Saint Lucia No. 64. Saturday, November 13, 2004

A publication of the Department of Information Services ST. LUCIA

St. Lucia is now an elite tourism destination - page 1 RECEIVES

CARICOM forging ahead with ACADEMY 2005 deadline - page 3 AWARD PITONS NOW WORLD 700 HUNDRED MORE HOSTING CWC 2007: AMERICAN AIRLINES HERITAGE SITE ROOMS COMING FROM LATEST PRESS BACK IN ST. LUCIA COCO CREOLE, CONFERENCE HELD DISCOVERY BAY AND WEDNESDAY BY Remembering War Venterans COCONUT BAY HEAD OF CWC 2007 page 4 & 5

s the only Caribbean re- nation have been recognized with the tion in tourism is getting stronger ev- cipient of the Five Star American Academy’s International eryday, and some might say tougher Diamond Award from Five Star Diamond Award. And tonight and tougher. The pressure to create the American Acad- we honour the island of St .Lucia for new jobs and the pressure to grow Aemy of Hospitality Sciences, Saint excellence in tourism, the first island the industry must be balanced with Chinese delegation meets Lucia’s tourism industry has been in the Caribbean to hold that type of the value, quality and sustainability. Governor-General - page 4 & 5 elevated to an elite grouping of the honour, and American Airlines, as well Receiving this award tonight encour- finest, tourism destinations. for their new air service to the island of ages me to believe that we are on the United States Journalist, Jeremy ”, Mr. Bits informed. right path, this is not to say that we have completed our journey, but that Bits, who spoke on behalf of the Mr. Joseph Cinque, President of the we have reached an important mile- American Academy of Hospitality American Academy presented the Five stone”, the Prime Minister said. Sciences, said the award set those Star Diamond Award to Prime Minister, Dr. Anthony surmised that with the destinations apart, for their overall Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony on the week- recent designation of the Pitons as a end, during a special function at the excellence and outstanding commit- World Heritage Site, the island’s host- Royal St. Lucian Hotel. Dr. Anthony ment to hospitality. ing of World Cup matches in 2007 and “Places like the world famous noted that St.Lucia was well aware of now the Islands latest award, along Ritz in Paris, the Peninsular in Hong the fierce global rivalry that went on in with the expectation that the island’s Kong, the Oriental in Bangkok, the international tourism business, and hotel occupancy will be increased by the Mars logo Club in Palm Beach as a result the industry and its work- 750 rooms within the next six months, force, refused to bask in complacency. Rodents can be controlled Florida, Seaborne Cruise Lines, all 2004 has been a good year for tourism - page 6 of these hospitality and tourist desti- “We know that the global competi- in Saint Lucia. “Take 2 ” - A fifteen minute news review of the week. Government Notebook A fresh news package daily Every Friday at 6.15 p.m. on NTN, Cablevision Channel 2. on all local radio stations 2 Saint Lucia Saturday, November 13, 2004 ous levels of dissatisfaction in the nurs- ing services, the role that they should play in the governance of management Report on Health Study of the system, all that is dealt with and there are specifi c recommendations”, Sir Richie assured. As the government of St. Lucia con- presented to Government tinues to invest heavily in the physical he Health Study Report is now in professionals, offi cials in the Ministry individuals in the system function, how infrastructure of the health services, the hands of Cabinet. Hon. Ma- of Health and related ministries. to change the culture in some instances human resource compatibility has T become key, according to Minister rio Michel, Minister for Education The Health Study Report makes rec- quite acutely”, remarked Sir Richie. and Deputy Prime Minister received ommendations on programs of action The Report further makes recom- Michel: “We are confi dent that your the report on behalf of Prime Min- over the next few years that are expect- mendations to address the defects in the report, ably assisted by others - Mrs. ister, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony. The ed to evolve into major changes in the legislative structure governing health Jennifer Astafan, Dr. Barbara Johnson study was conducted by the Health culture, physical structure and delivery services. It also highlights the concerns and Mr. Cletus Springer - will provide Study Commission established by of health care in St. Lucia. of doctors and nurses. the sort of recommendation, the sort of Cabinet to conduct investigations “When you look at the overall situ- “You have a solid core of qualifi ed framework that we require to end this into St. Lucia’s medical system. ation in St. Lucia, we concur with pre- consultants at the level of doctors, gulf that has existed, and which enables Chairman of the Commission Sir vious studies that you have a good in- you have a solid core of well educated us to work hand in hand with the hu- Richie Haynes said that the Health frastructure, in terms of your primary nurses, and we have been very, very man resource situation, together with Study was an extremely exhaustive health care, in terms of the relation- impressed with the presentations that the improvement in the health sector, one, which required the collaboration ships, and so on. The question is how the nurses made. I think that the big is- to ensure that we can take the health of public health institutions, health to make it function and how to make sues like migration of nurses, the vari- system forward”. Finance facility established to help fi rms become CSME-ready he 10th Special Meeting of the a spur south to St. Lucia, and would one year for the hundreds who are now initiative his country could not back- TConference of Heads of Govern- move further north to Guadeloupe, with displaced. slide from, having experienced fi rst ment of the another spur to Dominica. There is the Mr. Mitchel said the lessons of Gre- hand, their vulnerability and by ex- is billed as the test for the completion potential for an additional spur from nada have made regional integration a tension, the vulnerability of the entire of the CARICOM Single Market and Guadeloupe to Antigua and St. Kitts. religion for Grenada. He said it was an region. Economy (CSME). A process, which He noted that the extension of gas sup- started 31 years ago, is all tied into plies to the region would “bring every one year, with the December 31st island to the service within the ambit 2005 deadline fast approaching. we hold for Tobago, and for Trinidad Addressing the opening ceremony and Tobago.” this morning was host Prime Minister, Grenada’s Prime Minister and Chair- Patrick Manning. Mr. Manning spoke man of CARICOM, Dr Keith Mitchel of ’s commitment gave an impassioned speech thanking to the fi nancing of the programme of his colleague Heads of Government for the CSME. He spoke of a facility, their continued support for Grenada in which allows companies in the region the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. He to borrow from the domestic market spoke of the continuing needs of Gre- on terms and conditions favorable to nada, and called on colleagues to pro- them. vide scholarships for the hundreds of Speaking of a CARICOM Trade Sup- Grenadian youths, who are now facing port Programme, which was launched a bleak future following Ivan. He called in this month, Mr. Manning for persons in the tourism industry in said it sought to support and strengthen the region to reach out to Grenadians in the region’s private sector, by provid- the industry, to provide jobs for at least Patrick Manning Dr Keith Mitchel ing assistance to fi rms, so as to enable them to improve their competitiveness and export capability: “This is part of Governor-General wants greater recognition for war veterans our strategy to make businesses in our s the world again observes Veter- sion, patience, humility, integrity and the that their death may not be in vain. region CSME-ready on a timely ba- Aans’ Week and Remembrance Day, capacity to listen. “Many of those who took part in the sis”. The facility of TT$100 million the St. Lucian society has been called “On both the personal and national level, confl icts or who assured the welfare of contemplates interest free loans to non- upon to refl ect on what can best be de- we can take on our own acts of bridge-build- their comrades on and off the battlefi eld Trinidad and Tobago companies. scribed as the challenge of peace in mod- ing to bring our communities, our world are still with us today. We honour their ef- ern times. fort and their service. Let the tribute that Pointing to challenges in respect of closer together. The voices of the victims In her message on this particular occa- of the confl icts may be silent or silenced we pay them today, go beyond lip service; the energy supplies, which Trinidad sion, Governor-General, Her Excellency forever, but we can get their histories from let it touch their lives in a practical way, as and Tobago is presently exploring to Dame has endeavoured to those who witnessed and survived, and use they too remember their fallen comrades put together a comprehensive policy shift attention from society’s role as specta- their experiences, their perceptions, to start and refl ect on their own contribution, on regional energy supplies to support tors in this global environment of sectarian building those bridges”, the Governor- however small or unsung, to the fragile CARICOM member states, Mr. Man- violence, acts of terrorism and genocide, to General said. peace we now enjoy”, Governor-General ning said, “Trinidad and Tobago estab- one of being a vanguard for peace. Dame Pearlette made an appeal for Dame Pearlette Louisy said lished, effective1st July 2004, a grant According to Dame Pearlette, maintain- greater acknowledgement to be given to Veterans Week and Remembrance facility capitalized at a maximum of ing peace at both the personal and political the millions, who have died in pursuit of Day is observed annually in the month of level calls for among other things, compas- TT$25 million per month. By the end peace, as well those who are still alive, so November. of October last, just a few days ago, TT$100 million would have already PM calls for renewed interest in Remembrance Day accrued. Over one year, which is the he public is being called upon to re- of November every year is called Remem- of remembrance. The proceeds go to the period for which this facility will op- Tnew interest in the contribution that brance Day, or why the red poppy goes Ex-Services League to assist its mem- erate in the fi rst instance, with the op- local British ex-service men and women on sale at this time every year, or why the bers. By wearing a poppy during this tion for its renewal thereafter, this fa- made in World War One and Two, and veterans gather on the white structure on period, we are demonstrating our appre- cility will realize and accumulation of particularly, to show a sense of human- the Square called the Cenotaph, on which ciation for those who died and for those TT$300 million”. ity towards them. several names are described,” said Dr. An- who survived. By contributing to the Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony thony. Ex-Services League, we are helping des- The Trinidad and Tobago govern- made the call during his weekly radio ad- Dr. Anthony expressed concern that this perate old soldiers like the one who Mrs. ment is also looking at developing a dress - Conversations with the Nation. He lack of knowledge may be at the root of Pilgrim graphically described as living in network of pipelines to supply oil to lamented that the historical signifi cance dwindling public interest in the welfare of a basket.” its regional neigbours. Mr. Manning of Remembrance Day appeared to be un- ex-servicemen and women, as well as the The Prime Minister made a plea for informed that the feasibility studies for known to younger generations of Saint Lu- steady reduction in Poppy sales noted over all St. Lucians to turn out at the Remem- the distribution of natural gas to the re- cians, although the annual observance this the years. brance Day parades this coming Sunday year marked its 60th Anniversary. gion through a pipeline, indicated that The trend of lower poppy sales has hit and talk to the old soldiers, join them, and “Some must wonder why, every year the veterans very hard, particularly since pay tribute to those who did not survive. this effort would require, not one, but The Remembrance Day ceremony will two major lines across the region. One around this time, war veterans display their the proceeds were used to provide many medals and participate in the commemora- of them with small incomes, Dr. Anthony take place on Sunday November 14th, line he said, would extend from Tobago tive parades, or why this particular month said: “So buying a poppy is not just an act 2004. to Barbados and unto Martinique, with Saturday, November 13, 2004 Saint Lucia 3 lands function in the same economic space, an extraordinary effort has to be made to lift up those on the lower rung CARICOM to forge ahead of the development ladder. Therefore, from the very outset of integration, one of the ancilliary aspects, what we may call the policy infrastructure has with the 2005 deadline been determined to bring a regional development fund into existence... we Monday night that he believed the have been working with the CDB on Heads of Government had achieved a how this fund will be structured and lot. He said, “I do not want to over- be made to come into existence to the state the accomplishments, but we benefit of the region.” have achieved much when all 15 terri- tories, including Montserrat, a country The expectation is for all arrange- of its circumstances announced it will ments for the Regional Development be ready for the CSME by 2005.” Fund to be accomplished by the time all member countries are at the stage A major outcome on Monday was an agreement to move beyond the five of final implementation of the Single categories of workers to encourage Market. greater mobility of people within the Mr. Arthur said the 10th Special region. The Prime Minister of Domi- Conference had an ambitious agenda, nica, Honourable has and at the end of the first day was sat- been given a mandate to draw up the isfied that 15 separate economies had necessary instruments for the consid- not relaxed the timetable to fusing one Prime Ministers Patrick Manning, Keith Mitchel and Owen Arthur flanked eration of Heads of Government when single economy. by CARICOM officials at the recent 10th Special Meeting they meet in February of 2005. He said the region was doing what Heads also agreed to set up the Re- only Europe had done, and was doing he 10th Special Meeting of the All 15 member states of CARICOM TConference of Heads of Govern- have pledged to remove all remaining gional Development Fund under article so as sovereign entitled, unlike Europe. ment of the Caribbean Community restrictions to become CSME compli- 158 of the revised Treaty of Chaguara- He said since the process began, over ended its first day with a decision on ant. Prime Minister of Barbados and mas. This is an area of tremendous in- 400 pieces of legislation have been re- a top agenda issue - to keep the 2005 CARICOM’s lead minister on the Sin- terest to countries like St. Lucia. The moved between the 15 member coun- deadline for the implementation of gle Market and Economy, Honourable Barbados Prime Minister said, “If tries to put the Caribbean on the road to the CARICOM Single Market. Owen Arthur said at a press conference you’re gonna have the Caribbean is- the 2005 goal for a Single Market “Our five core business practices process. identified under this project are Ac- “With the voucher system, what you New Payables and counting, Funds Management, HR, had at first was this manual system, Payroll, and Procurement. It also in- whereby you had both the procurement volves reviewing our legal framework. and the LPO (Local Purchase Order) Purchasing System coming There will also be a review of our or- joined with the invoice. ganisation and revised job descriptions Customers constantly complain that he Ministry of Finance is re-en- The project, which will specifically to go along with those streamlined pro- Treasury is taking way too long in the Tgineering the business processes introduce a new Payables and Purchas- cedures”. Mr. Degazon explained. processing of vouchers, when in fact, of the Government of Saint Lucia. ing System for the government, is be- sometimes the system was very in- The Ministry has been collaborat- Team Leader for Procurement, Tessa ing spearheaded by the Department of ing with the Eastern Caribbean Felicien said the Accountant Gener- volved”, Miss Felicien explained. Economic Management Programme the Accountant General. Accountant al’s Department now delivers a faster Currently all governments depart- (ECEMP) in executing the exercise General, Mr. Agosta Degazon said the service, particularly since the tedious ments are electronically connected dubbed “Strengthening Financial project had covered two critical phases Voucher System had been discontinued via the new financial system known as Management.” and was now into its third phase. and is being replaced by an automated Smartstream. Association to deepen relations with China formally launched he relationship between St. Lu- Ambassador of the People’s Repub- organisations, to facilitate culture and formed association to assist in its es- Tcia and China is set to expand lic of China to St. Lucia, His Excel- other exchanges that would reinforce tablishment. with the formal launching of the St. lency Gu Huamin was proud of the ini- the links of friendship between the two President of the Association and Lucia-China Friendship Association tiative to launch such an organisation, countries and facilitate, augment and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, which took place at the Conference and said it would reinforce friendship enhance non-governmental diplomacy Mr. Earl Bousquet used the occasion Room of the National Insurance between the two nations. between China and St. Lucia,” Ambas- to launch a publication entitled “Ten Corporation on Friday, November 5, “The major aim of the Association sador Gu said. Days Behind the Great Wall,” which is 2004. is to promote friendly and constructive At the end of his address Ambas- a compilation of articles he wrote while Vice President of the Association, relations with the People’s Republic sador Gu presented an initial cheque leading a team of 21 regional journal- Minister for Labour Relations, Public of China and their non governmental donation of EC$3,000.00 to the newly ists on a tour of China earlier this year. Service and Co-operatives, Hon. Velon John gave some background on the for- mation of the Association. “In our opinion”, Minister John said, “this is a milestone in our relationship with China, a relationship that began when this government, in its wisdom, and a sense of perspicacity, decided to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1997, and by so doing, recognising the his- torical fact that there is one China, and Taiwan is indeed an integral part of China. But diplomatic relations has its limitations and possibilities, and it was our awareness of that in some measure, that prompted us to establish a non-governmental nexus that will transcend these limitations, expand these possibilities and sublimate the relationship between the people of the two countries.” Vice President Hon. Velon John, addresses the audience whilst President Earl Bousquet looks on 4 Saint Lucia Saturday, November 13, 2004 Remembering our War Veterans PM in coversation with the Nation War. The story of the Red Poppy is in- teresting. Poppies are resilient. They only grow in uprooted soil. Their seeds can lie in the ground for years, only to sprout when that soil is disturbed or ploughed. Dr Mc Crae, who fought on the Western Front, was in a field of flowering poppies in Flanders when he wrote this poem, which has basically become one of the anthems of the vet- erans of both World Wars. Since then, the Poppy has been adopted as the symbol for Remembrance Day. Dwindling Interest… Unfortunately, as the memories of the World Wars fade so too has the sym- bolism of the poppy lost its appeal. Once upon a time children were en- couraged to go out and see the parades on Remembrance Day. Together with their parents, they gathered around the Square. Others followed the uniformed police, members of the Cadet Corps, visiting regiments from other coun- tries, unarmed contingents like the St. Lucia Fire Service, the St. Lucia Red Cross, the Boys Scout Association and the Ex-Services League, through the streets of Castries. Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony Today, however, the numbers are ello Again, St. Lucia, after a II get together on the Derek Walcott These red poppies symbolize the eter- dwindling and interest in Remem- reflective week of shared pain Square after attending mass on Re- nal strength of the spirit of those who brance Day seems to be waning. Poppy Habout the untimely death of membrance Day, they do so not only died during the wars. It has its origins sales are not like they used to be. As Jany and the unfortunate loss of the to meet and greet each other, but also in a poem called “In Flanders Field”, a result, the income from public dona- little ones of Lady Spice, we must to recall valour and sacrifice on the which was written by Dr John Mc Crae tions, on which our veterans depend, turn our attention to the challenges altar of death. They also get together in May 1915, during the First World has declined significantly. of daily living. to remember those who did not sur- It is that time of the year when, once vive, those who served with them and more, we have to participate in an ac- did not return. And they are not alone. tivity that is sixty years old, but whose As we also see each year at this time HIGH LEVEL CHINESE DELEGATION MEETS WITH significance is lost to our younger gen- on TV, throughout the world, on both eration. I speak of the activities on Re- sides of the Atlantic, similar activities GOVERNOR-GENERAL, DAME PEARLETTE LOUISY membrance Day, next Sunday, Novem- are held to remember those who fought ber 14, 2004. and died in the two World Wars. Some must wonder why, every year Humble and Committed Service around this time, war veterans display The veterans in St. Lucia belong to their medals and participate in the the British Ex-Services League. Every commemorative parades; or, why this year, they are brought together, largely particular day in the month of Novem- through the efforts of their humble and ber every year is called Remembrance committed Secretary, Mrs. Dorothy Day; or, why the Red Poppy goes on Pilgrim, who enlisted in the Auxiliary sale at this time every year; or, why the Services during World War II. veterans gather around that white struc- ture on the Square called the Cenotaph, Year after year, Mrs. Pilgrim and her on which several names and dates are fellow veterans work tirelessly to en- inscribed. courage the society to remember their efforts and their contributions to the For King and Country… cause of freedom. Every year they toil, The veterans of whom I speak par- unfazed by the fact that many others ticipated in the two World Wars of the turn their backs and even ridicule them. last century, a few in the First World Mrs. Pilgrim perseveres in the cause of War of 1914-1918 and others in the these men and women, though, with Second World War of 1939-45. They left these shores, served in different each passing year, it becomes harder countries and fought different battles, and harder. Her commitment, though but against a common enemy. weakened, endures. She deserves our Britain was at war, and as St. Lucia admiration, respect and most important was a British colony inhabited by Brit- of all, our SUPPORT. ish subjects, St. Lucia was also at war. The Red Poppy and “Flanders Our veterans made sacrifices in the Field” name of King and Country. Remembrance Day is celebrated in Remembering Those Who Didn’t the month of November for historical Return reasons. That is the month when red When these survivors of World War poppies go on sale at various locations. Saturday, November 13, 2004 Saint Lucia 5 Remembering our War Veterans PM in coversation with the Nation But Not All Are Forgotten… Just a few days ago I heard Mrs. Pil- grim appealing to the public, as usual, to remember the veterans. This year, she made a special case for one destitute old soldier who has become homeless and who, she said, “now lives in a bas- ket.” He is not alone. Many of the old veterans today feel forgotten, rejected and neglected. Many walk the streets in penury; and many die after a life in misery. We must remember them. I was quite pleased earlier this year when Mr. Martin Thompson, a member of the Royal British Legion who is res- ident in Germany, visited St. Lucia to join us in paying special tribute to four St. Lucian war veterans whose bodies never made it home. The location of their remains had been a mystery for quite some time. Mr. Thompson and the members of the local British Ex-Services League, led by Mrs. Pilgrim, organized a Me- morial Service for the four young men, aged between 19 and 34, whose names are inscribed on the Cenotaph on Derek Walcott Square. The four men honoured were: Flying Officer Hugh Terrence Etienne, a Royal Air Force volunteer who has no known grave, but in whose name a plaque exists at The Cenotaph at Derek Walcott Square a War Grave in Surrey; David Shingle- ton-Smith, also of the Royal Air Force died at age 34; and Denis Claude Des- from the wars, confirmed that both Wars were wars between Colonial and Reserve, who died at age 19 and is mond DuBoulay, a Pilot Officer and Flight Sergeant Dulieu and Pilot Offi- Imperial powers of the day. That may buried at the Cheltenham Cemetery in Air Gunner with the Royal Canadian cer DuBoulay are buried at the Com- have been so, but the undisputable the UK; Flight Sergeant Henry Eugene Air Force, who died at age 20. monwealth War Cemetery in Berlin in fact is that Hitler wanted to impose on Middleton Dulieu, a Flight Navigator Mr Thompson, who researches and Germany. His research has helped to the world a virulent theology of rac- with the Royal Air Force Reserve who traces the history of fallen soldiers solve several family puzzles and re- ism that threatened every Black man, store restless minds to peace. woman and child on every continent. “Sixty years of Tomorrows…” The Jews were the first; the Black race was next! HIGH LEVEL CHINESE DELEGATION MEETS WITH The veterans remind us that those who died “left without seeing tomor- Remembering the Forgotten! GOVERNOR-GENERAL, DAME PEARLETTE LOUISY row”; and that they did so “to give us So, buying a poppy is not just an 60 years of tomorrows.” The veterans act of remembrance. The proceeds go everywhere pledge, every year, that to the Ex-Services League to assist its those who never made it “will not be members. By wearing a poppy during forgotten, because there will always be this period, we are demonstrating our more tomorrows.” appreciation for those who died and for Guarding Our Freedom those who have survived. By contribut- Jealously… ing to the Ex-Services League, we are But there’s also a more powerful helping desperate old soldiers like the message from their gathering: it is, that one who Mrs. Pilgrim so graphically we must guard our freedom jealously described as “living in a basket.” and fearlessly because it is precious. Conclusion These elderly men and women, who So, let us all join them and pay trib- wear their medals with pride every ute to those alive and those who did not year, were moved to put their lives on survive. Let us turn out at the Remem- the line because they felt their freedom brance Day parades this coming Sun- was at stake, even though they lived under a colonial yoke. Some of them day and talk to the “old soldiers”. Ask remind us, with wagging fingers, that them to recount their stories and give if Hitler had taken over Britain, France them a listening ear. Spend a few min- and the rest of Europe, the course of utes with them. Listen to their stories. world history would have changed -- Do not wound their pride. and our history too, would have been Mrs. Dorothy Pilgrim and the Ex- different. Indeed, I am often reminded Services League need your help, our of a late veteran who used to say that help. So, buy a poppy and give a help- “had it not been for the Russians, we ing hand. would have been speaking German in Until next week, may God Bless our these islands today.” Veterans of the two World Wars and Nazism: A Common Threat the souls of those who have since de- Some may argue that the two World parted. 6 Saint Lucia Saturday, November 13, 2004 Rodent Control Programme on the move he Rodent Control Coordina- itation practices to the high level infes- Campaign, during which a survey will Ttion Unit (RCCU) has been set tation which will compel our specifi c be carried out by means of a question- up and is housed on the 1st Floor - objective of a clean St Lucia. naire, to access the infestation of rats Ministry of Health. The Staff is com- The programmes’ theme is “Clean and mice in households in the North prised of a Programme Coordinator, up Our Environment, Bait Control Rats and South of the island. The second a Communications Offi cer, an Envi- and Mice infestation.” This theme has phase is the Sanitation, Exclusion and ronmental Offi cer and eight Vector a specifi c intention for the public to get Baiting. The third phase Surveillance, Control Offi cers. involve and take ownership of the Ro- a combination of active and passive The main objective of the Pro- dent Control Programme. surveillance, which will be carried out gramme is to “control the population The design of the Programme is to during this period. and Rats and Mice on the island.” The be carried out in phases; fi rst phase is The RCCU can be contaced for further (L) Dr. Perlinder Dupre and Programme will directly link poor san- a National Awareness and Education information at [email protected] Mrs. Rose Aubertin

Rodents can be controlled

The team of the Rodent Control Unit Martinique gearing to assist with new hospital

team from the University Hos- the pictures become clearer, stakehold- technology. change, when the island’s new hos- Apital Complex of Martinique ers are ensuring that the health sector Explaining further, Mr. Pierre said, pital is commissioned before the end was on in St. Lucia last week, meet- is prepared for implementation well “That is the equipment for the hospital of 2009. Mission Coordinator for the ing with local health offi cials and ahead of the hospital’s completion in to really do evaluation, and suggest to La Menard visit, Miss Francois Tanic, other stakeholders involved the some 4 to 5 years. us the best type of equipment to get. said this would not hamper the good construction of the new hospital. The discussion with the La Menard They are also looking to provide us relationship shared between the two The team shared its experience Hospital was spearheaded by the Na- with assistance, in terms of human re- countries in the area of health. with St. Lucia, with a view to assist- tional Authorizing Offi ce of the Euro- source development, training for our The Martinique delegation also ing the island in the development of pean Development Fund. National Au- health practitioners, such as nurses in paid a courtesy call on the Parlia- a new general hospital and its health thorising Offi cer, Wilfred Pierre said the most recent techniques”. mentary Secretary in the Ministry sector in general. the island would receive much needed St. Lucians, for many years have of Health, Hon. Jon Odlum, as well The new general hospital for St. assistance in medical information tech- travelled to Martinique for medi- as engaged in a tour of the Victoria Lucia is still in its design stage, but as nology, telemedicine and bio-medical cal services. But this is expected to Hospital. Teachers undergoing training in creative writing rimary and Secondary School subject area of Language and Writing away from what we call the traditional Workshop”: “The pieces that they are Pteachers undergoing training at upon their return to the classroom. approach to writing, whereby the focus putting into the Writers Garden are the Division of Teacher Education Language Arts Lecturer at the Divi- was just on the fi nal product”, said Ms. not the typical kind of writing pieces at the Sir Arthur Lewis Communi- sion of Teacher Education and Educa- Sargusingh-Terrance, adding, “we have that one would do in the classroom ty College (SALCC), are the major tional Administration, Ms. Lisa Sar- gone through the stages of the writing even at the Secondary level, because players in two innovative projects gusingh-Terrance said that the College process from pre-writing to publish- they wrote pieces such as obituaries dubbed “The Writers Garden and was also promoting this new approach, ing, which is actually what authors do and recipes, and it’s not obituaries the Writers Workshop”. for people, obituaries for things like which challenges teachers to realize when they write, and coming out of this a pencil, an obituary for a dead com- The projects form part of a special that their individual creativity must be course our students produced a number course - The Teaching of Writing - brought to bear, in order to effectively puter”. of pieces.” which introduces the student-teachers transmit knowledge. The overall aim of the project is to to a refreshing set of classroom tech- “This course actually focuses on Ms. Sargusingh-Terrance said the ensure that the local education system niques. teaching our student teachers how to teachers have opted to display their cre- produces persons who can become The teachers are expected to inject approach writing in their classrooms ativity, using unique initiatives dubbed ‘the skilled writers and authors of the a new element of creativity into the from a process approach and moving “The Writers Garden” and the “Writers future’. Saturday, November 13, 2004 Saint Lucia 7 Chamber educates members on Universal Health Care The people in turn can deliver to the he St. Lucia Chamber of Com- system. It proposes to: Maximize the appropriate incentive and accountabil- ity frameworks into all provider and country a reduced burden of disease Tmerce, Industry and Agriculture use of health resources and create a and enhanced productivity. will be hosting an Executive Lun- more efficient health system capable health worker agreements to ensure cheon on Thursday, November 11, of providing quality health services in value for money. Chamber Members and the wider 2004 at the Indies Conference Centre the most effective manner; reduce the The overall aim of the Universal Business Community can look forward from 12:30 pm. The Guest Speakers impact of poverty by making health Health Care (UHC) is to ensure that no to an informative presentation by Dr. are Dr. Stephen King, Chief Medical care affordable and accessible to all in one in need of care will be denied to Stephen King and Ms. Emma Hip- Officer and Ms. Emma Hippolyte, need of care; reduce the resource gap quality health services. It is believed polyte as they address issues on How Director of the National Insurance in health to allow for more comprehen- that the country can deliver to the peo- Will UHC Work? How Much Will It Corporation. sive coverage of health needs; focus re- ple a well functioning health system Cost? Who Pays? When? and What In September 1997, the Minister sources on priority needs; incorporate driven by a robust finance mechanism. Happens to the Private Sector? of Health appointed a Health Sec- tor Reform Committee which started the most recent Health Sector Reform process. Cabinet in December 2000 approved the policy presented in the Health Sector Reform proposal docu- ment dated March 2000. The vision is a health sector that is designed to pro- duce “wellness” in the comprehensive sense including mental, physical, and social health. The underlying belief is that a people who are well “holistical- ly” will be maximally productive and therefore in a position to fully develop themselves, their families, their com- munities and the nation. Essentially, the health sector is responsible for en- suring that the most valuable national resource, that is, the people, will be well enough to allow for maximum hu- man resource development. Universal Health Care (UHC) is being proposed as a- supplementary financial mechanism for the health Dr. King explains UHC to journalists at a recent workshop Nurses to be apprised Christmas gift on Men’s Health Issues extravaganza coming ommunity Health Nurses have Saint Lucia’s epidemiological profile he Ministry of Commerce, Invest- kets locally for handicraft specialty gift Cplaced the issue, Challenging on men’s health issues; analyse the Tment & Consumer Affairs in col- items and increase sales of functional Men’s Health at the top of the agen- psychosocial and cultural behaviour laboration with ten companies from the craft items during this Christmas sea- da for their Conference on Novem- amongst men towards health care; en- craft and manufacturing sectors will be son. ber 19, 2004. hance their skills in relating to men’s staging a Christmas gift extravaganza The general public is invited to this entitled ‘KADEAU NOEL’ on the fol- The annual event of the Community health issues; and develop ways of uti- exciting event, which will feature cre- lowing days: Saturday - November 27 Health Nursing Service is designed to lizing health promotion strategies to ative gift items, raffles, giveaways and address selected men’s health issues. at the J.Q. Charles Mall from 10 am - music. provide a forum to update the nurses 6pm; Wednesday & Thursday - Decem- Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen This event will offer a special oppor- on current health issues and how these ber l & 2 at the Coal Pot Restaurant, tunity for persons desirous of purchas- issues impact on the delivery of profes- King will deliver the feature confer- Vigie, from 12 noon - 2pm; Saturday ence address, which is scheduled to ing high quality unique, craft items. sional health care by nurses. - December 18 at the Gablewoods Mall Further information can be obtained take place at the Rex St. Lucian Hotel. During this year’s activity, the nurs- from 10 am - 6 pm; The extravaganza from Fercinta Louisv or Cynthia Laba- es will examine issues relating primar- More information can be obtained provides an opportunity for participat- die at the Ministry of Commerce, at tele- ily to men’s health. They will review from Susanna Jolie at tel. 452 4416 ing companies to penetrate niche mar- phone number 468-4245 or 468-4219.

Sammy as captain and Sergio Fedee, sell Emmanuel, Gerson Alexander, who is currently playing club cricket Gregg Wilson, Alvin La Feuille, Wen- Lots of cricket for for the Young Men’s Progressive Club dell Roberts, Wade Clovis, Alex An- (YMPC) in Barbados as the vice-cap- toine, Shawn Straker, Alvin Prospere, tain. Matthus St.Rose, Mervin Charles, national team coming The other members of the team are Gairy Mathurin, Alleyne Prospere and John Eugene, Craig Emmanuel, Rus- Xavier Gabriel. he St. Lucia National Cricket Barbados one-day matches on Novem- TAssociation has finalised a one ber 20 and 21 at the Beausejour cricket year programme, which is expected ground. We feel that it is a very good to be approved by affiliates at the opportunity for our national cricket next Board of Management meet- team. The following week would be ing. The cricket association has also the Windward Islands cricket tourna- secured office space at the Mindoo ment and the St. Lucia team will be Phillip Park. participating. So we are hoping to use The senior national cricket team is those two Barbados one-day matches due to come up against regional pow- to see where we are at in terms of our erhouse, Barbados in two, limited- team, and to raise the morale of the St. overs matches. President of the local Lucian cricketers,” Mr. James said. cricket association, Dennis James said The Windward Islands cricket tour- the matches against the Barbadians nament will run from November 26th would be a perfect setting for members to December 6th, with matches to of the team, who would be involved be played at the Beausejour Cricket in the Windward Islands Cricket Se- Ground and the Mindoo Phillip Park. ries, which starts here at the end of this An 18-member squad has been se- month. lected for the games against Barbados, “We have slated the St. Lucia versus with West Indies all rounder, Darren Artist impression of Beausejour Cricket Ground 8 Saint Lucia Saturday, November 13, 2004 Cultural Icon Florita Marquis passes on

In Church

On the way to Cemetery

At the funeral reception

Saint Lucia NATIONWIDE is published every week by the Department of Information Services. Contact us at: The Department of Information Services, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building, The Waterfront, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies Tel: (758) 468 2116; Fax (758) 453 1614; E-mail: [email protected]; http://stlucia.gov.lc