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标签： Dominica

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  • Sagicor to host virtual ‘Mom’s Masterclass’ webinar in celebration of mothers

    Sagicor to host virtual ‘Mom’s Masterclass’ webinar in celebration of mothers

    As Mother’s Day approaches across the Caribbean, leading regional financial and wellness-focused institution Sagicor is expanding its annual holiday programming with a purpose-driven virtual initiative designed to lift up and support women in their roles as mothers.

    Scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM, the brand-new interactive online event, dubbed “Mom’s Masterclass,” will bring together a multi-disciplinary panel of experts to unpack the most pressing topics facing modern mothers navigating work, family, and personal growth. According to an official press announcement from the company, the panel discussion will cover a wide range of actionable topics, from children’s health management and evidence-based contemporary parenting strategies to maternal self-care and long-term personal financial wellness.

    This accessible, no-cost webinar forms part of Sagicor’s long-standing regional commitment to advancing public wellness, strengthening family units, and expanding financial empowerment for women across the Caribbean. Unlike one-off holiday greetings or promotional gestures, the company designed the event to deliver tangible, ongoing value to mothers, emphasizing that support for maternal well-being should not be limited to a single annual observance.

    The diverse speaker lineup brings together professional insight from across multiple sectors to address mothers’ varied needs. Confirmed panelists include Nicole McClaren-Campbell, a best-selling author, successful entrepreneur and prominent digital content creator; Dr. Maria Chase, a board-certified practicing pediatrician; Carolyn Shepherd, Assistant Vice President of Digital and Alternate Channels at Sagicor Life Inc; Renee Ottley, Senior Manager of Investments and Wealth Management at Sagicor Investments Trinidad and Tobago Limited; and Kizzy Flood, a seasoned Sagicor Advisor with Sagicor Life (Eastern Caribbean) Inc.

    Organizers note that the conversation will be structured to deliver practical, actionable guidance, real-world lived experience insights, and much-needed encouragement for mothers balancing the competing demands of parenting, professional careers, household finances, and their own personal health and well-being. To add an element of celebration to the occasion, attendees who join the live session will also be entered to win special giveaways and prizes.

    The company encourages all interested individuals to register for the event in advance to reserve their spot, as virtual capacity is limited. Full registration details and additional updates about the “Mom’s Masterclass” are posted now across all of Sagicor’s official social media channels.

  • CARPHA expands regional diagnostic capacity with Molbio Rapid Testing rollout across 10 countries

    CARPHA expands regional diagnostic capacity with Molbio Rapid Testing rollout across 10 countries

    A landmark public health initiative has reached a major milestone across the Caribbean, with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) confirming the full rollout of Molbio rapid diagnostic testing platforms to 10 of its member states. Funded under the global Pandemic Fund Project, this deployment marks a substantial upgrade to the region’s ability to identify and contain infectious diseases that carry pandemic potential.

    According to an official media statement from CARPHA released in 2026, installation of the new systems was completed by March 26 across all participating nations: Dominica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

    Unlike conventional testing tools, the newly installed platforms are engineered to deliver rapid molecular testing for a broad spectrum of high-risk pathogens that threaten public health across the region. The covered pathogens include SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, rabies, leptospira, salmonella, cholera, nipah virus, influenza, malaria, HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. CARPHA officials emphasize that the technology drastically expands access to PCR-accurate diagnostics, equipping individual nations to bolster disease surveillance and mount faster responses to newly emerging health risks.

    Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA, framed the completed rollout as a transformative leap forward for the region’s laboratory infrastructure. “The successful completion of the Molbio installations across our Member States represents a transformative step in advancing regional laboratory capacity,” Indar said. “By combining cutting-edge diagnostic technology with targeted workforce training, CARPHA is ensuring that countries are better prepared to detect, respond to and manage public health threats in real time.”

    Beyond hardware installation, the initiative includes targeted capacity-building to ensure long-term functionality. More than 50 laboratory staff from participating countries have already completed specialized hands-on training to operate the new systems. This training component is designed to strengthen national laboratory networks and ensure the new technology delivers sustained benefits for years to come.

    The urgency of rapid deployment during crises was already put to the test ahead of the full regional rollout. CARPHA highlighted Jamaica’s experience in the wake of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, where the platform was installed and local staff were trained in just days. This allowed critical diagnostic services to continue operating uninterrupted through the aftermath of the storm, when public health risks often spike.

    One of the most impactful improvements brought by the new technology is a drastic reduction in testing turnaround times. Where conventional PCR testing previously required several days to deliver results, the Molbio platforms produce accurate data in under two hours. This accelerated timeline enables faster clinical diagnosis, quicker isolation of infected individuals, and far more effective outbreak containment. Regional public health officials expect the faster turnaround to drastically improve early detection of emerging outbreaks and support more targeted, effective public health interventions across the Caribbean.

    The deployment also advances long-standing regional health security goals, including stronger cross-border disease surveillance, faster outbreak response, more robust early warning systems, and greater overall resilience for national health systems across the Caribbean.

    Looking forward, CARPHA has confirmed that routine diagnostic testing will begin immediately in all 10 participating countries. Participating nations will submit weekly testing data to CARPHA through the Molbio integrated reporting system, and this data will be aggregated into regional surveillance networks to support continuous monitoring and faster coordinated responses to any new emerging health threats.

    CARPHA reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to strengthening regional laboratory systems through the Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network, noting that continued investment in infrastructure and training will remain a priority to boost preparedness and response capacity across every corner of the region.

  • DFA appoints Vladimir Corbette as competitions manager ahead of upcoming domestic seasons

    DFA appoints Vladimir Corbette as competitions manager ahead of upcoming domestic seasons

    The Dominica Football Association (DFA) has made two key announcements for the local football community: the appointment of a new senior administrator and confirmation that the 2026 seasons of two of the nation’s top men’s and women’s competitions are right around the corner.

    In a recent official statement, the governing body for football in Dominica revealed that Vladimir Corbette will step into the newly opened role of Competitions Manager. Tasked with overseeing all competitive activity run under the DFA’s umbrella, Corbette will take ownership of the end-to-end administration and coordination of every sanctioned tournament across the island nation. His core remit includes ensuring that all league and cup competitions operate seamlessly, from preliminary planning through to final execution, maintaining consistent standards for all participating teams, players and match officials.

    The DFA used the announcement to extend formal congratulations to Corbette on his appointment, and publicly conveyed its full confidence in his ability to deliver on the requirements of the position and drive positive improvements to the country’s competitive football landscape. The association did not share further details on the length of Corbette’s contract or his professional background in the official press release.

    Alongside the leadership appointment, the DFA confirmed that the new seasons of its two top men’s and women’s competitions – the men’s First Division and the Women’s Premier League – will kick off in the near future. At this early stage, the governing body has not released full operational details for the upcoming seasons, including match schedules, host venues, and final confirmed rosters for participating teams. A spokesperson for the DFA noted that additional information will be published in the coming weeks once all final preparations are completed.

  • PAHO announces regional agreement to secure pandemic influenza vaccines for Latin America and the Caribbean

    PAHO announces regional agreement to secure pandemic influenza vaccines for Latin America and the Caribbean

    Against the backdrop of ongoing global circulation of high-risk zoonotic viruses such as avian influenza, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a landmark public-private partnership with Australian pharmaceutical firm CSL Seqirus to strengthen pandemic preparedness across Latin America and the Caribbean, ensuring more equitable and timely access to pandemic influenza vaccines when the next public health emergency strikes.

    At the core of the new agreement is a pre-negotiated dose allocation mechanism that earmarks a fixed portion of CSL Seqirus’ global pandemic influenza vaccine production exclusively for participating PAHO member states. If a pandemic is declared, participating nations will immediately gain access to an initial pre-reserved pool of doses, eliminating the chaotic bidding wars and supply shortages that left many regions scrambling for vaccines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This framework is built directly on hard-won lessons from the global COVID-19 crisis, which exposed deep gaps in regional preparedness and global vaccine equity, particularly for middle-income countries.

    To add resilience to the regional supply chain, partial vaccine manufacturing will take place locally in Argentina in collaboration with domestic biotech firm Sinergium Biotech. This arrangement not only brings production closer to end users but also supports long-term growth of regional biomanufacturing capacity, a key priority identified in post-COVID-19 public health reforms. CSL Seqirus will lead global development of pandemic influenza vaccines and support technology transfer to regional partners, drawing on the company’s decades of specialized expertise in influenza research and large-scale vaccine production.

    PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa emphasized that the agreement marks a transformative shift for regional health security. “This agreement is a direct response to the hard lessons of COVID-19 and a major step forward in strengthening health security and pandemic preparedness across the Americas,” Barbosa said. “Through our Regional Revolving Funds, countries are joining forces to secure a reserved share of vaccine production, helping protect those at risk when it matters most.”

    Barbosa added that for the first time, countries across the Americas are approaching future pandemic response as a unified bloc rather than fragmented individual markets, putting the region on far more equal footing with wealthy nations that typically outcompete lower and middle-income countries for limited global vaccine supplies. By pooling collective demand through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, participating countries can negotiate better terms and ensure access even when global demand surges.

    David Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager at CSL Seqirus, called the partnership a model for proactive pandemic preparedness. “This agreement puts pandemic preparedness best practices into action, bringing together reserved doses, regional manufacturing capability, and a long-term public-private commitment,” Ross said. “We’re proud to establish this kind of partnership in Latin America and the Caribbean for the first time.”

    Alejandro Gil, President and CEO of Sinergium Biotech, noted that the deal builds on more than a decade of collaboration between his firm, PAHO, and CSL Seqirus. Fifteen years of investment in infrastructure and workforce development have now positioned Sinergium to deliver high-quality vaccines to the region, aligning with PAHO’s regional public health strategies. “For Sinergium, it is a source of pride to be able to contribute in such a significant way to public health in the region,” Gil said.

    The agreement, which followed a full year of negotiations and an international competitive procurement process, addresses a longstanding structural gap that has disadvantaged middle-income countries during global health crises. These nations often lack the purchasing power to secure early vaccine access from manufacturers, but are also excluded from the emergency support programs offered to the world’s poorest countries.

    When a pandemic does occur, dose allocation from the reserved pool will be guided by real-time epidemiological data and formal risk assessments, with high-priority access guaranteed to the most vulnerable populations. PAHO officials stressed that this framework shifts the region from a reactive crisis response model to a proactive, pre-planned system that can cut through supply chain delays and global competition to deliver doses when they are needed most.

    Public health experts have repeatedly identified animal-borne influenza viruses as one of the highest-risk pathogens for triggering the next global pandemic, making proactive preparedness for a pandemic influenza event a top global health priority. PAHO officials noted that this new agreement sets a precedent for regional cooperation that could be replicated in other parts of the world to improve global pandemic preparedness overall.

  • Skerrit links rising fuel costs to international conflict, highlights geothermal energy benefits

    Skerrit links rising fuel costs to international conflict, highlights geothermal energy benefits

    In a recent press briefing addressing growing economic pressure on Dominican households, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has traced the sharp spike in domestic fuel prices to the ongoing geopolitical conflict between the US, Iran and Israel, while crediting the country’s emerging geothermal energy project with preventing even more dramatic electricity cost increases for consumers.

    Skerrit outlined the timeline of price increases, noting that when the conflict erupted on February 28, 2026, gasoline retailed at $14.96 per gallon and diesel stood at $13.84 per gallon on the island. In the months following the conflict’s start, global crude oil markets have seen a dramatic upward swing, sending ripple effects through fuel markets worldwide and reaching local consumers in Dominica directly.

    “Since that date, global crude prices have jumped more than 30 percent, which has driven local pump prices up to $17.98 per gallon for gasoline — a 20.2 percent increase — and $20.53 per gallon for diesel as of May 7 this year,” Skerrit told reporters. He added that American consumers have faced even steeper jumps, with some reports showing domestic fuel prices in the U.S. rising as much as 50 percent since the conflict began.

    The prime minister openly acknowledged the intense financial strain that elevated fuel costs are placing on everyday Dominican families, admitting that the current price of diesel is an enormous burden for households. Crucially, he noted that the island nation has no control over global geopolitical developments or international commodity prices that drive these increases.

    To cushion the blow for consumers, the Dominican government has maintained fuel subsidies, but Skerrit explained that this policy is putting unsustainable new pressure on the country’s national budget. The government is already facing rising operating costs across critical public sectors, including schools, hospitals, and general public services, alongside ongoing recovery and reconstruction work following devastating floods that hit the island’s eastern and northeastern regions in April.

    With diesel prices climbing 48 percent since February and global crude markets expected to remain volatile through the rest of 2026, Skerrit emphasized that fuel subsidies have become a growing drain on public finances. This budget pressure, in turn, limits the government’s ability to allocate funding to other core priorities: public health, education, infrastructure expansion, and ongoing disaster recovery.

    In response to this balancing act, the prime minister announced that the government will implement monthly reviews of fuel pricing and subsidy policy, aiming to strike a sustainable balance between protecting consumers from sudden price shocks and maintaining responsible long-term fiscal management for the country.

    Turning to a bright spot in the island’s energy landscape, Skerrit highlighted the critical role that Dominica’s investment in geothermal energy is already playing, even before the new geothermal power plant holds its official commissioning. The project is already supplying power to the national grid, and the prime minister said this domestic renewable capacity has insulated the country from far steeper increases in electricity prices.

    “If we had not moved forward with geothermal development — even though the plant is not yet officially open, we have been drawing geothermal power for some time — every Dominican would be facing massive jumps in their electricity bills right now because of the war,” Skerrit explained. He noted that the Dominican electricity utility DOMLEC would otherwise rely almost entirely on imported diesel for power generation, leaving electricity prices directly tied to volatile global oil markets.

    Looking forward, Skerrit reaffirmed that the government’s sustained investment of time and funding into geothermal development is a strategic move to strengthen Dominica’s long-term energy security and cut the country’s exposure to unpredictable swings in global crude oil prices. “We understand fully why the government has dedicated so many resources to advancing geothermal,” he added.

  • WEATHER (6:00 AM, May 13, 2026):

    WEATHER (6:00 AM, May 13, 2026):

    Over the next full day, stable atmospheric conditions will remain the primary driver of regional weather, shaped by a persistent high-pressure system that anchors the overall pattern. As fragmented cloud masses drift with prevailing wind currents, the sky will range from partially overcast to fully cloudy, accompanied by scattered rain showers. Some of these showers may intensify into moderate or even heavy downpours, with the highest concentrations forecast for early morning hours and overnight. For residents living in zones prone to flash flooding, mudslides, and falling rock debris, local weather officials urge constant vigilance and proactive safety measures to avoid risk.

    Later this evening, the region will also see a thin, diffuse plume of dust carried from the Sahara Desert reach the island. While the concentration is not expected to be severe, individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions or heightened sensitivity to airborne particulates are advised to take appropriate protective steps, such as limiting prolonged outdoor exposure and keeping indoor air filtered.

    Looking at marine conditions, wave heights will stay relatively mild through most of the next 24 hours, ranging from small to moderate across surrounding waters. Off the eastern coastline, waves are projected to build to a maximum of 7 feet, while the western coast will see calmer swells averaging around 3 feet. However, overnight tonight, sea conditions will deteriorate slightly: eastern coast waves are expected to climb to nearly 8 feet, and western coast swells will rise to roughly 5 feet. Operators of small recreational and commercial vessels, as well as people planning to swim in open waters, are advised to maintain extra caution and avoid venturing too far from shore.

    In a separate update on broader Atlantic tropical activity, meteorologists are continuing to track a third tropical wave that is currently moving across the eastern portion of the tropical Atlantic. No immediate development has been projected for the system at this time, but monitoring remains ongoing to track any changes in its strength or trajectory.

  • Dominica police officers complete advanced drill and ceremonial training in Barbados

    Dominica police officers complete advanced drill and ceremonial training in Barbados

    Two officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) have marked a major professional milestone after wrapping up a rigorous seven-week specialized training program on the neighboring island of Barbados, bringing home distinguished awards and a rare opportunity for further advancement.

    Sergeant Sherwin Mitchel and Acting Corporal Tyron Sandy were among 43 trainees selected to take part in the All Arms Advanced Drill and Ceremonial Drill Instructors Course, a regional training initiative that brought together uniformed personnel from across 10 different Caribbean nations and territories. The participating groups spanned a wide range of public safety and national security institutions, including the Barbados Defence Force Regiment, Barbados Coast Guard, Barbados Police Service, Barbados Fire Service, Barbados Prison Service, Barbados Youth Advance Corps, as well as police and defense forces from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada alongside the CDPF contingent.

    The curriculum of the course follows the long-established British Drill System, a framework widely adopted by uniformed services across Commonwealth nations. When the program concluded with a graduation assessment, both Mitchel and Sandy stood out among their peers to earn the Distinguished Drill Instructors Medal, one of the highest recognitions available to graduates of the system.

    Beyond the individual awards for the two officers, Sergeant Mitchel earned an additional distinction: course organizers formally recommended him to return to Barbados to serve as a Senior Drill Instructor for future iterations of the All Arms Advanced and Ceremonial Drill Courses. If he takes up the posting, the role will put him on a path to qualify for two further prestigious honors: the Senior Drill Instructors Medal and membership in the elite White Cap Band.

    In an official statement released following the graduation, leadership of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force extended formal congratulations to both officers on their standout performance. The CDPF emphasized that the achievements of Mitchel and Sandy are a direct reflection of the force’s ongoing institutional commitment to continuous professional development and high-quality training for all personnel, boosting standards of service across the organization.

  • PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    Early on the morning of May 6, 2026, a large overnight fire broke out in the capital city of Roseau, Dominica, leaving a trail of widespread destruction across multiple city structures. The blaze has displaced dozens of local families and erased the primary livelihoods of small business owners in the affected area, marking the second major fire to hit the city in just a few months – a pattern that senior government officials have labeled deeply alarming. In a press briefing shortly after the incident, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly reaffirmed the Dominican government’s unwavering solidarity with all those impacted by the disaster. “To the families and businesses affected, the government of Dominica stands firmly with you. We understand the trauma and uncertainty that come with such devastating loss,” Skerrit stated. He confirmed that all relevant government social support agencies have already been mobilized to deliver immediate emergency aid to impacted households, ensuring no affected person goes without critical assistance during this challenging period. Addressing growing public concern over the repeated fire incidents, Skerrit emphasized that the emerging dangerous trend cannot be overlooked by his administration. “This is the second significant fire in the city within a very short span of time. That is not something any responsible government can ignore or dismiss. It is a matter that demands urgent and serious attention and investigation,” he added. While initial on-site investigations have already launched, the Prime Minister announced his government will mandate a full, independent and comprehensive inquiry into both recent fires, covering root causes, surrounding circumstances, and all contributing factors that may have allowed the incidents to occur. “We owe that to the affected families, the business community, and every citizen who calls Roseau home,” Skerrit said. Beyond the investigation, the Prime Minister outlined plans to overhaul the capital’s fire safety framework, including strengthening existing regulations, ramping up enforcement of fire codes, and implementing new preventive measures to better protect residents’ lives and property moving forward. He also offered public praise for the Dominican Fire and Ambulance Services, which quickly launched a public outreach campaign to educate residents and business owners on fire prevention, best safety practices, and emergency response preparedness in the wake of the blaze. “The government remains committed to the safety, security, and well-being of every citizen and resident of this country. And I assure all of you that we will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Skerrit asserted. Alongside updates on the Roseau fire response, the Prime Minister also provided a progress report on recovery efforts for communities in eastern and northeastern Dominica impacted by a recent trough-driven weather system that triggered flooding and landslides across the island starting April 27. Skerrit reaffirmed that the government would stand with all affected families and communities until full recovery is completed, and extended thanks to emergency personnel, community volunteers, and public workers for their round-the-clock response efforts. Official impact assessments have confirmed severe damage to communities across Atkinson, Antrizle, Salybia, Sineku, Bataka, Crayfish River, St Cyr, Gullet River, Mahaut River, Concord, Marigot, Wesley, Dipax, Tranto, San Sauveur, Petite Soufriere, and Morpo. On infrastructure recovery, Skerrit reported that work crews have already cleared all blocked roadways from landslide debris, restoring primary access to cut-off communities. Priority work has focused on repairing the Calixte Bridge and key road links connecting Castle Bruce, San Sauveur, and the Kalinago Territory, which were among the hardest hit areas. For households damaged by the weather event, Skerrit stated that damage assessments for compromised properties in the Atkinson area are nearly complete, and coordination is underway through local government bodies to deliver temporary housing support and construction materials for rebuilding. Utility provider DOMLEC and water authority DOWASCO have also made significant progress restoring critical services, with power and water access already restored to nearly all affected areas, with only small isolated locations still undergoing active repairs. Skerrit commended the two agencies for their extraordinarily fast response to the outages. Agricultural ministry teams are currently conducting on-the-ground surveys to document crop and livestock losses across impacted farming communities, data that will be used to design targeted relief packages for affected agricultural producers. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister announced that the Dominican Cabinet will soon review updated recovery assessments and approve additional budget allocations to speed up rebuilding work. The government’s core priorities remain unchanged: restoring safe travel access across impacted areas, supporting families displaced by both disasters, and rebuilding infrastructure to be more resilient against future extreme weather and fire risks. Skerrit also urged residents living in affected regions to remain vigilant around flood-prone waterways and unstable slopes that remain at risk of landslides as recovery work continues.

  • SiFoCol alumni association distributes EC$32,000 in scholarships and community grants

    SiFoCol alumni association distributes EC$32,000 in scholarships and community grants

    On Friday, May 8, 2026, the Dominica SiFoCol Alumni Association (DSAA) held its annual Beneficiary Handover Ceremony and Dominica State College (DSC) Scholarship Awards at the UWI Open Campus Auditorium, where the group distributed a total of EC$32,000 in student scholarships and community development grants. This initiative marks the association’s ongoing dedication to advancing educational access, empowering young Dominicans, and strengthening local communities across the island nation.

    The largest portion of funding allocated to individual learners saw EC$12,000 distributed in merit- and need-based scholarships to six currently enrolled DSC students, with each recipient receiving EC$2,000. The awards recognize not only strong academic performance but also the remarkable resilience and determination each student has displayed while pursuing higher education despite significant financial barriers. Recipients were jointly selected by DSC administrative staff and the DSAA leadership, representing a diverse cross-section of the college’s academic departments. The 2026 award recipients are Shakira Brown, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences; Kenan Nwijal, a Business Administration student concentrating in Management, Finance, and Tourism; Osani Nengen, an Auto Mechanics major; Khadisha Joseph of the Faculty of General Studies; Rishanda Henry, who is studying Paralegal Studies; and Jess Vidal, a trainee in the Primary Education program.

    In his remarks to ceremony attendees, Dr. Dumansey Eugene Zamo, Dean of Academic Affairs at DSC, offered warm congratulations to the selected students and commended the DSAA for its consistent, long-term investment in the island’s higher education sector. “Today we honor individuals who have demonstrated academic vigor and perseverance while overcoming financial challenges in pursuit of their education. Because of your contribution, many students have been given the opportunity to continue their studies with greater confidence,” Zamo said.

    Beyond supporting post-secondary students, the DSAA expanded its community outreach through its new Community Social Impact Grant Initiative, awarding two EC$10,000 grants to local non-profit organizations following a rigorous competitive selection process. The evaluation was conducted jointly by DSAA board members and the initiative’s platinum sponsors, National Bank of Dominica and Do It Center.

    The first grant recipient, Lifeline Ministries Inc., will use the funding to expand its survivor-centered support system for people across Dominica affected by gender-based violence. The organization’s programming provides critical services including emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safe accommodation placements, and 24/7 after-hours support for survivors and their dependent family members.

    The second grant was awarded to the Anse Kouanari Tourism Association Inc. for its Community and Youth-Led River Stewardship Project based in Castle Bruce. This six-month environmental initiative will engage local young people in hands-on river conservation work, native tree planting, public environmental awareness campaigns, and broader community-led sustainability efforts designed to protect the island’s critical freshwater ecosystems.

    DSAA President Wayne Liburd reflected on the long-term value of the association’s investments in people and local communities, emphasizing that the impact of these grants extends far beyond the formal award ceremony. “Meeting the individuals behind these projects reminded us that every investment in our students and communities creates impact far beyond a single event or ceremony. Their passion, commitment, and vision inspire the work we continue to do as an organization,” Liburd noted.

    Since the DSAA was formally incorporated in 2020, the alumni-led organization has built a track record of supporting cross-sector initiatives that benefit Dominicans living on the island and across the broader Caribbean region. Over the past five years, the association has donated two dialysis machines and six dialysis chairs valued at roughly US$70,000 to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, contributed US$14,000 to humanitarian relief efforts following the 2021 La Soufrière volcanic eruption in St. Vincent, sustained annual scholarship programs for DSC students, and steadily expanded its community grant portfolio to support local organizations advancing youth development and public good.

    The association’s flagship annual fundraising event, *White Sunset with a Hint of Creole*, now in its fifth consecutive year, remains the primary source of funding for all of the DSAA’s scholarship and community outreach programming. The 2026 initiative received broad support from a cross-section of corporate sponsors across Dominica. Platinum sponsors included OYO Construction and Do It Center, while gold sponsors were National Bank of Dominica and Vibes Sky Lounge. Silver sponsors included Belfast Estate Limited, Big Edge Financial, Fine Foods Inc., Legal Mart, and Flow Dominica. Bronze sponsors were Opti Precision and HHV Whitchurch Company Limited, and additional corporate sponsorship was provided by Tropic Trading, Fresh Market, and Unicom Dominica.

    Special recognition was also extended to Paul Philip, Chair of the *White Sunset with a Hint of Creole* Organizing Committee, and Valerie Honoré for their exceptional leadership and contributions that made the 2026 funding initiative possible.

  • International Nurses Day 2026

    International Nurses Day 2026

    On May 12, nurses across the Caribbean island nation of Dominica joined healthcare workers around the globe in marking International Nurses Day 2025, anchored by this year’s official theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”

    As outlined in a recent analysis published by health platform medindia.net, the 2025 theme carries a deliberate, urgent message: sustained investment in supporting, protecting, respecting, and empowering nursing professionals is non-negotiable to strengthening global healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

    A core component of nursing empowerment, the analysis stresses, is prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of nurses themselves. Nursing is an inherently high-strain occupation: long shifting schedules, chronic emotional burnout from supporting vulnerable patients, extended periods of physical standing during procedures and rounds, and constant occupational exposure to infectious and severe illnesses all combine to put nurses’ health at persistent risk. Regular preventive health screenings and routine diagnostic blood work, the report notes, are critical tools that allow nurses to track their own health status, catch emerging concerns early, and access prompt care before conditions escalate.

    The modern observance of International Nurses Day traces its roots back more than half a century. The International Council of Nurses first formalized the global celebration in 1965, and in 1974, May 12 was permanently selected as the official date to honor the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the foundational figure of modern nursing.

    Nightingale’s revolutionary work during the Crimean War redefined what nursing could be, shifting public perception from a marginalized trade to a respected professional field. By centering her practice on evidence-based patient care, strict clinical hygiene standards, and formal structured training for nursing staff, Nightingale laid the intellectual and operational groundwork for the modern nursing practices that underpin global healthcare today.

    Today’s International Nurses Day celebration honors the vast diversity of the nursing workforce, which serves across every corner of the health sector. From emergency and critical care units to maternity wards, community health clinics, pediatric practices, geriatric care facilities, preventive health programs, and mental health services, nurses work across every specialty to keep healthcare systems running. For most patients, nurses are the first and most frequent healthcare provider they interact with, making their work a direct determinant of patient comfort, treatment outcomes, trust in care, and overall safety.

    The scope of nursing work extends far beyond the clinical tasks outlined in job descriptions. On a day-to-day basis, nurses carry core responsibilities including tracking patient symptoms and vital signs, administering prescribed medications, supporting clinician treatment plans, assisting doctors during surgical and medical procedures, and educating patients on test protocols, medication management, post-treatment recovery, and therapeutic dietary adjustments. They also serve as critical emotional supports for patients and their families, providing clear, compassionate communication to reduce anxiety, help patients feel secure during illness and treatment, spot early warning signs of deteriorating health, and lead institutional and public education on infection control, hygiene, and preventive health habits.

    Beyond these technical duties, the analysis emphasizes that nursing is defined by its human core. Every day, nurses bring irreplaceable empathy, emotional resilience, sharp observational skills, and genuine compassion to patient care – qualities that no technological advancement can replicate, and that form the backbone of safe, effective healthcare.

    As Dominica joins the world in honoring the nursing workforce this International Nurses Day, the 2025 theme serves as a global reminder: empowered, supported nurses are not just a benefit to the profession – they are the foundation of a healthy, resilient future for communities everywhere.