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  • UDP Condemns BTL Board’s Approval of SMART Acquisition

    UDP Condemns BTL Board’s Approval of SMART Acquisition

    On August 4, 2026, Belize’s main opposition political force, the United Democratic Party (UDP), has publicly condemned the board of state-linked telecom provider Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) for greenlighting an 80 million Belize dollar acquisition of competitor Speednet Communications Limited, better known by its brand name SMART.

    UDP leader Tracy Taegar-Panton, who made the announcement in a formal statement released Tuesday, says the party is deeply troubled by the board’s decision to push the transaction forward despite widespread demands from across Belize’s political and civil society spheres for full openness, rigorous third-party due diligence, and complete disclosure of every dimension of the deal—from its financial structure to its legal, regulatory and long-term governance impacts on the nation’s telecommunications sector.

    Taegar-Panton emphasized that the BTL board’s move outright disregards mounting concerns raised by multiple major national stakeholders, including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the UDP itself, and ordinary members of the Belizean public who have questioned the merits of the consolidation.

    In her critique, the opposition leader argued that using public funds to acquire what is widely recognized as a strategic national telecommunications asset cannot reasonably proceed when the process is shrouded in ambiguity. Belizean citizens have a right to clear, verifiable answers to critical unanswered questions, she said: whether the 80 million dollar price tag delivers fair value for public money, whether all potential conflicts of interest among decision-makers have been fully identified and resolved, and whether the core interests of taxpayers, everyday telecommunications consumers, and contributors to Belize’s Social Security system have been adequately protected in the terms of the deal.

    Beyond its public condemnation, the UDP has announced concrete next steps to challenge the approval: the party will hold an urgent, closed-door meeting with the executive committee of the NTUCB to coordinate a unified response to the proposed acquisition. The party has also issued a formal call to Belize’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the independent regulatory body charged with reviewing sector consolidation, to uphold its mandate by conducting the most thorough level of due diligence and maintaining full public transparency throughout its review process for the merger.

  • Maandlange afsluiting Domineestraat zorgt voor enorme verkeerschaos

    Maandlange afsluiting Domineestraat zorgt voor enorme verkeerschaos

    A full closure of Suriname’s Domineestraat, which kicked off in early August, has immediately triggered severe traffic congestion and widespread disruption across the capital’s inner city. Motorists have been forced to divert onto smaller alternate routes, which quickly became gridlocked at multiple points as traffic volumes overwhelmed the alternate road network.

    The closure, which affects the stretch of Domineestraat between Neumanpad and Steenbakkerijstraat, is scheduled to remain in place through September 3, as part of a large-scale street rehabilitation project overseen by Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO). Civil construction firm Tjongalanga NV has been contracted to carry out the entire upgrade work. While the full rehabilitation project is set to run through December, this specific section of Domineestraat will remain completely closed to all vehicle traffic for a full 30 days to speed up construction.

    In a statement shared via Suriname’s Communication Service, Rianto Wongsoredjo, a representative of Tjongalanga NV, explained that the decision for a full closure was intentional. The entire existing roadway is being demolished to allow for complete replacement of both the road foundation and the underground drainage system. “We are tearing out the entire old road,” Wongsoredjo outlined. “After that, we will build a new foundation using clinkersand and base course, before laying two fresh layers of asphalt.”

    As part of the upgrade, new drainage pipes will be installed along both sides of the street, while the aging concrete main drain that currently runs down the center of the road will be fully removed and replaced. The project also includes renovation of the inspection manhole at the intersection of Jodenbreestraat and Domineestraat, alongside the replacement of all street gullies and the re-paving of the road shoulders.

    The construction team has encountered unforeseen challenges since work began, Wongsoredjo confirmed. Utility cables and pipelines owned by local public service providers run through the road shoulders at multiple points, requiring careful planning to avoid damage during excavation. Additionally, workers found a layer of clay embedded in the original road foundation. “This clay layer has to be completely removed, because it can cause the road to sink under heavy traffic over time,” Wongsoredjo said. Despite these extra hurdles, he remains confident the project will be completed within the original scheduled timeline.

    The contractor ruled out shifting major work to evening and overnight hours as a solution to reduce daytime disruption. Because the main concrete drainage pipe runs directly under the full width of the existing road surface, the entire street must be excavated, leaving it impassable during daytime work even if construction is spread across different shifts. Tjongalanga NV is working closely with three major local utility providers – water company SWM, power firm EBS, and telecommunications provider Telesur – to coordinate work around existing infrastructure and avoid service outages for local residents and businesses.

    The Domineestraat rehabilitation is part of a wider national road infrastructure upgrade program across Suriname. Two inner city streets, Watermolenstraat and Van Idsingastraat, have already been completed under the program, with upgrades to Schmeltzweg and the left section of Tout Lui Fautkanaalweg scheduled to follow after the Domineestraat work concludes.

  • Dominica becomes first CARICOM country to generate power from Its own geothermal resources

    Dominica becomes first CARICOM country to generate power from Its own geothermal resources

    The small Caribbean island nation of Dominica has etched its name in regional energy history, achieving a groundbreaking milestone that sets it apart among CARICOM member states: it is now the first country in the bloc to generate utility-scale electricity from its indigenous geothermal resources, marking a major leap forward in its sweeping national renewable energy transition. This landmark achievement was formally highlighted by the Dominica government during the presentation of the 2026/2027 national budget, as the administration advances toward its ambitious long-term target of powering 100% of the country’s electricity demand through renewable energy sources. As of June 2026, already 68% of all electricity distributed by the Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) comes from clean renewable sources. Of that share, geothermal energy alone contributes 43% of total national generation, with existing hydroelectric infrastructure adding a further 25% to the clean energy grid. Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre framed the geothermal breakthrough as a transformative, foundational step that will steer the country toward long-term energy sovereignty. “Power from Dominican soil must power Dominican progress,” McIntyre stated emphatically during his budget address, underscoring the link between domestic energy production and national development. After months of rigorous technical evaluations, the new geothermal power plant has successfully completed all required reliability testing and is now on the cusp of launching full commercial operations. Over the first three months of commercial activity, the Independent Regulatory Commission will conduct continuous, comprehensive monitoring of the plant’s operational performance, while also evaluating how the introduction of geothermal power will affect end-consumer electricity prices. To support the integration of the new geothermal generation capacity into the national grid, the Dominica government has also carried out extensive upgrades to the country’s transmission infrastructure. These upgrades include modernization work on key substations located in Padu, Trafalgar and Fond Cole, alongside the installation of approximately 19 kilometers of new high-voltage transmission lines to carry power from the geothermal plant to population centers. Despite the progress already delivered, the administration is already turning its attention to expanding the country’s clean energy footprint beyond the current geothermal project. Government energy officials are currently conducting exploratory assessments of additional geothermal resource prospects across the island, including promising potential sites in northern Dominica. Parallel to this exploration, the government is also investigating technical upgrades to boost the hydroelectric output of the existing Roseau Valley reservoirs. McIntyre emphasized that while geothermal energy will not deliver an immediate elimination of all cost components in consumers’ monthly electricity bills, it will significantly reduce the country’s vulnerability to volatile swings in global fossil fuel prices, a major source of economic instability for many small island developing states that rely heavily on imported fuel for power generation.

  • Dominica gov’t defends CBI amid international pressure, but says economy must diversify

    Dominica gov’t defends CBI amid international pressure, but says economy must diversify

    Against a backdrop of growing international pressure on citizenship-by-investment (CBI) initiatives worldwide, the Government of Dominica has publicly defended the value of its own CBI programme while openly signaling that economic diversification will be the cornerstone of the island nation’s long-term growth strategy.

    Delivering the 2026/2027 Budget Address to parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre laid out the transformative impact CBI revenues have had on Dominica’s development trajectory over recent years. He emphasized that proceeds from the programme have emerged as a foundational funding source for nearly every critical sector of the country’s public life, including affordable housing for local families, upgraded healthcare facilities, new primary and secondary schools, agricultural development initiatives, expanded road networks, small business support and climate-resilient infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather events.

    The importance of CBI funding became particularly acute in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a catastrophic storm that left total damage and economic losses equivalent to 226 percent of Dominica’s annual gross domestic product. McIntyre explained that when the disaster struck, accumulated CBI funds filled an urgent gap: while the country waited for international external grants and aid to be coordinated and disbursed, CBI revenues allowed the government to immediately restore critical public services and rebuild damaged core infrastructure.

    Against this record of tangible progress, McIntyre argued that any fair assessment of Dominica’s recent development cannot ignore the programme’s outsized contributions. “There should be no apology for homes built for Dominican families, for health facilities, schools, roads and resilient communities,” he told lawmakers.

    At the same time, the Dominica government does not shy away from acknowledging shifting global attitudes toward investor citizenship programmes. In recent months, operators of these schemes have faced mounting international scrutiny, particularly after the European Union revised its visa-suspension framework, a change that has increased pressure on small island nations running CBI initiatives.

    Rather than responding to this new regulatory environment with confrontation, Dominica has committed to a path of collaborative engagement. “We do not dismiss that development or answer it with hostility. We will answer through constructive dialogue,” McIntyre said. The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest global standards for the programme, promising to maintain rigorous due diligence checks for all applicants, transparent and accountable administration, strong regulatory oversight, active information sharing and ongoing cooperation with international partners.

    Even as it defends the current value of CBI, the administration has made clear that the country cannot rely on the programme to carry its entire economic future. Long-term, the government’s core economic strategy will center on expanding and diversifying the nation’s revenue streams. “No single programme will carry the full weight of our future,” the budget document states. Going forward, assets that have been developed with CBI funding will increasingly be focused on generating sustainable local jobs, expanding exports, cutting national energy costs and creating new streams of ongoing public and private income beyond the initial CBI investment proceeds.

  • Grand Kadooment earns high praise, though some say culture took back seat

    Grand Kadooment earns high praise, though some say culture took back seat

    As the iconic climax of Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, Grand Kadooment 2026 has emerged as one of the most well-received iterations in recent memory, drawing widespread acclaim for its calm, welcoming atmosphere, high-energy celebrations, and robust attendance from both local residents and international tourists. While the overwhelming majority of attendees and vendors interviewed on-site shared positive feedback about the event’s safety and celebratory energy, a small group of long-time festival goers raised thoughtful concerns about a gradual erosion of the cultural storytelling that has long been a core part of Crop Over’s identity, sparking gentle debate over the event’s evolving nature. For Paul Yearwood, a 53-year-old lifelong supporter of Crop Over, the biggest win of this year’s Grand Kadooment was the complete absence of violent incidents, a source of huge relief following a spike in violent crime recorded earlier in the year. After skipping the past two editions due to safety worries, Yearwood said he was delighted to see large numbers of tourists joining local celebrants, even as financial constraints kept him from participating directly in the parade itself. “There were no problems, I didn’t see any violence, I didn’t see any fights, and I really enjoyed it,” he shared, echoing the sentiment of many attendees who prioritized public safety this year. Vendors along the revised parade route on President Kennedy Drive were similarly enthusiastic about how the day unfolded, with many crediting the route adjustment for boosting foot traffic and improving the overall experience. Renée Cumberbatch, a local street vendor, called the 2026 event a clear success, noting that her sales remained strong throughout the entire day and she was extremely pleased with the revised parade path. Fellow vendor Omar Pooler echoed that praise, highlighting that the positive, well-behaved energy of the crowd created a welcoming environment for everyone in attendance, whether they were native Bajans or visiting from overseas. Pooler said he already is planning to participate again next year, saying “God willing, I’m looking forward to doing it all again.” International first-time attendees were just as glowing in their reviews of the festival. Brittanie Elson and Audrianna Foster, who traveled to Barbados from Canada, said their first Crop Over experience far outshone the carnivals they had attended back home. Elson, who participated in the Monde Mass band with Foster and attended several pre-Kadooment Crop Over events over the weekend, called the event “so fun,” while Foster described the experience as absolutely unforgettable. “The vibes were high, everyone’s jumping and having fun – it’s the best time, the best, best time,” Foster said. Not all feedback centered solely on praise, however. Betty Dalrymple, who has lived outside of Barbados for 40 years, said she remained undecided about the revised parade route, noting that organizers have adjusted the path multiple times in recent years. While she acknowledged that practical concerns should guide route planning, she said she still prefers the original traditional route that started at the National Stadium, if road conditions allow for it. More pointed criticism came from Patricia Yearwood, who focused her concerns on the shifting identity of the festival’s costume design. Yearwood praised veteran costume designers like Henderson Jones, who creates the iconic Betty West costumes that have long centered clear cultural narratives. But she argued that most modern costumes today prioritize revealing designs over the traditional cultural storytelling that once defined Crop Over’s parade. “For me, growing up in Barbados, it used to be something cultural where you depicted a story, a piece of our history,” she explained. “I don’t find it depicts anything anymore.” Despite these scattered concerns about the event’s evolution, the overwhelming consensus among those on the ground was that Grand Kadooment 2026 delivered a fun, safe, memorable finale to the 2026 Crop Over festival, balancing modern popularity with ongoing conversations about preserving its traditional roots.

  • Independent Senators Oppose BTL’s Approval of SMART Acquisition

    Independent Senators Oppose BTL’s Approval of SMART Acquisition

    In a dramatic display of opposition on August 4, 2026, all four independent senators of Belize have publicly challenged and walked out of a Senate sitting in Belmopan to protest the greenlight given to Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) for its planned $80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, better known as SMART. The bipartisan group of lawmakers — Kevin Herrera, Louis Wade, Glenfield Dennison, and Janelle Chanona — released a formal joint statement outlining their deep-seated concerns over the proposed merger, which they say carry unresolved risks for Belize’s legal framework and competitive telecommunications market. The independent senators have aligned their position with a broad coalition of domestic stakeholders, including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), and the country’s parliamentary Opposition. All these groups have raised persistent questions about three core aspects of the transaction: its legal standing, the accuracy of SMART’s $80 million valuation, and the long-term consequences for industry competition. A central argument from the senators is that the completed acquisition would create an effective monopoly in Belize’s telecommunications sector, a outcome that directly violates Section 42(4) of the nation’s existing Telecommunications Act. The lawmakers stressed that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the country’s independent regulatory body for public utilities, has a non-negotiable legal obligation to conduct a full, transparent merger review before any transaction can move forward. This mandatory review is particularly critical, they noted, because the acquisition would restructure existing shareholdings in the telecommunications market and reshape competitive dynamics for all consumers and businesses operating in the sector. Beyond competition and legality concerns, the independent senators have also called into question the rushed timing of the proposed sale. They warned that pushing to finalize the transaction while core legal questions remain unaddressed puts the entire validity of the deal at legal risk, setting a problematic precedent for regulatory compliance in the country. The protest came to a head during Wednesday afternoon’s Senate sitting in the capital city of Belmopan, where all four independent senators exited the chamber in a coordinated walkout to demonstrate their formal opposition to BTL’s approval of the acquisition plan. This high-profile protest marks a significant escalation in tensions over the proposed merger, drawing national attention to the growing bipartisan and cross-sector pushback against what critics describe as a non-compliant, anti-competitive transaction that would harm Belizean consumers and small businesses.

  • BTL Board Greenlights $80M SMART Acquisition Plan

    BTL Board Greenlights $80M SMART Acquisition Plan

    On August 4, 2026, the Board of Directors of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) gave formal approval to move forward with a planned $80 million acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Speednet, which operates under the SMART brand. The green light from the board is not final, however, as it remains contingent on two key conditions: the successful completion of ongoing due diligence reviews, and the final negotiation of binding contractual terms including representations, warranties, and other legal protections for BTL as the purchasing party.

    BTL has framed the proposed transaction as a transformative strategic investment that will lay stronger groundwork for Belize’s long-term digital development. Company officials emphasize that the merger will eliminate wasteful overlapping telecommunications infrastructure across the country, while also allowing the combined entity to expand affordable connectivity services to underserved rural communities. Critically, BTL has stressed that the $80 million purchase will not require any external borrowing, nor will it demand additional capital investment from the Social Security Board (SSB), BTL’s major stakeholder. This confirmation was corroborated by SSB Chair Dr. Sheree Smiling-Craig, who clarified that the public social security fund will not inject new funds into BTL to support the deal.

    Over the course of two months, SSB carried out an in-depth independent review of the acquisition’s potential benefits and risks. According to Smiling-Craig, the fund’s analysis concluded that the transaction has strong potential to reinforce BTL’s competitive standing in Belize’s telecommunications market, and ultimately boost the long-term value of SSB’s existing stake – a benefit that will flow to the fund’s contributors and beneficiaries. Based on BTL’s current financial projections, the acquisition has an estimated discounted payback period of roughly 4.2 years, meaning the company expects to recoup its full investment in under four and a half years. Moving forward, BTL has stated it remains dedicated to maintaining open, constructive dialogue with the national government, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and all other industry stakeholders as the deal progresses through the next phases of review and negotiation.

    Despite BTL and SSB’s confidence in the transaction, the board’s approval has drawn sharp pushback from two major Belizean organizations: the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB). Both groups have raised repeated concerns about multiple aspects of the proposed acquisition, including the rigor and transparency of the financial due diligence process, the potential negative impact on market competition in Belize’s telecommunications sector, and the failure to conduct broader public consultation with affected parties ahead of the board’s vote. NTUCB President Ella Waight made the union’s position clear in comments ahead of the board’s decision, stating that no outcome of the vote would alter the group’s opposition. “The overall finalised decision has to be no,” Waight said.

  • Top cop hails ‘safest Kadooment Day’

    Top cop hails ‘safest Kadooment Day’

    Barbados’ iconic Crop Over festival reached its long-awaited, high-energy climax on Kadooment Day this year, marking the first major public festival managed under newly appointed Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce. In a post-event statement, Boyce celebrated that the day closed with zero recorded violent incidents or major disruptions, an outcome she credited to both responsible public behavior and robust, collaborative security planning.

    Commissioner Boyce extended public recognition to both local Barbadians and international travelers who took part in the festivities, noting that widespread public cooperation was a core pillar of the event’s safety. Beyond public conduct, she highlighted that the incident-free outcome grew out of months of detailed preparation, intentionally high-visibility law enforcement deployment, and unprecedented cross-agency coordination between national security bodies.

    “I am pleased to share that Grand Kadooment was concluded without any major incidents,” Commissioner Boyce confirmed in her official remarks. “As Commissioner of Police, I am proud of the way Barbadians and visitors conducted themselves throughout the day, and of the strong partnership among our security services that helped keep everyone safe.”

    To secure the sprawling parade route stretching from Princess Alice Highway to Mighty Grynner Highway, law enforcement implemented a multi-layered security strategy that combined traditional on-the-ground policing with cutting-edge surveillance technology. Thousands of uniformed officers were stationed at regular intervals along the entire parade path, ensuring a constant visible presence designed to deter potential unrest and allow for immediate intervention if needed.

    Meanwhile, centralized command centers leveraged an expansive network of closed-circuit television cameras and aerial drone surveillance to maintain real-time, full-coverage situational awareness across the entire event zone. These digital and aerial monitoring tools were complemented by strategically placed security checkpoints for targeted screening, dedicated teams to manage rerouted traffic flow, and rapid-response tactical units positioned to address any emerging disruptions within minutes.

    Boyce placed particular emphasis on the joint operations model that brought multiple national security bodies together, especially in high-density crowd zones along the parade that have historically posed management challenges. “From the outset, my team and I placed great emphasis on careful planning, high visibility policing, traffic management, closed-circuit television and drone monitoring, checkpoint screening, rapid response capacity, medical support, and close coordination with the Barbados Defence Force,” she explained.

    BDF soldiers deployed alongside civilian police to strengthen response capacity and maintain order across the parade route, with extra focus placed on traditional bottleneck areas that regularly see extreme crowd pressure during the festival. “BDF soldiers worked side by side with the Barbados Police Service to strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and maintain public order across the route,” Boyce noted.

    The tight access controls required to manage the massive event unavoidably disrupted regular traffic and local movement for residents and businesses located along the parade route. Commissioner Boyce publicly thanked local property owners, business operators, and residents for their patience and cooperation as they navigated pass-based entry restrictions and mandatory security checkpoints.

    “Our officers, together with our partners from the Barbados Defence Force and the emergency services, worked closely with residents and businesses along the route to manage authorised movement… and to minimise inconvenience wherever possible,” Boyce said. “I know this requires patience and understanding, and I am grateful to all who cooperated with these arrangements.”

    Looking beyond the festival, Commissioner Boyce argued that the collaborative operational framework that delivered a safe Grand Kadooment offers a replicable model for improving everyday national public safety across Barbados. “What we achieved today is a reminder of what is possible when national celebration is marked by public discipline, respect for lawful directions, and genuine partnership,” Boyce said. “I see clearly that this kind of partnership is essential to keeping Barbados safe, not only during major events, but every day.”

    She closed her statement by extending gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful event, including festival revelers, band leaders, street vendors, emergency medical personnel, and frontline law enforcement officers, whose combined dedication delivered both a secure and memorable celebration for all attendees.

  • Got a Traffic Fine Text? Read This Before You Pay that Fine

    Got a Traffic Fine Text? Read This Before You Pay that Fine

    In a recent public advisory issued on August 4, 2026, the Belize Police Department has issued an urgent warning to local residents over a widespread cyber scam involving fake traffic fine notifications delivered via text message and online platforms.

    According to the official statement, the fraudulent messages falsely claim to originate from the Belize Police Department, alerting recipients that they have committed an unrecorded traffic violation. The scam messages pressure targets into making immediate payments through a third-party website, attaching harsh false threats that non-compliance will result in driver’s license suspension or further legal action.

    Law enforcement has emphasized explicitly that the department never issued any such communications, and the entire scheme is a coordinated fraud attempt by cybercriminals. To trick victims into sharing sensitive data, criminals have built fake websites designed to closely replicate the look and functionality of official Belizean government online portals, making the scam difficult to distinguish from legitimate notices for the average user.

    To protect the public from financial loss and identity theft, the Belize Police Department has outlined clear, actionable steps for anyone who receives one of these suspicious messages. First, recipients are instructed not to respond to the fraudulent text or click any embedded links, which could deliver malware to personal devices or lead directly to the fake scam portal. Second, under no circumstances should individuals submit any payments through the website listed in the message. Third, all official traffic violation notices should only be verified through authenticated, official channels run by the Government of Belize to confirm their legitimacy. Finally, anyone who receives a suspicious text or encounters this scam is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement immediately to help authorities track and shut down the criminal operation.

    Cybersecurity experts note that this type of government impersonation scam has grown in popularity globally, as criminals exploit public trust in law enforcement to pressure quick, unthinking actions from targets. The Belize Police Department’s warning comes as part of ongoing efforts to educate the public about emerging cyber threats and prevent vulnerable residents from falling victim to financial fraud.

  • CPL to launch free health screenings for fans at 8 host venues

    CPL to launch free health screenings for fans at 8 host venues

    The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), one of the region’s most popular annual sporting events, has launched a unique public health initiative ahead of its upcoming season, partnering with local and regional health agencies to bring free non-communicable disease (NCD) screenings to fans at every tournament venue. All eight host stadiums for this season’s matches, including the well-known Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, will host on-site testing clinics staffed by qualified health professionals throughout the competition, giving cricket fans access to preventive care while they enjoy the sport. NCDs are recognized as one of the most pressing public health challenges across the Caribbean, where rates of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes remain disproportionately high compared to global averages. This screening program is a core part of the league’s long-term commitment to supporting regional public health efforts to address this crisis. The free screenings available to interested fans cover a wide range of key health metrics, including blood pressure measurement, blood glucose testing to flag diabetes risk, Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, urinalysis, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer risk. In a statement explaining the importance of the new initiative, CPL Chief Executive Officer Pete Russell emphasized that the burden of NCDs extends across the entire Caribbean community. “Non-communicable diseases have touched almost every one of us in some way, whether as patients ourselves or through a loved one,” Russell said. “Being a good corporate citizen means using the platform we’ve built for something bigger than the game itself. Early detection is key to combating non-communicable diseases – this programme puts that principle into practice.” Russell added that the league’s broad regional reach comes with a corresponding social responsibility to contribute to community well-being. “CPL reaches fans in eight territories every season, and we believe that reach comes with a responsibility to give back. Bringing health screening into our stadiums is a simple and practical way to act on that responsibility,” he explained. Public health experts across the region have previously highlighted that improving access to routine preventive screenings is one of the most effective ways to reduce NCD-related illness and death, as early intervention can drastically improve patient outcomes for most chronic conditions.