Carib Scope

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  • Voice of Life hosts annual ‘Share-a-thon’ this week

    Voice of Life hosts annual ‘Share-a-thon’ this week

    The Voice of Life Radio has officially announced its upcoming annual Share-a-thon, scheduled to take place from December 3-6, 2025. This four-day event promises to be a vibrant celebration blending faith, community spirit, and inspirational music, according to the station’s recent press release.

    Operating under the thematic banner ‘Your station for faith and fellowship; partnering to lift hearts and change lives,’ the Share-a-thon represents a crucial fundraising initiative. The station is calling upon its dedicated listeners, philanthropic donors, and the broader public to provide financial contributions that will sustain its ongoing broadcasting operations and community services.

    Since its establishment in 1976, The Voice of Life Radio has maintained continuous 24-hour broadcasting as a listener-supported gospel station. While originally serving Dominica and the surrounding Caribbean region, the station has expanded its reach globally through digital streaming via the internet, creating an international faith-based community.

    The station has provided multiple channels for those interested in supporting their mission. Potential donors and community partners can visit the official website at voiceofliferadio.dm or initiate contact by calling 317-5598 for additional information regarding contribution methods and participation opportunities.

  • BWS Shows Media Major Treatment Facilities

    BWS Shows Media Major Treatment Facilities

    In a transparent response to mounting public apprehension, Belize Water Services (BWS) granted media representatives unprecedented access to two critical water treatment facilities on December 2, 2025. This initiative follows concerning data from the Statistical Institute of Belize’s MICS7 survey, which identified significant water safety and sanitation challenges across multiple districts.

    Journalists received comprehensive tours of both the Double Run Water Treatment Plant in Sandhill—the primary source of potable water for Belize City and Ladyville—and the Belmopan Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has recently faced numerous complaints regarding persistent foul odors in surrounding neighborhoods.

    BWS Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Kashwani emphasized the organization’s commitment to operational transparency, stating: “We intentionally opened our doors to demonstrate our water treatment methodologies, production processes, and quality assurance protocols. Our paramount objective remains delivering safe drinking water through rigorous standards.”

    At the Double Run facility, Belize District Manager Reina Gonzalez detailed the extensive treatment cycle: “We systematically treat raw river water to ensure distributed water meets potable standards.” She highlighted the facility’s hourly testing regimen, which continuously monitors turbidity, pH levels, chlorine concentrations, and other critical indicators before water reaches consumers.

    The Belmopan plant tour addressed widespread odor concerns that had alarmed residents for several weeks. Wastewater Manager Roberto Toriz identified the cause as a damaged sewer line within the aging infrastructure. “Constructed in the 1970s, the system has reached its lifespan capacity and began collapsing,” Toriz explained, noting the complexity of repairs requiring temporary station shutdowns to prevent effluent interference.

    Toriz acknowledged the system’s limitations, confirming that eventual full replacement will be necessary. Recent improvements include replacing 500 feet of piping, with preventative strategies being developed to mitigate future incidents. BWS has announced plans for additional network upgrades throughout the coming year.

  • Antigua’s Dr Derek Marshall Becomes First Regional Examiner for Trinidad Dental Board

    Antigua’s Dr Derek Marshall Becomes First Regional Examiner for Trinidad Dental Board

    In a landmark achievement for Caribbean dental professionals, Dr. Derek Marshall from Antigua and Barbuda has made history as the inaugural regional examiner invited to participate in the prestigious National Trinidad Dental Board Examinations. The rigorous two-day assessment, conducted on November 27-28, 2025, represents a significant step toward regional integration in dental certification standards.

    The examination process, designed to ensure global standards of dental care, comprises both theoretical and clinical components that candidates must successfully complete. Dr. Marshall joined an elite panel of Trinidadian dental experts with international training backgrounds spanning the United Kingdom, United States, and the University of the West Indies system.

    The clinical evaluations followed a structured format: Day 1 focused on endodontics (root canal procedures) and fixed prosthodontics (crowns and bridges), while Day 2 assessed candidates’ skills in restorative dentistry (fillings) and periodontics (deep scaling and root planing). This comprehensive testing approach ensures that successful candidates meet the stringent requirements for registration and licensure in multiple jurisdictions.

    Candidates from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados participated in the examination session, with final results to be formally announced by the Dental Council of Trinidad and Tobago following thorough evaluation.

    Dr. Marshall brings exceptional qualifications to this role. A Temple University (USA) graduate, he currently practices as a senior practitioner at Dental Care Clinic in St. John’s, Antigua. His distinguished career includes 24 years of service as District Dental Officer within the Ministry of Health (1993-2017), and he currently holds the position of Senior Dental Consultant within the same ministry.

    Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Marshall holds leadership roles as Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Medical Registration Board and serves as Vice President of the Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association, having previously served as its President.

    In response to this honor, Dr. Marshall expressed gratitude to the Dental Council of Trinidad and Tobago for his selection, while also acknowledging the support from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Environment & Civil Service for enabling his participation. He further credited his colleagues in both private and public practice for their unwavering support in advancing professional standards across the region.

  • Removal of derelict vehicles resumes in Goodwill and Fond Cole areas

    Removal of derelict vehicles resumes in Goodwill and Fond Cole areas

    Authorities in Dominica have launched a renewed offensive against derelict vehicles, targeting neighborhoods in Goodwill and Fond Cole as part of a comprehensive public safety initiative. The joint operation, spearheaded by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) and the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), aims to address multiple urban hazards associated with abandoned automobiles.

    Official communications from the CDPF emphasize that this campaign extends beyond mere aesthetic improvement, targeting critical public health and security concerns. These neglected vehicles have been identified as potential havens for criminal activities, breeding grounds for disease-carrying rodents, and unnecessary obstructions in public areas. The initiative represents a proactive measure to mitigate these risks and uphold community standards.

    Law enforcement officials have issued a firm directive to vehicle owners, urging immediate removal of any unlicensed or abandoned automobiles. The appeal underscores the importance of civic responsibility in maintaining communal spaces. “Let us continue working together to keep our communities clean, safe, and orderly,” stated the official release, highlighting that citizen cooperation remains fundamental to the program’s success.

    The current operation builds upon previous cleanup efforts, demonstrating the government’s sustained commitment to urban renewal and crime prevention through environmental design. This systematic approach to removing derelict vehicles reflects broader strategies being implemented across Caribbean nations to enhance quality of life in residential areas.

  • Voormalig Assembleelid Mohamedsafiek Gowrie (45) overleden

    Voormalig Assembleelid Mohamedsafiek Gowrie (45) overleden

    Suriname’s political community mourns the loss of former National Assembly member Mohamedsafiek Gowrie, who passed away at age 45 on December 2nd. The confirmation came from Asis Gajadien, parliamentary leader of Gowrie’s VHP party, in an official statement to local media outlet Starnieuws.

    Gowrie served as an elected representative in Suriname’s parliament from 2020 through 2025, during which period he developed serious health complications. Despite undergoing extensive medical treatments, he maintained his commitment to legislative duties, continuing to contribute to parliamentary proceedings throughout his illness.

    “He demonstrated remarkable courage throughout his health challenges,” stated Gajadien, highlighting Gowrie’s dedication to public service. “Gowrie was a disciplined individual who approached his responsibilities with unwavering commitment, persevering even under the most difficult circumstances. Ultimately, he was forced to surrender his brave fight.”

    The VHP party leadership extended heartfelt condolences to Gowrie’s family members and loved ones. Gajadien expressed the party’s collective sympathy while offering strength and support to the grieving family during this profoundly difficult time. The passing of the young parliamentarian has created a void in Suriname’s political landscape, with colleagues remembering him as a dedicated public servant who remained active in governance until his final days.

  • Dominican President Sylvanie Burton joins OECS peers in Morocco at MEDays Forum 2025

    Dominican President Sylvanie Burton joins OECS peers in Morocco at MEDays Forum 2025

    Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco hosted the 17th MEDays Forum from November 26-29, 2025, convening global leaders during a period of significant geopolitical fragmentation. The summit, themed ‘Fractures and Polarization: Reinventing the Global Equation,’ featured substantial participation from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including Dominica President Sylvanie Burton, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.

    The Caribbean delegation’s involvement, facilitated through Eastern Caribbean Embassies in Morocco, signaled deepening commitments to African-Caribbean partnerships. President Burton drew upon Dominica’s Kalinago heritage to emphasize indigenous knowledge systems as crucial frameworks for addressing contemporary challenges. She advocated for enhanced mutual respect, cultural understanding, and improved financial accessibility for vulnerable nations.

    Prime Minister Mitchell highlighted the acute realities of climate change and international instability affecting small island developing states, proposing a reimagining of historical Africa-Atlantic-Caribbean trade routes as modern corridors for collaboration and mutual growth. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Browne addressed compounding poly-crises by calling for urgent financial reforms, vulnerability-specific assessment metrics, and substantive inclusion of small states in global decision-making processes.

    Ambassador Ian M. Queeley, OECS Representative in Rabat, expressed satisfaction with the region’s strong representation, noting that high-level participation demonstrates Africa’s recognition as a strategic partner. The forum enabled substantive dialogues with Moroccan officials regarding future cooperation avenues.

    The collective interventions articulated a distinctly Caribbean perspective advocating global solidarity, equity, and institutional responsiveness. As Morocco advances initiatives like the Atlantic Partnership and continental development programs, the MEDays Summit emerges as a critical platform for shaping international strategies that incorporate the voices of vulnerable nations seeking a more inclusive global order.

  • Imbert: Expired drugs is a ‘big problem’ in Trinidad and Tobago

    Imbert: Expired drugs is a ‘big problem’ in Trinidad and Tobago

    Opposition Parliament Member Colm Imbert has characterized the proliferation of expired pharmaceuticals within Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare system as a substantial national concern. The revelation emerged during the opposition’s weekly media briefing on December 3rd, following Newsday’s report detailing parliamentary committee discoveries of $80 million worth of medicines deteriorating into uselessness over a decade in Ministry of Health storage facilities.

    Imbert, drawing upon his tenure as health minister between 2001-2003, emphasized that this wastage problem demands comprehensive investigation. He identified a structural challenge facing smaller nations: international pharmaceutical suppliers allegedly compel local agents to accept excessively large shipments that exceed practical consumption needs, making expiration inevitable.

    PNM political leader Penelope Beckles corroborated the systemic nature of these challenges after consulting former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh (2015-2025). Beckles noted the issues extend beyond expiration dates to include ongoing global debates about drug quality disparities affecting smaller island nations.

    Imbert further alleged the current administration plans to radically alter pharmaceutical procurement by abandoning local suppliers in favor of importing generic drugs from India through government-selected agents. He claimed, without disclosing sources, that traditional suppliers are being deliberately starved of payments under the pretext of being PNM-aligned, potentially redirecting the nation’s $1 billion pharmaceutical expenditure through new import channels.

  • Same-day surgeries at Couva Hospital – SWRHA hiring more nurses

    Same-day surgeries at Couva Hospital – SWRHA hiring more nurses

    The South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) has initiated a strategic recruitment drive to bolster nursing staff at Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility, supporting the recent launch of same-day surgical services. This development marks a significant step in the phased reactivation of the healthcare institution.

    During Tuesday’s public board meeting at SAPA, SWRHA Chairman Anil Gosine confirmed that 40 nurses have already undergone interviews, with additional hires planned throughout the coming months. The initiative received financial backing from the Ministry of Health, which committed funding for the initial cohort of nursing professionals.

    Despite SWRHA’s substantial operational involvement – including commissioning work completed during 2014-2015 – Chairman Gosine clarified that the authority functions in a supportive capacity rather than assuming full management control. “South West has been doing much of the groundwork,” Gosine noted, “but the facility ultimately operates under the Ministry of Health’s direct supervision.”

    The current nursing contingent at Couva Hospital remains modest, with approximately 15 nurses stationed on-site. This expansion comes as same-day surgeries commenced on November 28, representing the initial phase of the hospital’s operational rollout.

    In parallel developments, SWRHA officials revealed they are evaluating the feasibility of integrating a scaled-down burns treatment service into the hospital’s surgical program. Dr. Anand Chattergoon, SWRHA Director of Health, explained the complexities of maintaining specialized burn care capabilities, citing Trinidad and Tobago’s average of just two severe burn cases annually.

    “Severe burns require specially trained doctors and nurses whom we currently lack,” Dr. Chattergoon stated. “Medical professionals with these specialized skills tend to seek opportunities elsewhere due to insufficient case volume to maintain their expertise.”

    The existing burns ward adequately handles superficial cases, while critical third-degree burn patients are transferred via airlift to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. This protocol ensures patients receive optimal care despite local resource constraints.

    The conversation around burn services gained additional urgency due to proximity to petrochemical and heavy-industrial operations in Point Lisas, highlighting the need for comprehensive emergency medical preparedness in the region.

  • Dieffenthaller remembered as forever changing local TV/film

    Dieffenthaller remembered as forever changing local TV/film

    The Anchorage in Chaguaramas provided a poignant seaside backdrop on December 2nd as Trinidad’s creative community gathered to honor the life and legacy of acclaimed television and film producer Danielle Dieffenthaller. The memorial service, held eight days after her passing following a prolonged battle with renal failure, transformed into a vibrant celebration of her transformative impact on Caribbean storytelling.

    The evening unfolded with atmospheric soca melodies blending with heartfelt tributes from those whose lives she touched. Moko Jumbies—traditional stilt dancers—added cultural resonance to the gathering, symbolizing the spiritual elevation Dieffenthaller brought to Trinidad’s creative landscape.

    Antoinette Hagley, Dieffenthaller’s lifelong friend since their ‘tween years at St. Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain, delivered moving reflections on her friend’s extraordinary character. She described the filmmaker as ‘a force with whom to reckon’ whose formative years in Africa expanded her vision of Trinidad’s beauty and potential. ‘She saw real excerpts of Trinidad in various things that she experienced even when she went to other countries,’ Hagley recounted.

    The memorial highlighted Dieffenthaller’s pioneering work on ‘Westwood Park,’ the groundbreaking television series she produced against significant financial constraints. Hagley shared anecdotes of their resourceful beginnings: ‘We did the pilot with no money. Danielle told me to use my convent accent and ask people to use their houses to shoot.’ Despite initial criticism about portraying bourgeois Trinidadian life, Dieffenthaller believed every story deserved telling and every social layer intersected beautifully.

    Media producer Georgia Popplewell contextualized Dieffenthaller’s dual legacy: her creative achievements and relentless advocacy for developing Trinidad’s self-sustaining film industry. ‘She turned out 100 episodes of Westwood Park and got them aired through the region, New York and London,’ Popplewell noted, describing the series as ‘one of the longest running and most successful indigenous television series ever produced in the English-speaking Caribbean.’

    The ceremony culminated with musical tributes from her brothers, soca artists Kees and Jon Dieffenthaller, who honored their sister’s memory through song. Attendees left with renewed inspiration from Dieffenthaller’s mantra: ‘Don’t work for the sake of working—do the things that bring you joy and passion.’

  • Nicholas Paul, Teniel Campbell adjudged cyclists of the year

    Nicholas Paul, Teniel Campbell adjudged cyclists of the year

    The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) celebrated its most accomplished international competitors during its annual awards ceremony on November 29 at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva. Sprint specialist Nicholas Paul and endurance cyclist Teniel Campbell received top honors as the federation’s 2025 most outstanding male and female international cyclists, respectively, following a year of remarkable achievements.

    Paul dominated the Pan American Track Cycling Championships in Paraguay last April, securing an impressive triple crown in the men’s team sprint, individual sprint, and 1km time trial events, while adding a silver medal in the keirin. Though he narrowly missed the podium at the World Championships with fourth and seventh place finishes in sprint and keirin events, Paul continued his winning streak with sprint gold at the Summer Slam in the United States in July. Most recently, he claimed keirin gold at the ongoing Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru.

    Campbell demonstrated exceptional versatility throughout the 2025 season, capturing double gold in both the women’s individual time trial and road race at the Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championships in Belize this October. Her Pan American performances included gold in the points race and bronze in the elimination race at the Track Championships, complemented by dual bronze medals in the time trial and road race at the Pan American Road Continental Championships in April. The elite cyclist also achieved second place at Belgium’s Grote Prijs Yvonne Reynders event in August and placed 23rd in a competitive field of 44 riders at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The ceremony also recognized emerging talent, with Campbell’s younger brother Akil receiving the President’s Cup for his promising performances across local, regional, and international circuits as a rising endurance specialist. Akil Campbell additionally claimed top honors for elite division one men, while Miami Blazers professional Alexi Costa-Ramirez earned the women’s equivalent.

    San Fernando-based Rigtech Sonics received the distinction of best club, with junior accolades awarded to Trishton Jaichan (PSL) and Cassidy Samaroo (Madonna Wheelers). The federation further celebrated developing talent across multiple age categories, from tinymites to masters divisions, highlighting the depth of Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling future.