SINT MAARTEN/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - The Dominican Republic is rapidly becoming a preferred destination for medical tourism, thanks to its world-class facilities and exceptional patient care. At the heart of this transformation is Médico Express, a state-of-the-art outpatient center in Santo Domingo Este, which combines advanced diagnostic imaging, outpatient surgery, and personalized care to offer an unparalleled healthcare experience. 

By integrating cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and a strong focus on patient well-being, Médico Express is setting new standards in the region. A Healing Environment with Sustainability at Its Core.

Médico Express prioritizes not only health but also the environment. Its 8,715 m² facility is designed with sustainability and patient comfort in mind, incorporating natural light, green spaces, and eco-friendly materials that create a calming, healing atmosphere. 

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic, the design integrates neuro-architecture to support mental and physical recovery, ensuring that every detail—from the spacious consultation rooms to the relaxing waiting areas—contributes to an exceptional patient experience. 

World-Class Technology for Accurate and Timely Care 

Médico Express stands out for its use of state-of-the-art medical technology, providing patients with fast, accurate diagnoses and minimally invasive treatments. Key highlights include: 

GE Signa Prime 1.5 Tesla MRI: High-precision imaging with reduced scan times for optimal patient comfort.

GE Revolution 128-Slice CT Scanner: AI-enhanced imaging for better results with lower radiation exposure.

3D Tomosynthesis Mammography: Advanced imaging for early and precise breast cancer detection.

Voluson S8 Ultrasound: AI-powered maternal-fetal imaging for unmatched clarity and safety. 

Specialized units, such as the Endoscopy Suite, offer advanced procedures for gastrointestinal diagnostics, while departments like Ophthalmology and Dentistry deliver expert care using cutting-edge techniques and equipment. 

A fully integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system ensures seamless coordination of care, with access to medical histories, imaging results, laboratory reports, electronic prescriptions, and telemedicine services—all enhancing continuity of care for both local and international patients.

Dr. Alejandro Cambiazo

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – It’s a new year – 2025 - and many set out their goals which also includes achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

In order to achieve this, you have to eat healthy, get a good sleep every night, reduce daily stress, and step up your daily physical activity.

Every year Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), as part of its annual calendar of observances, highlights and creates awareness about health matters.

In its annual calendar for the month of January, CPS profiles healthy weight and nutrition.

Healthy eating has to do with eating healthy food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.

Physical activity could be a leisure walk for 60-90 minutes daily, but it all depends on your intended goal. Do you want to lose weight or maintain your current weight? You can do brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week: or 75-minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week such as swimming laps.

Make sure to include seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans/peas, soy products, nuts, and seeds. Your new way of eating for 2025 should be low in added sugars, salt, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean that you have to give up those comfort foods, on the contrary. You can still enjoy your favorite foods but eat them less often (once a week); eat smaller amounts; and try a lower-calorie version.

Physical activity is always good for anyone’s lifestyle. A person who suffers from obesity will have serious consequences eventually where it concerns diseases and other health challenges.

Make sure you have regular physical activity as it will have immediate and long-term health benefits. It improves brain health, reduces the risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and further improves your ability to do everyday activities.

Other examples of physical activity are light yard work, actively playing with children, biking, jogging, running, and most competitive sports.

Contact your family physician or CPS at 914 for more information on maintaining a healthy weight and the nutritional benefits for 2025.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Library, in collaboration with Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Sint Maarten Early Childhood Development Association (SECDA), is delighted to host a special beginning-of-the-year event featuring acclaimed author and illustrator Mylo Freeman.

Mylo Freeman, of Dutch-American descent, grew up in The Hague and studied illustration at the prestigious Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. She has authored approximately 70 picture books, including the beloved Princess Arabella series.

As a precursor, the Hello Baby presentation launches a series of engaging events aiming to promote a lifelong culture of reading:

• Freeman’s latest bilingual children’s book, Hello, Baby!, will be featured on January 11^th, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This heartwarming book, which nurtures a love of learning from an early age, is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the Dutch Foundation for Literature and valued partners in the Caribbean region.
  • Parents of children aged 0–3 years are warmly invited to attend the book presentation of Hello, Baby!. The session will also include a workshop led by Reading Recovery and Remedial Educator Patricia Illidge-Maier, focusing on the importance of reading to babies and toddlers to foster early childhood educational development.
• Barbie Workshop for children aged 4–7 years: Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Maximum 25 participants. Participants are encouraged to bring their own Barbie dolls.)
• Writers’ Workshop for aspiring writers of all ages: Monday, January 20, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Maximum 25 participants.)
• Illustrator Workshop for youth and adults interested in illustration: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Princess Arabella Workshop for children aged 7–10 years: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

All the events will take place at the Sint Maarten Government Building. You can register via the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/GxCGngiezr to participate at these events.

In addition, four local daycares—Alexander’s Early Stimulation, Curious Minds Daycare, Educare Foundation, and Busy Body Daycare—have been selected to receive special story-time sessions with Mylo Freeman from Monday, January 20 to Wednesday, January 22, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

The Sint Maarten Library will also host a virtual story reading with Mylo Freeman on Saturday, January 25, 2025. The event will be streamed on all of the Library’s social media platforms.

Membership Drive: Free Library Cards for Babies and Toddlers
As part of its ongoing membership drive, the Library invites parents to sign up their babies and toddlers and receive a library card and an age-appropriate book kit. Parents can visit the circulation desk to take their child’s photo for the card.

The Sint Maarten Library wishes you a prosperous New Year! Join us in making 2025 a year of reading and adventure!

For more information about these events, please contact the Sint Maarten Library at +1 721-542-2970.

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), in collaboration with key partners IGY Marinas, Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, Palapa Marina, Skyport Marina, Port St. Maarten Group and the Simpson Bay Fireworks Association, is again hosting a firework show in the Simpson Bay Lagoon this Thursday, January 9, at 10 PM.

This event is a celebration of the hardworking individuals in the Hospitality and Marine sectors, offering them a chance to welcome the New Year in style.

Jesse Peterson, President of the SMMTA, shared: “While the island rang in the New Year on December 31, many people working in the Marine and Hospitality Industry were busy ensuring others had a memorable celebration.

This includes mega yacht crews and those working in restaurants and bars, who often don’t get to celebrate during the holidays. The Crew Year’s Eve firework show allows us to thank them for their contributions to the season and to express our appreciation to the mega yachts and crew for choosing St. Maarten.”

The firework display will light up the Simpson Bay Lagoon, providing an excellent opportunity for local businesses to attract customers and join the festivities.

Crew parties and special events will be hosted across various venues, including Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, Yacht Club Isle del Sol and Palapa Marina.

Peterson emphasized the long-term vision for this celebration, stating: “Our goal is to establish this as an annual tradition, with this being the third edition of Crew Year’s Eve. We appreciate the financial support from local businesses and their anticipation of this established event. We encourage everyone to spread the word and create an unforgettable experience for all.”

A big thank you goes out to the following establishments supporting the fireworks this Thursday: Yacht Club Isle Del Sol, Simpson Bay Marina, Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, Palapa Marina, FKG Rigging & Fabrication, Budget Marine, Skyport Marina, Bluwater Construction, Island Water World and Port St. Maarten Group.

Organizations still interested in supporting the SMMTA’s efforts to enhance the firework show can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to contribute.