分类： society

A Corinth Hills family is confronting unimaginable grief following the sudden death of their three-year-old son, Omarie Richins, who passed away in his sleep during the early hours of January 12. The tragic incident has sparked urgent conversations about child sleep safety and parental vigilance.

Medical authorities at San Fernando General Hospital conducted a comprehensive autopsy revealing that young Omarie succumbed to a combination of cerebral edema (brain swelling), aspiration pneumonitis, and lower respiratory tract infection. Professor Hubert Daisley, who performed the examination, noted that aspiration pneumonitis occurs when gastric acid is inhaled into the lungs, causing severe inflammation. Additionally, toxicological analysis has been ordered following reports that the child had consumed potentially contaminated drain water, which might have contained pesticide or herbicide residues.

The child’s father, 58-year-old Anderson, recounted the heartbreaking sequence of events during an emotional interview at their Demeter Lane residence on January 13. He described how the family had shared a pizza dinner earlier that evening—Omarie’s favorite meal—during which the toddler consumed approximately four and a half slices along with sharing a bottle of mauby with his father.

Following a domestic disagreement between parents that night, Omarie had retired with his mother. According to Anderson’s account based on his wife’s testimony, the child awoke around 3 am complaining of headache, abdominal discomfort, and presenting with mild fever. Mistaking these symptoms for simple indigestion from overeating, she applied Vicks VapoRub and attempted to soothe him back to sleep.

Tragically, when she later discovered Omarie was unresponsive, immediate CPR efforts proved insufficient. Anderson, drawing on his experience as a former volunteer firefighter, performed emergency procedures including manually clearing vomitus from the child’s airways. Paramedics arrived promptly and transported Omarie to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

In his profound grief, Anderson has chosen to focus on spiritual acceptance rather than blame, stating: ‘I am not God, so if God sees it fit to take him from us, all I have to do is just ask God to strengthen me.’ He has become an unexpected advocate for child safety, urging parents to maintain vigilant watch over sleeping children: ‘When you have young kids and they eat, even though you’re going to sleep, you must still get up and check. Put your hand by their nostril, put your hand on their stomach.’

The grieving father emphasized that tragedies can occur without warning, advising parents never to take their children’s wellbeing during sleep for granted. While not attributing fault to his wife, he acknowledged that different sleeping arrangements might have altered the outcome.

The comprehensive autopsy results are pending toxicology reports, which will determine whether contaminated water consumption played any role in this devastating loss. The community now awaits these findings while mourning with the Richins family.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled comprehensive noise management protocols for the upcoming Carnival season, marking a significant shift in how cultural celebrations will be acoustically regulated. These measures represent the government’s latest effort to address longstanding community concerns while preserving traditional expressions.

Under the enhanced framework, event organizers must now comply with stringent location-specific requirements, including detailed site plans that identify proximity to residential zones and proposed noise mitigation strategies. The EMA has implemented a transparent public notification system, making all noise variation applications accessible through its official website alongside a user-friendly public comment portal.

High-risk areas—those with historical noise complaints or near sensitive facilities like healthcare institutions—will face additional requirements including formal resident notification processes and comprehensive noise management plans. The authority has adopted intelligence-led monitoring prioritizing events with previous compliance issues.

Environmental Police Unit officers will collaborate with event organizers to facilitate immediate corrective actions when violations occur, followed by enforcement proceedings under the Noise Pollution Control Rules (2001). The EMA has developed supporting documentation including an Event Variation Information Guide and Quick Reference Guide to assist compliance.

The initiative aims to reduce noise-related grievances while encouraging improved sound engineering practices. The EMA will conduct ongoing monitoring of complaint trends and provide public updates on outcomes, with potential implementation of pre-event sound testing to establish acceptable noise levels.

This balanced approach seeks to protect community wellbeing while maintaining Carnival’s cultural vitality through collaboration with government agencies, event promoters, and citizens.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) is organizing a mass demonstration amid growing frustration over unresolved salary adjustments for educators. Union President Crystal Ashe confirmed the planned rally after revealing that no communication has been received from the Chief Personnel Officer or Finance Ministry regarding the status of revised compensation packages.

Ashe disclosed that despite previous agreements, the Education Ministry’s Finance Department has not received instructions to implement new salary calculations as of January 8. Furthermore, the crucial Cabinet Note required to authorize these payments failed to gain acceptance, creating an administrative impasse.

The current dispute stems from an agreement made under previous TTUTA leadership, where a five percent salary increase for the 2020-2023 period was accepted just days before the April 28 general election. Ashe expressed cautious optimism despite the deteriorating situation, noting that January 13 marked the critical payroll calculation date when officials typically finalize monthly compensation.

The union president revealed concerning contradictions in public statements, noting: “While I didn’t hear him say it, I read somewhere that [the Minister of Finance] said he is unaware of any money to come to us because he didn’t make any such promise or arrangement.”

TTUTA has initiated visible protests with educators adopting red attire as a symbol of solidarity. The union is pursuing formal communication channels through written appeals while simultaneously seeking official permission from the Commissioner of Police for a mass rally. Ashe emphasized that teachers continue fulfilling their duties despite working under outdated compensation structures, stating: “They are dedicated to the children of TT, even in light of all the developments.”

The union maintains that protest actions will continue indefinitely until salaries reflect the promised adjustments, combining public demonstrations with behind-the-scenes advocacy through official channels.

A vibrant new therapeutic facility on Ramsaran Street in Chaguanas represents a significant advancement in specialized care for children with disabilities across Central and South Trinidad. The Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation (CKFTO) has inaugurated its second satellite clinic, strategically positioned to eliminate extensive travel burdens for families previously commuting weekly from distant regions like Mayaro and Moruga to access services in St James.

This meticulously designed clinical environment features brightly colored therapy rooms equipped with soft mats, organized play materials, and specialized pediatric rehabilitation equipment. Beyond its cheerful appearance lies a professionally configured therapeutic space where children pursue developmental milestones through occupational, speech, and physiotherapy interventions, complemented by art therapy and psychoeducational assessments.

The clinic’s operational capacity received substantial enhancement through a $10,000 USD contribution from Marubeni Power International Inc, presented during a December 2025 facility walkthrough. Mo Majeed, COO and Managing Director of Caribbean Operations at Marubeni, emphasized the company’s commitment to equitable healthcare access: “Our support reflects Marubeni’s dedication to meaningful, long-term community partnerships that create tangible impact for families. We’re helping ensure children across Trinidad receive international-standard therapeutic care.”

CKFTO General Manager Krista Hamel-Smith detailed how the funding enabled procurement of specialized Cuevas Medek Exercises equipment, traditional physiotherapy tools, and sensory-friendly resources. “Our team maximizes each child’s progress within an enjoyable, evidence-based environment,” Hamel-Smith explained. “We simultaneously support the broader network through family support groups and training sessions for parents, caregivers, and educators.”

The organization’s holistic approach extends beyond clinical walls through community outreach initiatives serving migrant children and abandoned children with disabilities at Mt Hope hospital. Additional support from Price Club director Shamshad Ali and the Digicel Foundation of TT facilitated the clinic’s establishment, with CKFTO actively seeking ongoing public and corporate partnerships to sustain its mission of delivering essential care closer to patients’ homes.

The Trinidadian government has launched an aggressive nationwide leak detection and repair campaign following the discovery of severe long-term water system failures in the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath has directed the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to expand its Leak Management Programme after joint investigations revealed critical infrastructure neglect.

Over the past month, WASA has collaborated with the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (Plipdeco) to identify 15 major leaks within the industrial estate. Technical assessments confirmed that nine of these leaks directly impact high-demand petrochemical, ammonia, methanol, steel, and gas-processing facilities. Astonishingly, some leaks have persisted for up to six years due to underground congestion and access challenges.

The cumulative effect of these failures has resulted in an estimated loss of six million imperial gallons of treated water daily—representing hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted resources. Meanwhile, communities across Central and South Trinidad have endured persistent low water pressure and rotation schedules despite this massive water loss.

Minister Padarath expressed grave concern that numerous leaks were initially reported to WASA as early as 2020 but remained unaddressed by the previous administration under the PNM government. “While citizens were asked to accept water shortages, known leaks of national significance were ignored for years,” Padarath stated. “This government has the political will to confront inherited failures, no matter how complex.”

Repair operations are currently underway for five major leaks, with work being strategically sequenced to navigate underground hazards including high-pressure gas pipelines, hydrogen and carbon dioxide manifolds, high-voltage electrical circuits, and telecommunications infrastructure. The most challenging leaks require complete shutdowns and extensive excavation, particularly one at Brechin Castle where preliminary investigations continue.

The ministry expects all repairs to be completed by the end of January. Additionally, Padarath announced through his Facebook page that WASA has established four tank farms in Penal with a combined storage capacity of 80,000 gallons, providing short to medium-term relief to the region’s water shortages.

Padarath emphasized that “leak management is part of the multi-dimensional approach to achieving our Water for All mandate. This is what responsible governance looks like: confronting inherited failures, fixing what was ignored, and putting water back where it belongs in the taps of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

A High Court justice will deliver a pivotal ruling on June 24 in the civil lawsuit against suspended physician Dr. Avinash Sawh, marking the culmination of a dramatic legal battle over alleged racial discrimination, workplace abuse, and medical misconduct. Justice Christopher Sieuchand fixed the decision date following two days of intensive virtual proceedings that exposed deeply contentious allegations between the parties.

The case centers on claims by former employee Chantelle Arielle Figaro, who alleges constructive dismissal, assault, battery, and breach of contract during her employment at Sawh’s Medical Associates from October 2019 to October 2020. Figaro contends the physician and his wife Allison Dass-Sawh created a hostile work environment characterized by verbal abuse, racial slurs, and withheld overtime compensation.

During cross-examination by Figaro’s attorney Prakash Ramadhar, Dr. Sawh made several startling admissions. He acknowledged breaching COVID-19 quarantine protocols by entering his medical facility around midnight, though he claimed this was solely for sanitization purposes. The doctor also conceded to using racially offensive language, describing his own behavior as ‘abhorrent’ and admitting to uttering phrases including ‘dunce niggers’ and allegations that certain individuals ‘take bribes.’

‘In moments of anger I used racial language,’ Sawh testified, though he maintained he couldn’t recall his exact wording. The courtroom heard recorded evidence from October 28, 2020, capturing Sawh’s derogatory remarks directed at Figaro following a clinic visit by her relative, a police officer.

Sawh further acknowledged that despite initially stating Figaro performed no nursing duties, she indeed undertook such responsibilities. However, he vehemently denied allegations of sexual harassment and assault, including specific claims that he slapped Figaro’s buttocks on July 31, 2020. ‘I never touched her,’ he asserted, adding he never found her attractive.

The physician also rejected claims of unsafe medical practices, insisting that while he instructed staff to administer drugs, this only occurred under his direct supervision. He dismissed allegations regarding expired medications and equipment malfunctions as ‘fabricated.’

Allison Dass-Sawh, who handled administrative and payroll matters, admitted to using obscene language in recorded conversations but claimed the evidence had been edited. She denied creating a toxic environment or forcing Figaro’s resignation, though acknowledged timesheets contradicting overtime claims weren’t included in her witness statement.

Defense witness Annalisa Ralph Sammy testified she witnessed no inappropriate behavior during the alleged assault incident, though security footage reportedly reviewed wasn’t presented in court.

Figaro seeks damages for psychological harm including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, plus loss of future earnings and reputational damage. This civil case follows Sawh’s 2023 one-week suspension by Trinidad and Tobago’s Medical Board for ‘infamous and disgraceful conduct’ related to the same incident, which sparked widespread social media outrage and calls for license revocation.