Carib Scope

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  • NICU Concerns Grow Despite Ministry’s Blood‑Supply Assurances

    NICU Concerns Grow Despite Ministry’s Blood‑Supply Assurances

    A deepening crisis is unfolding at Belize’s Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) as fresh allegations emerge contradicting official assurances about blood supply adequacy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This development follows the recent tragic death of newborn Darielle Harris, first reported on January 27, 2026.

    An additional grieving mother has come forward with disturbing claims, asserting that critically ill infants in the NICU have succumbed to sepsis amid alleged blood product shortages. The anonymous source specifically contends that blood donated for her own child—who subsequently passed away—was not made accessible to other vulnerable newborns requiring urgent transfusion.

    The Ministry of Health and Wellness had previously issued a weekend press release categorically denying that blood or platelet shortages contributed to another neonatal death involving Jenny Pinelo’s infant. Official records cited by the Ministry indicate that seventy-six units of platelets were delivered to KHMH between January 15-22 upon request, with all blood product demands being fulfilled promptly. The statement further emphasized that national blood banks maintain sufficient reserves and that public healthcare facilities, including KHMH, operate with adequate inventories.

    News organizations have attempted to obtain responses from both the Ministry and hospital administration regarding these new allegations, but neither entity had provided commentary by the time of publication. The growing discrepancy between parental testimonies and governmental assurances has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability within Belize’s neonatal healthcare system.

    This situation continues to develop as concerned families seek answers and advocacy groups call for independent investigation into the NICU’s operational protocols and resource management.

  • Observatory Report details structural irregularities in SENASA case

    Observatory Report details structural irregularities in SENASA case

    SANTO DOMINGO – A comprehensive investigation into the National Health Insurance Agency (SENASA) has revealed systematic corruption involving tens of millions of pesos in misappropriated public health funds. The damning findings were presented Tuesday at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) during the unveiling of the Seventh Report from the Observatory of Administrative Corruption Cases.

    Investigative journalist Edith Febles, who spearheaded the research, detailed a complex network of financial irregularities within the Dominican Republic’s healthcare system. The probe originated from an anonymous document that exposed multimillion-peso contracts, recurring payments, and suspicious financial benefits linked to health services.

    Initial assessments indicated approximately 75 million pesos in monthly questionable payments, but subsequent investigation uncovered the scheme’s true scale far exceeded early projections. The report identifies a consistent pattern of administrative opacity and deliberate lack of transparency within SENASA’s operations during the reviewed period.

    Field verification conducted across multiple provinces revealed that numerous contracted health services were never actually delivered to patients. Primary care centers and hospitals confirmed the existence of funded but non-operational structures, suggesting widespread ghost services within the system.

    The Observatory’s analysis concludes that these corrupt practices have directly compromised hospital financing mechanisms and degraded healthcare service quality nationwide. Researchers emphasized the critical need for enhanced oversight measures, greater transparency protocols, and strengthened accountability mechanisms for public health expenditure.

  • Belize, UNDP Kick Off Massive Reforestation Effort

    Belize, UNDP Kick Off Massive Reforestation Effort

    The Central American nation of Belize has embarked on a monumental environmental restoration project in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The landmark initiative, officially launched on January 27, 2026, aims to plant one million trees across the country by 2035 as a strategic response to climate change challenges and rapid development pressures.

    Prime Minister John Briceño ceremoniously planted the first tree, marking the commencement of the Belize Greening Initiative. This comprehensive long-term program focuses on three core objectives: large-scale reforestation, environmental rehabilitation, and nationwide community engagement in conservation efforts.

    John Pinelo, Acting Chief Forest Officer, emphasized the critical timing of this initiative, noting significant forest cover decline following recent fire seasons. “Our forests are vital for climate mitigation, biodiversity and rural livelihoods,” Pinelo stated. He highlighted the project’s alignment with multiple international commitments including the Belize National Landscape Restoration Strategy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

    The program specifically targets wildfire-affected regions and degraded areas, with implementation relying heavily on community participation. “Without community awareness and engagement, we cannot do this successfully,” Pinelo acknowledged. “The Forest Department guides it, but we can’t plant a million trees by ourselves.”

    Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, framed the initiative as both an environmental and cultural imperative. “Our forests, mangroves, rivers and farms are not just features of our landscape. They’re part of who we are as a people,” Minister Habet declared during the launch ceremony. “They protect us from storms, feed our families, support livelihoods and anchor our resilience in a changing climate.”

    The minister issued a sobering reminder of conservation urgency: “What we do not protect, we will eventually lose.” The program represents the government’s commitment to restoring natural landscapes while simultaneously strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable economic development nationwide.

    This massive reforestation effort positions Belize as a regional leader in climate adaptation strategies, creating cleaner public spaces while protecting biodiversity through systematic landscape restoration.

  • Santiago sees tourism and air connectivity gains after FITUR

    Santiago sees tourism and air connectivity gains after FITUR

    SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Dominican Republic – Mayor Ulises Rodríguez has confirmed that the city’s strategic involvement in Madrid’s International Tourism Fair (FITUR) is generating substantial economic returns, marked by enhanced tourism metrics, breakthrough aviation agreements, and elevated global standing. For the second year running, Santiago executed a coordinated presence at the premier event, uniting municipal leadership, private sector representatives, and development institutions in a unified promotional effort.

    The most notable achievement cited by Rodríguez is the definitive emergence of Santiago as a mature tourist destination, characterized by surging visitor numbers and consistently high occupancy rates across accommodation facilities. In a landmark development for regional connectivity, the mayor announced the establishment of three new direct flight routes linking Santiago’s Cibao International Airport directly with Madrid—a first-ever continuous air corridor to Europe. Further expanding its international access, Copa Airlines is commencing operations from Santiago this week, with an additional overseas route scheduled for imminent revelation.

    Beyond transportation infrastructure, Rodríguez emphasized the invaluable diplomatic and promotional value generated by high-level official visits. The recent choice of Santiago by Chile’s President-Elect José Antonio Kast and the Governor of New York State as a priority destination signals growing international confidence in the city’s ongoing revitalization. Transformative improvements in urban cleanliness, public organization, and developmental planning were highlighted as key factors driving this external validation. Concluding his assessment, Rodríguez credited the national administration of President Luis Abinader for providing the strategic vision and stable governance that have positioned both Santiago and the broader Dominican Republic as benchmarks for economic progress and democratic resilience.

  • Guyana misses 2025 gold target, measures identified to increase declarations this year

    Guyana misses 2025 gold target, measures identified to increase declarations this year

    Guyana’s gold industry fell short of its 2025 production target despite intensified anti-illegal mining operations, recording a deficit of 15,679 ounces against its 500,000-ounce goal. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh revealed in his 2026 National Budget address that total declarations reached 484,321 ounces, representing an 11.6% industry expansion nonetheless.

    The government response has been multifaceted: enhanced monitoring of licensed dealers, expanded purchasing infrastructure, and stricter compliance measures. While declarations from licensed dealerships declined by 21.5% to 121,883 ounces, this was offset by a 15.5% increase from large-scale operators (167,005 ounces) and a remarkable 45.6% surge in declarations to the Guyana Gold Board (195,432 ounces).

    Infrastructure expansion played a key role in 2025, with mobile purchasing operations in Lethem, Marudi, and Mahdia culminating in two permanent purchasing locations by year’s end. Three additional mobile units are planned for Puruni, Karuni, and Olive Creek before mid-2026 to further combat leakage.

    The reform agenda includes mandatory local bank accounts for miners, compulsory personal record updates, and intensified audits. These measures, welcomed by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, aim to formalize the sector and improve traceability.

    With gold prices projected to average US$3,575 per troy ounce in 2026, the government anticipates declarations reaching 510,450 ounces. Non-oil exports are expected to grow by 8.6% to US$2.5 billion, largely driven by gold and bauxite exports, which increased 63.4% and 52% respectively in 2025.

    Budget incentives supporting miners include removal of duties on all-terrain vehicles and outboard engines up to 150 horsepower, reduced taxes on double-cab pickups, maintained zero-percent excise tax on petroleum products, and investments in hinterland infrastructure and airstrip upgrades.

  • Law 47-25 on Public Procurement takes effect this Wednesday

    Law 47-25 on Public Procurement takes effect this Wednesday

    SANTO DOMINGO – A transformative legal framework for public procurement, Law 47-25, officially takes effect in the Dominican Republic this Wednesday. The legislation, promulgated by President Luis Abinader on July 28 of the previous year, completes its mandatory 180-day waiting period, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s governance and fiscal management.

    To inaugurate the law’s implementation, President Abinader will preside over a ceremony to sign the decree that approves its General Application Regulation. This crucial regulatory document outlines the specific standards, establishes clear timelines, and delineates the responsibilities necessary for the effective execution of the new legal framework across all government entities.

    The General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) has characterized the new regulation as the operational engine that translates the law’s foundational principles into concrete, actionable procedures. The agency has designed a gradual, supportive implementation strategy to ensure a smooth transition. This comprehensive plan includes extensive training programs and continuous technical support from the DGCP to purchasing units within all public institutions, aiming for universal compliance and preventing any administrative lag.

    Carlos Pimentel, the Director of the DGCP, underscored the strategic value of this phased approach, stating it provides essential legal certainty and unambiguous guidance for every participant in the public procurement ecosystem.

    In a further step to cement the rollout, the DGCP is set to issue a detailed resolution this Thursday, which will articulate the subsequent institutional steps required for the law’s proper enforcement.

    Law 47-25 introduces a suite of profound reforms designed to modernize state purchasing. Key provisions include a substantial increase in the procurement budget reserved for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those owned by women, raising the mandatory allocation from 20% to 30%. The legislation also fortifies sanctions to combat corruption, institutes novel contracting modalities, and mandates the exclusive use of the Electronic Public Procurement System (SECP) to enhance transparency. Furthermore, the law innovatively integrates environmental and sustainability criteria into the government’s procurement decision-making process, aligning national spending with broader ecological goals.

  • Werkzoekenden Bangladesh gedwongen mee te vechten in Rusland tegen Oekraïne

    Werkzoekenden Bangladesh gedwongen mee te vechten in Rusland tegen Oekraïne

    An extensive investigation by the Associated Press has uncovered a disturbing pattern of systematic deception targeting Bangladeshi labor migrants who were lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment, only to be coerced into military service in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.

    Maksudur Rahman, a 31-year-old from Bangladesh, arrived in Russia expecting to work as a window cleaner in Moscow’s cold climate. Within weeks, he found himself on the Ukrainian frontlines after being pressured into signing Russian documents that were later revealed to be military contracts. Rahman and other Bangladeshi workers received training in drone warfare, medical evacuations, and combat techniques with heavy weaponry.

    When Rahman protested his forced conscription, he was told: “Your agent sent you here. We bought you.” The migrants faced severe threats including decade-long prison sentences and physical abuse for refusing combat duties. After seven months of compelled service, Rahman managed to escape and return to Bangladesh.

    Three additional Bangladeshi men who escaped Russian military service provided corroborating accounts of coercion, mistreatment, and threats. Their testimonies were supported by family members and verified through official documentation including visas, military contracts, medical reports, police records, and photographic evidence of injuries.

    The forced duties assigned to these conscripted migrants encompassed frontline combat operations, supply transportation, casualty evacuation, and corpse recovery. Similar deceptive recruitment practices have affected workers from other South Asian nations including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, with additional reports emerging from Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, and Iraq.

    Some Bangladeshi workers were specifically recruited under false pretenses of non-combat roles. Mohan Miajee, originally an electrician in Russia’s Far East, was recruited for electronic warfare but found himself in occupied Avdiivka, Ukraine, where he faced repeated physical abuse for refusing orders or making mistakes.

    Families of missing men have repeatedly contacted Bangladeshi police and government authorities demanding investigations. Salma Akdar continues to hope for news of her husband Ajgar Hussein, who departed believing he had secured laundry work. After weeks of communication, Hussein reported being forced into military training and frontline deployment, with commanders threatening detention, execution, and food deprivation for non-compliance. His final message was an emotional plea for prayers.

  • LETTER:When Regret Becomes Recruitment: A Dangerous Message to Caribbean Girls by Brent Simon

    LETTER:When Regret Becomes Recruitment: A Dangerous Message to Caribbean Girls by Brent Simon

    A troubling social phenomenon is emerging across Caribbean communities, where women grappling with severe health consequences are inadvertently perpetuating cycles of preventable disease. Rather than cautioning younger generations, many are actively encouraging the same lifestyle choices that led to their own chronic conditions—including poor nutrition, sedentary behavior, and medical non-compliance.

    This pattern represents a psychological coping mechanism wherein personal regret transforms into collective normalization. When change appears insurmountable, there emerges a tendency to reframe damaging behaviors as cultural identity or empowerment movements. This manifests through hostile reactions to health conversations, dismissal of physical activity as ‘self-hatred,’ and characterization of nutritional discipline as cultural betrayal.

    Young Caribbean girls increasingly receive contradictory messaging: women experiencing limited mobility, medication dependency, and chronic pain simultaneously promote these outcomes as embodiments of freedom and cultural authenticity. This creates a dangerous disconnect between rhetoric and reality, where preventable health decline becomes framed as ideological statement rather than medical consequence.

    The core issue transcends individual health choices, touching upon intergenerational responsibility and cultural preservation. When communities reframe health deterioration as cultural identity, they effectively transform preventable suffering into inherited burden. The Caribbean region already faces disproportionate rates of non-communicable diseases, making this normalization particularly concerning from public health and ethical perspectives.

    True empowerment involves distinguishing between body acceptance and health encouragement. While self-love remains vital, it shouldn’t preclude honest conversations about preventable conditions. The moral imperative lies in breaking cyclical patterns rather than perpetuating them under the guise of cultural solidarity.

    This analysis doesn’t blame individuals facing health challenges, but rather examines the social mechanisms that discourage preventive health behaviors. The solution requires compassionate yet truthful intergenerational dialogue that prioritizes long-term wellbeing over short-term validation.

    Caribbean youth deserve health education grounded in medical reality rather than defensive ideology. They need role models demonstrating functional strength and sustainable wellness practices. Most importantly, they require honest guidance about navigating modern health challenges while maintaining cultural authenticity—not false assurances that equate health neglect with cultural pride.

    The path forward demands courage to prioritize truth over comfort, recognizing that genuine cultural preservation involves ensuring future generations inherit health and resilience rather than preventable medical burdens.

  • Macario Coy Suspended from Being Justice of the Peace

    Macario Coy Suspended from Being Justice of the Peace

    In a significant judicial development, Macario Coy, a 39-year-old educator and former United Democratic Party senator, has been immediately suspended from his position as a Justice of the Peace. The suspension follows criminal charges filed against him in what court documents describe as a “serious offense.

    The suspension was formally enacted through a Gazette Extraordinary published on January 5, 2026, which mandates that Coy immediately cease all judicial functions, duties, and powers. This suspension will remain in effect pending the final resolution of Case MTOR 25000666, currently before the Punta Gorda Magistrate Court.

    The case stems from allegations made by a 36-year-old female educator who reported an incident of sexual assault allegedly occurring on November 4, 2025. Following these reports, Coy voluntarily surrendered to Punta Gorda Police authorities two weeks later, accompanied by legal counsel. Formal arrest and charges were executed on November 21, 2025, with the court granting bail set at $3,000.

    This action is pursuant to provisions within the Justices of the Peace Act, which explicitly requires any individual holding this judicial office to step down immediately when charged with a serious offense, maintaining suspension throughout the judicial process until case resolution.

  • New Scholarship Opens Door for Girls in Tech

    New Scholarship Opens Door for Girls in Tech

    A groundbreaking educational partnership between Saint Ignatius High School in Belize and Mexico’s Universidad Politécnica de Bacalar (UPB) has established an annual scholarship program specifically designed to empower young women pursuing careers in technology. The five-year agreement, formally announced during a January 22nd signing ceremony in Santa Elena, will provide full tuition support for one female student annually to study software engineering through UPB’s information technology and digital innovation program.

    The initiative, extending through 2029, represents a strategic effort to address gender disparities in Belize’s technology sector by creating structured pathways for female participation. Principal Jeaneane Neal of Saint Ignatius High School projected that the partnership will produce at least five professionally trained software engineers for Belize by 2030, significantly boosting the nation’s technical workforce.

    Selection for the prestigious scholarship involves a rigorous assessment process combined with comprehensive mentorship preparation. Students currently receive guidance from Byron Cera, identified as Belize’s sole licensed network engineer, ensuring candidates are thoroughly prepared for their international educational experience. The program seeks academically exceptional students with demonstrated strength in STEM subjects, while simultaneously encouraging broader female participation in technology fields.

    Beyond financial support, the scholarship provides successful candidates access to an international network of women working in technology, creating valuable professional connections and mentorship opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Principal Neal emphasized the program’s broader mission: “We want to ensure that our young girls know that anything is possible,” highlighting the initiative’s role in challenging gender stereotypes and expanding career aspirations for Belizean women.