunerated. Additional information is available by visiting the Department of Labour on Church Street or by telephone 762-1029 or 662-2075.

Education, Health

Dr. Terrance Drew named a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine

http://sknpulse.com/dr-drew-named-diplomate/ #

Published 10 April 2017

Photo Caption: Local Medical Practitioner, Dr. Terrance Drew

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Local medical practitioner, Dr Terrance Drew has been named a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Drew, who hails from St. Peter’s, St. Kitts, completed his medical school studies at the University of Villa Clara Cuba , from 1998- 2005 where he graduated with first class honours.

After successfully completing his studies in Cuba, Dr. Drew journeyed to Jamaica where he took up the position of medical intern, but after careful consideration, he gave up this position and returned to St. Kitts, to work in the Ministry of Health as a general practitioner. He worked in many areas with doctors in several specialists fields who served as mentors and guides in his new career.

At the J. N. France General Hospital, he worked on the Medical Ward with Dr. Bichara Saheley, on the Surgical Ward with Dr. Desmond Fosbery, Paediatrics with Dr. Ian Jacobs and A & E with Dr. Retna Walwyn, who all contributed to his success in some way.

Later, Dr. Drew moved on to private practice where Dr. Desmond Fosbery was very instrumental as he turned over his office to Dr. Drew and to whom Dr. Drew has said he would always be grateful.

Dr. Drew worked for a full five years completing the years of his bond and looked towards a new chapter in his career, that of becoming a specialist in medicine.

His decision to go to the United States was met with much opposition as he was told that because he studied in Cuba that it would be very difficult.

Not daunted by this challenge, Dr. Drew studied for his USMLE (United States Medical License Exam) and passed, ranking among the exams top performers. In 2010, Dr. Drew received a residency position in internal medicine in Texas and although the process was long, challenging and expensive, journeyed to US State and began his studies. Three years later he fully completed his studies and despite the many lucrative contracts offered to him he decided to return home to contribute once again to his country.

Dr. Drew is a fully trained internist and was eligible to be licensed in any state of the USA, despite false statements that he had not completed his studies.

The latest good news is that he is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Asked about his future plans with such a prestigious achievement, Dr. Drew said: “My goal is to work to ensure that the health system in St. Kitts and Nevis meets the needs of our people and rank among the best in the Caribbean.”

He pointed out that the present system is in shambles and needs capable leadership at the highest level.

St. Kitts and Nevis takes this opportunity to congratulate our very own Dr. Terrance Drew, Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.