SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, supports the call of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for early screening for detection and management of diabetes and hypertension as an important part of preventing kidney disease.

CPS would like to commend the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for their public awareness campaign about kidney disease.

According to CARPHA, in 2019 kidney diseases were the fifth leading cause of death in the Non-Latin Caribbean region, adding that the three leading risk factors for kidney disease globally are being overweight/obese, hypertension and diabetes.

Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director, CARPHA, stated that kidney diseases have remained a significant concern for the Region and shared some alarming data on the impact of this chronic health challenge.

“When reviewing 2019 data for countries in the region of the Americas, with the highest death rate due to kidney disease, two CARPHA Member States ranked in the top 10 of this list and nine Member States ranked in the top 20”.

Coupled to the high regional prevalence of the three main risk factors for kidney diseases, that is, overweight/obesity (53.2 %), hypertension (23%) and diabetes (11.9%), it signals an urgent need for focused and effective interventions to reduce this burden in the Caribbean.”

Detecting kidney disease early is essential for preventing complications and improving quality of life in the Region.

Tests that can be helpful in early detection include monitoring blood pressure, BMI (as a marker of weight), HbA1c (as a marker of blood glucose control) and other specific blood and urine tests that assess kidney function.

Based on national surveys that have been conducted over the past several years, CPS has observed the growing trend with diabetes in the country.

CPS points out that the Diabetes Foundation St. Maarten (DFS) carries out free public information/testing sessions outside the various supermarkets.

CPS continues to partner annually with the DFS to educate and promote the community about the importance of their numbers- namely, glucose, blood pressure and BMI (Body, Mass, Index).

CPS calls on residents to make use of these DFS sessions besides checking with their family physician for potential risk factors.

CARPHA launched the Diabetes Guidelines and the Nutritional Management Toolkit for the Caribbean in the fight against diabetes, as well as a Regional Framework for the Reduction of Sodium in Caribbean populations (CESA), to target the high prevalence of hypertension.

Initiatives such as the Caribbean Moves Framework also seek to tackle these and other risk factors such as obesity/overweight.

CPS calls on residents to check out the following link: https://www.carpha.org/What-We-Do/NCD/Integrated-Disease-Management/Diabetes-Nutritional-Management-Toolkit where you will find clinical guidelines presented in five+ modules.

As part of the department’s research agenda, CPS participated in a research study with Aruba to better understand the food preparation practices locally and advocated for salt reduction. The department led a health campaign “less salt, more health” which focused on alternatives to salt.

CPS continues to profile and provide awareness throughout the year via its Health Observances Calendar (HOC) the aforementioned public health issues which complements CARPHAs programs and toolkit.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is pleased to announce the successful completion of specialized training for the "Officier van Dienst Recherche" (OVD-R) position. The comprehensive training program was conducted at the police headquarters in Philipsburg under the guidance of instructors from the Netherlands Police Academy.

Several senior detectives from KPSM participated in this professional development opportunity, enhancing their investigative leadership capabilities critical to maintaining public safety and effectively managing criminal investigations on Sint Maarten. Throughout the week, additional detectives were also given insight into the exact responsibilities of the OVD-R, broadening their understanding of the role.

The training included participation from detectives representing all Dutch Caribbean islands, fostering stronger regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing among law enforcement agencies.

The OVD-R (Duty Officer for Investigations) plays a vital role within the police organization by coordinating criminal investigations and ensuring the quality of investigative procedures. Their responsibilities include:

• Leading investigative responses to serious crimes such as homicide, drug-related offenses, and organized crime.

• Assessing whether cases should be transferred from basic police teams to specialized investigative departments.

• Coordinating forensic investigations and securing evidence at crime scenes.

• Making decisions regarding suspect arrests and search operations.

• Maintaining communication with the Public Prosecution Service regarding investigation progress.

This role works in close collaboration with the OVD-P (Duty Officer for Police), who focuses on immediate policing and law enforcement. While the OVD-P manages tactical police deployment and

initial incident response, the OVD-R ensures proper investigation procedures are followed and evidence is properly secured.

"This training represents our commitment to professional development and enhancing our investigative capabilities," said [QUOTE FROM POLICE SPOKESPERSON/CHIEF]. "By strengthening the skills of our officers in the OVD-R role, we improve our ability to conduct thorough investigations and better serve the Sint Maarten community."

The specialized training is part of KPSM's ongoing efforts to develop local expertise and strengthen cooperation with regional and international law enforcement partners.

KPSM extends its sincere gratitude to the instructors from the Netherlands Police Academy, namely, C. van ES, E. VAHRMEIJER, R. BRANS-BRABAND., P. TROOSTER for their invaluable contribution. Their expertise and dedication have played a crucial role in upgrading the skills of KPSM personnel not only in Sint Maarten but across various Caribbean police forces.

SINT MAARTEN (SOUTH REWARD) - The Sint Maarten Harmony project, an innovative initiative focused on exploring the complexities of human sensitivity through Argentinian tango, has successfully concluded its activities at St. Dominic High School. This interdisciplinary project, supported by Creative Culture Europe and the Goethe Institute, aimed to integrate tango as a tool for physical, emotional, and social wellbeing among students in Forms 2, 3 and 4.

Project Overview

Sint Maarten Harmony, which ran from February 2 to March 9, 2025, was an international collaboration and cultural exchange of educators from Helsingborg, Sweden, and St. Maarten’s St. Dominic High School.

A series of tango workshops led by guest teacher Tatsiana Bauder from Sweden were designed to improve physical skills, balance, and proprioceptive capacity, while fostering a deeper connection with emotions and the body. The Sint Maarten Harmony project also promoted Argentine tango as an international socializing tool, encouraging cultural inclusion and community building.

Student Engagement: Weekly sessions were conducted for students of Form 2, 3 and 4 at St. Dominic High School. Guest teacher Tatsiana used the Argentine tango to enhance students’ physical skills. The collaborative movement of learning the tango simultaneously contributes to well-being through the social activity of dancing while also focusing on healthy lifestyles and emotional connections. These sessions included discussions on respect, personal integrity, and equality, promoting a culture of care and mutual respect.

Emotional Wellbeing: The project contributed to students' mental wellbeing by encouraging a deeper connection with their emotions and bodies. Dancing allowed for a personal process of emotional expression and connection with others.

Cultural Integration and Socialization: By teaching Argentine tango, the project promoted international socialization and cultural inclusion among students. This helped foster a sense of community and respect for diverse cultural practices with which the students were unfamiliar.

Teacher Development: Several teachers participated in activities with the students to learn the pedagogical framework of movement as a tool for non-formal learning and psychological comfort management.

Overall, The Sint Maarten Harmony Tango Project at St. Dominic High School successfully integrated dance as a tool for holistic development, fostering both personal growth and community cohesion.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) and Leader of the United People's Party (UPP), Honorable Omar E.C. Ottley, has voiced concerns about an increasing disconnect among the governing coalition members, preventing them from bringing forward the Governing program.  

Despite promises made by the Mercelina II Cabinet to complete the Governing Program within three months of taking office—originally setting a deadline for the week of February 28th—the deadline was extended to last week. However, to date, MPs nor the public has yet to receive any clear direction from the government.

"The governing program serves as the strategic blueprint for the Coalition, outlining key policies, development plans, and priority projects. The prolonged delay raises questions about whether internal disagreements hinder its completion."

One of the most contentious issues within the Coalition is the regulation of lotteries and casinos. According to MP Ottley, some coalition members have openly advocated shutting down gambling establishments altogether, while others have issued new licenses. This stark contrast in policy approaches has caused unease within the Coalition, particularly regarding how these licenses were granted and the apparent increase in casinos, which has displeased certain coalition partners.

Another significant point of contention is the debate over implementing a national healthcare program. MP Ottley notes that members of the Coalition have taken fundamentally opposite stances on this issue. While some strongly support establishing a national healthcare system, others vehemently oppose it. This lack of consensus on such a critical matter raises concerns about whether the government can effectively execute long-term healthcare policies that benefit the people of St. Maarten.

MP Ottley underscores that the continued postponement of the governing program raises an essential question: "Does this delay indicate deeper fractures within the Coalition that prevent a unified vision for St. Maarten's future?"

MP Ottley urges the government to address these internal differences and ensure that the governing program is presented to Parliament without further delay. He remains committed to holding the government accountable and ensuring that the people of St. Maarten receive clear and decisive leadership.