KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant stride toward enhancing public health, Biomedical Caledonia Medical Laboratory Limited has broadened the accessibility of National Health Fund (NHF) card services across all its islandwide locations. This expansion enables patients to avail themselves of subsidized pap smears, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and HbA1c diabetes monitoring, crucial for early detection and management of chronic conditions. The initiative includes the recently inaugurated Holborn Road facility in Kingston, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the island. CEO Helen Christian emphasized the importance of this development, stating, ‘Affordable diagnostic testing can significantly impact early detection versus late-stage diagnosis. Early detection saves lives, and we are dedicated to making these essential services accessible to every community we serve.’ The expansion was made possible through collaboration with the NHF and Advanced Integrated Systems (AIS), which facilitated streamlined processing, provider number assignments, and staff training for efficient NHF claims handling. The NHF Card Programme plays a pivotal role in supporting Jamaicans with chronic illnesses by subsidizing medications, supplies, and diagnostic tests. Regular pap smears are vital for cervical cancer prevention, PSA tests aid in early prostate cancer detection, and HbA1c testing is essential for diabetes management—a prevalent chronic condition in Jamaica. With over 50 collection centers and ISO 15189 accreditation, Biomedical is well-equipped to improve healthcare access across diverse communities. Christian highlighted that this partnership with the NHF marks a significant step toward equitable access to diagnostic services, ensuring that ‘geography and finances never stand between Jamaicans and the healthcare they need.’
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Prison officer, 3 elderly relatives homeless after Tabaquite fire
A devastating fire on November 18 left a prison officer and three elderly women homeless after it destroyed their homes in Manuel Junction, Guaracara, Tabaquite. The fire, which broke out around 1:30 pm, consumed both the front wooden and concrete structure and the rear two-bedroom concrete house, sparing only the kitchen. Rishi Ramlal, 45, his mother Chandra Sammy, 74, and her sisters Sita Sammy, 67, and Tulsie Sammy, 76, lost all their belongings in the blaze. Sita, who lived in the rear structure, recounted smelling smoke and seeing curtains ablaze. Her sisters and Ramlal’s 13-year-old son, who was visiting, escaped unharmed. Despite the loss, the family expressed gratitude for their lives, with Sita stating, ‘The main thing is that we have life. We thank God for that.’ Neighbors attempted to control the fire by throwing water until firefighters from the Chaguanas Fire Station arrived to extinguish it. The Brasso Police Station officers, including Sgt Andrews, PC Mathura, and WPC Kennedy, were among the first responders. The family spent the night at a relative’s home and received a visit from local councillor Henry Awong. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the family is seeking assistance to rebuild their lives.
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President tells diplomats: Co-operation better than conflict
President Christine Kangaloo of Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Annual Heads of Missions Dinner at the President’s House on November 5, 2023, welcoming 31 members of the diplomatic corps. The event, attended by both resident and non-resident heads of missions and their spouses, served as a platform for fostering camaraderie, cultural appreciation, and diplomatic goodwill. Among the distinguished guests were Venezuelan Ambassador Alvaro Enrique Sanchez Cordero, Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, Acting Permanent Secretary Randall Karim, and Chief of Protocol Andria Narinesingh. In her address, President Kangaloo commended the diplomats for their efforts in bridging divides, promoting consensus, and facilitating urgent relief efforts for citizens in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. She emphasized the importance of cooperation over conflict, dialogue over disputation, and respect over regret. Ambassador Cordero expressed the diplomatic community’s collective sorrow over the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. The evening concluded with a traditional toast by President Kangaloo, reaffirming Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to fostering enduring and respectful international partnerships.
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WI lose by five wickets as Black Caps take 2-0 ODI series lead
In a thrilling rain-affected One Day International (ODI) match at McLean Park in Napier on November 19, New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory over the West Indies with just three balls to spare. This win gave the Black Caps an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final fixture scheduled for November 21. Despite a masterful unbeaten century (109 not out) from West Indies captain Shai Hope, the visitors fell short as New Zealand’s batsmen chased down a revised target of 235 in 34 overs. Hope’s valiant effort, which included 13 fours and four sixes, guided the West Indies to a total of 247/9. However, New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway (90) and Rachin Ravindran (56) set a strong foundation with a 106-run partnership. Although the West Indies bowlers fought back, captain Mitchell Santner (34 not out) and wicketkeeper Tom Latham (39 not out) sealed the victory with aggressive batting in the final overs. Nathan Smith was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 4/42, while Kyle Jamieson contributed with 3/44.
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FNM calls for removal of Golden Isles Returning Officer Neil Campbell
The Free National Movement (FNM) has formally requested the removal of Neil Campbell as Returning Officer for the Golden Isles constituency, citing concerns over his suitability and alleged conflicts of interest. In a letter addressed to Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson, FNM Leader Dr. Duane Sands emphasized the party’s ‘serious concerns’ about the integrity of the electoral process, particularly following challenges during and after advanced polling. The FNM contends that Mr. Campbell should have recused himself voluntarily, given his public admissions of personal ties to key political figures, including Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and FNM Leader Michael Pintard. The party is urging his replacement with ‘a more suitable public officer’ to ensure the election’s fairness and credibility. Meanwhile, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has dismissed the FNM’s claims as ‘reckless,’ accusing the opposition of fabricating the confrontation during Monday’s advance poll. The PLP has expressed full support for the Parliamentary Commissioner and warned against undermining public trust in the electoral system. Mr. Campbell, for his part, has vehemently denied allegations of bias, asserting that his personal relationships have never influenced his professional duties. The dispute stems from a chaotic standoff on Monday, where FNM and Coalition of Independents supporters blocked the removal of ballot boxes, alleging breaches in transport protocols. Election officials maintain that the process was conducted lawfully, with all agents witnessing and approving the sealing of the boxes. The FNM has pledged to raise further concerns in upcoming meetings with election officials, underscoring the heightened political tensions surrounding the electoral process.
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JBG chief questions how auditors missed massive fraud as multiple checks failed to detect $46b irregularities
Executives at Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) have expressed deep concerns over the failure of multiple audit teams to detect a significant, multi-year fraud within the company’s US operations. CEO Chris Levy highlighted the oversight failure as a critical issue requiring further investigation. The fraud, which involved concealing costs in biological assets and inventory accounts while understating vendor financing, led to a staggering $46 billion in financial adjustments. Despite three layers of auditors—including those from the US banking syndicate and JBG’s own auditors—issuing clean opinions on financial statements, the irregularities were ultimately uncovered by an internal whistleblower. Ian Parsard, Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Planning, expressed astonishment at the systemic failure, noting the coordinated efforts by leadership to evade detection. The company has since implemented sweeping reforms, including replacing its US accounting team, changing auditors, and introducing new controls with IBM’s assistance. The new auditors bring specific poultry industry expertise, enabling them to identify irregularities previously overlooked. This case raises broader questions about the effectiveness of audits in complex, multi-jurisdictional organizations and underscores the potential for determined management to bypass even robust financial oversight systems. For JBG, the fallout has been severe, necessitating a complete financial restructuring and eroding shareholder trust.
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New report shows violence against women is pervasive in the Americas
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the ongoing prevalence of violence against women and girls in the Americas, including the Caribbean. Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on November 25, new estimates reveal that one in three women aged 15 and older in the region has endured physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence remains the most common form, affecting one in four women aged 15-49, while one in eight has suffered sexual violence from non-partners. Young women aged 15-19 face significant risks, with 21% experiencing partner violence before turning 20. Older women are also vulnerable, as 23% of those aged 65 and above report such abuse. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), emphasized that violence is preventable and stressed the importance of high-quality data to address the issue effectively. Despite increased awareness and interventions, progress in reducing violence has been slow, and countries in the Americas are unlikely to meet Sustainable Development Goal 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Britta Baer, PAHO’s advisor on violence prevention, highlighted the underreporting of sexual violence due to stigma and shame, urging strengthened access to post-rape care. The WHO’s comprehensive study, analyzing data from 2000 to 2023 across 168 countries, underscores the urgent need for informed policy decisions. Violence against women has severe consequences, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and perpetuated cycles of abuse. PAHO is supporting countries through evidence-based strategies like the RESPECT framework, which focuses on empowering women, reducing poverty, and transforming gender norms. The health sector plays a critical role in early identification, clinical care, and connecting survivors to broader services. PAHO is also facilitating regional dialogue and capacity-building to scale up effective interventions. As part of the 16 Days of Activism 2025, PAHO will host a hybrid event on November 24 with UN Women and the World Bank to present new estimates and discuss proven interventions. Dr. Barbosa reiterated that violence against women remains a regional priority, calling for sustained investments and collective action to eliminate this pervasive issue.
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Parents, guardians urged to store household chemicals properly
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Gerald Miller, the Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Jamaica, has issued a stern warning to parents and guardians regarding the safe storage of household chemicals. With many schools still closed, children are spending more time at home, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Miller emphasized the importance of keeping sanitizing products and other hazardous substances out of children’s reach to prevent health crises. ‘We are asking parents to be extremely careful to secure these chemicals, as accidental ingestion could place immense strain on our already overburdened health facilities,’ he stated. Miller acknowledged the challenges faced by families in securing storage spaces but urged them to improvise solutions, even if it means hiding chemicals in unconventional places. The call for vigilance comes as the health sector grapples with the added pressures of hurricane recovery efforts.
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Jamaica to know play-off opponents on Thursday
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican national football team, known as the Reggae Boyz, is set to discover their semi-final opponents in the FIFA World Cup play-offs during Thursday morning’s official draw. The draw will determine the matchups for the crucial qualifiers scheduled for March in Mexico. Jamaica, who missed out on an automatic qualification after a 0-0 draw against Curacao in their Concacaf Group B clash on Tuesday, is among six teams vying for the final two spots in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Curacao secured the top position in the group with 12 points, narrowly edging out Jamaica, who are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The play-offs will feature teams from various confederations, including Suriname (Concacaf), Iraq (Asian Federation), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (African Federation), Bolivia (Conmebol), and New Caledonia (Oceana). According to the format, DR Congo (ranked 56th) and Iraq (ranked 58th) will receive byes to the semi-finals, while Jamaica (ranked 70th) and Suriname (ranked 123rd) will avoid facing each other in the first round due to their shared Concacaf affiliation. The winners of the initial matches will advance to face DR Congo and Iraq, with the ultimate victors securing their place in the World Cup.
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IR expert hopes for US-Venezuela dialogue
Recent statements by US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have sparked cautious optimism for a potential de-escalation of tensions between the two nations in the Caribbean. Maduro, during his television program ‘Con Maduro’ on November 17, expressed willingness to engage in talks with US officials, a sentiment echoed by Trump, who confirmed Venezuela’s request for formal discussions. Caribbean Policy Consortium co-chairman Prof Anthony Bryan emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating, ‘Dialogue is always better than sabre rattling.’ These developments come amidst a significant US military presence in the region, including the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its strike group. The deployment, which began in August, has been framed by the US as part of anti-narcotics efforts, though critics, including the UN and European Union, have raised concerns about extra-judicial killings. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported the US military presence while reaffirming her country’s sovereignty and refusal to be used as a launchpad for attacks on Venezuela.