Basseterre, St. Kitts, Nov 16, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is collaborating with the UWI Seismic Research Center to conduct critical maintenance and upgrade services on the seismic network in the Federation.
A team from the research center made up of Chief Engineering Technician, Ian Juman and Research Fellow for Instrumentation, Lloyd Lynch are on the island conducting the maintenance and upgrade.
ZIZ News cameras caught the team at the Dieppe Bay Police station on Wednesday (November 15, 2023) where they were upgrading the seismic sensors.
Mr. Lynch explained that the sensors are used to monitor earthquake activity that is associated with volcanoes.
“Every time a volcano becomes restless and is about to erupt, it sends new stuff, new molten material, into the subsurface, and that causes a small amount of swelling. It’s not discernible to the eyes, but high-precision instruments like GPS receivers can detect such swelling. Also, when the molten material is coming up in renewal of volcanic activity, the molten material break rocks and give rise to small earthquakes, which sends elastic waves outwards. And these can be picked up by the instrumentation that we are putting down there.”
He noted that these seismic sensors are placed in key locations around the volcanoes in St. Kitts and Nevis which helps to track magmatic material.
“We have one here at Dieppe Bay, there’s one at Bayfords, there’s another at Brimstone Hill, there’s one out at Turtle Beach and there are two on Nevis. So, the seismic waves propagate outwards and they’ll reach each station at different times and knowing the velocity or speed of propagation of the waves, we can triangulate and know the depth at which the rock breaking is taking place. So, you can track the ascent of magmatic material.”
Mr. Lynch described these new sensors as state-of-the-art, noting that they are able to digitize the data and send it out in real-time to the center in Trinidad.
“These new instruments, which are you could say state of the art, they can sense ground motion in three dimensions, East-West, North-South and up-down compared to the earlier instruments which only sense ground motion in an up-down direction. The other difference with these instruments is that they are totally digital, so the sensor has a digitizer which converts the information and sends it out in real time on cable and internet to Trinidad.”
The team will be wrapping up the maintenance and upgrade of these seismic sensors by the end of this week.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 27, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): The St. Kitts Meteorological Services and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Philippe, which is expected to impact the federation on the weekend.
Senior met Officer Elmo Burke give a breakdown of what persons can expect to see during the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe.
“What we are possibly going to see from the passage of Philippe is some low-grade tropical storm force conditions,” he said. “And when we talk about that we are talking about possibly winds reaching storm force conditions. At the same time we are also expecting some increased travel activity along with some accompanied with thunderstorms during the passage of tropical storm Philip.”
National Disaster Coordinator for NEMA Abdias Samuel said persons should take every precaution even though the storm is expected to pass north of the federation.
“Ensure that your drainage systems at home ensure that your roof, any areas on your house, where water may enter, where the wind may impact, that you look at reinforcing those areas to ensure that you are able to go through that process,” he said. “This are the times as well that if you are uncomfortable, you start to become aware with the critical facilities that are available by the state or by the government for the general public (such as) shelters. It’s important to know where the hospitals near you. It’s important to know the nearest police station, fire station near you, so that you can seek assistance.”
The officials say Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to pass closer to the federation than previous weather systems this year so persons should expect a stronger impact than previously experienced. As such all hurricane preparedness plans should be ready to move into action.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 06, 2021 (SKNIS): “Do Not Wait – Vaccinate” is the clarion call from health authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis as the Roll Up 2 Roll Out COVID-19 vaccination campaign hits the ten-week mark since it was launched on February 22, 2021.
Statistics revealed by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws, showed that at the close of health centres on Wednesday, April 05, 2021, some 13,283 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date. The number is 39.5 percent of the target population needed to reach herd immunity.
Also included in the aforementioned total is the 220 persons who received their second dose of the vaccine and who will be fully vaccinated in two weeks.. Among them were Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris; Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron Jr; Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy; and Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie, Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force.
CMO Laws said that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has proven to be effective.
“Once you are fully vaccinated… you would enjoy an 83 percent risk reduction in your ability to pick up COVID-19,” she said. “Let us protect ourselves from COVID-19.”
The Chief Medical Officer said that the vaccines are limited, and the present stock must be utilized before the end of June.
“Do not run out of time. Do not wait – vaccinate,” Dr. Laws said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 22, 2021 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis has shipped three more containers of relief supplies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, adding to two others that were previously shipped. St. Kitts & Nevis has proved itself to be a good Samaritan to its displaced brothers and sisters in the aftermath of ongoing eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano.
At Wednesday’s (April 21, 2021) National COVID-19 Briefing, Abdias Samuel, National Disaster Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that the supplies included bottled water, non-perishable food items, cleaning items, buckets, face masks, baby items, pet food, and personal hygiene kits.
The containers were shipped on Monday 12th April by King Ocean from St. Kitts and Tuesday 13th April by Tropical Shipping from Nevis.
“We have shipped two 40 foot containers, and three 20 foot containers with an estimated value of EC$280,000,” Mr. Samuel stated while showing solidarity with his counterparts in the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The National Disaster Coordinator added that St. Kitts & Nevis Displaced Persons Committee established with Cabinet’s approval, has begun its work.
“The committee … has already met two times to develop and put in place the necessary plans as we prepare to receive displaced persons from St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Mr. Samuel indicated.
He added that seven persons from the country have expressed an interest to relocate to St. Kitts and Nevis. As such, officials are currently establishing pre-screening criteria, health and travel protocols, as well as the relevant COVID-19 protocols required for the migrants.
Residents interested in hosting persons from St. Vincent and the Grenadines can register their desire at NEMA located at Lime Kiln Commercial Development or the Nevis Disaster Management Department at Long Point.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 15th 2021 (ZIZ News) Residents in Caribbean territories, including St. Kitts and Nevis, are being reminded of the possibility of storms, with a new 30-year “average” being introduced.
Meteorologists at the Colorado State University are predicting an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.
Locally, national coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency says to keep your guard up.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC), it will now be using a new set of data to compare tropical activity of a season to ‘average.’
Past averages were 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
Starting this year The new average is 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes – categories 3 to 5 – has remained at 3.
By keeping track of the climatological data and updating records, the NOAA says it is better able to determine if a hurricane season will be above-, near- or below-average. Updating the “average” occurs once every decade.
]]>As part of a humanitarian package, St. Kitts and Nevis government has offered to receive 300 hundred persons who were displaced as a result of the volcanic eruption in the neighbouring Caribbean nation also known as the Gem of the Antilles.
Abdias Samuel, National Disaster Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that accommodation commitments have already been made. Koi Resort St. Kitts has made available 70 rooms that can accommodate two to three persons while the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, as well as the Sugar Bay Club has identified 30 rooms each. That brings the total available rooms to 130 in St. Kitts. A hotel in Nevis has also committed 30 rooms to the humanitarian assistance programme.
“We are also advocating for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis as well as Vincentians who are here … to accept persons from St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Mr. Samuel said on the April 13, 2021 edition of Leadership Matters: A Virtual Forum Series.
Interested persons can register at NEMA located at Lime Kiln Commercial Development or the Nevis Disaster Management Department at Long Point.
Mr. Samuel added that a multi-agency public and private sector committee is being established to manage the process. It will be led by officials from the Department of Social Development and include representatives from the Ministries of FHinance; Foreign Affairs; Education, and Health, as well as the Department of Labour, and St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nevis Disaster Management Department will also serve on the committee.
The La Soufrière volcano erupted on April 09, 2021. Further eruptions have taken place as it remains very active.
In addition to welcoming 300 displaced persons, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has pledged financial assistance in the sum of EC $1 million to assist with the evacuation and resettling of citizens and residents from the danger zone; has agreed to provide human resources through the Regional Security System (RSS) recruited from St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to support humanitarian, technical and peace-keeping efforts on the ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and contributed US $20,000 towards the Special Emergency Assistance Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in order to bring immediate relief to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and support its logistical operations.
Like St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
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Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (SKNIS): Two shipping containers of supplies from St. Kitts and Nevis left the Federation on Tuesday (April 13, 2021) to support disaster relief efforts in St. Vincent in the Grenadines, as the country grapples with continued eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano.
The volcano first erupted on Friday (April 09, 2021), forcing the evacuation of some 20,000 people from communities in the danger zone.
On Tuesday’s edition of the Leadership Matters programme, National Disaster Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abdias Samuel, explained that 264 contributions of food, non-perishable items, personal hygiene kits, and other supplies were donated to assist persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The contributions are valued at $150,000.
The information posted on the official NEMA SKN Facebook Page noted that two shipping containers were “packed to capacity” and were shipped on Tuesday. The support is commendable given that the call for donations was made on Saturday (April 10).
Mr. Samuel indicated that the business community responded favourably to the call for donations. Chief among them was the Rams Group of Companies that donated $40,000 worth of food and relief supplies. He also commended O. D. Brisbane and Sons (Trading) Ltd, Tropical Shipping, and Carib Brewery (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd.
“Equally so, I must recognize the ordinary citizens who came to NEMA and made their contribution,” Mr. Samuel stated.
St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society was also praised by the top disaster official for its outstanding volunteer support.
Residents who were unable to contribute to the initial relief drive can still donate. NEMA officials are organizing a second donation drive. Additional information can be obtained by telephone at 466-5100.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – On a special edition of the popular programme, Leadership Matters, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris applauded the substantial and comprehensive efforts of ordinary citizens and residents to mobilise much needed support for the thousands of people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines affected by volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean island.
The La Soufrière volcano erupted on Friday, April 09, displacing more than 20,000 persons residing in the ‘danger zones’ who were forced to evacuate their homes.
“I am so pleased as the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis to acknowledge that in less than a week St. Kitts and Nevis has mobilized a substantial and comprehensive response to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Apart from my Government, the rest of the society has responded well,” Prime Minister Harris said on the virtual forum series on Tuesday, April 13.
Authorities here, through the coordination of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are preparing to ship two containers filled with needed supplies to the neighbouring Caribbean territory.
Prime Minister Harris said, “Imagine, notwithstanding our small size, we could so quickly put a large quantity of food and non-food items identified by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on their list of needs including, baby food, water, feminine napkins, pampers etc.”
These items are in addition to the comprehensive humanitarian package announced by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis over the weekend to assist St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Government’s package includes financial assistance in the sum of EC $1 million to assist with the evacuation and resettling of citizens and residents from the danger zone; welcoming up to 300 evacuees to the shores of St. Kitts and Nevis; providing human resources through the Regional Security System (RSS) recruited from St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to support humanitarian, technical and peace-keeping efforts on the ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and contributing US $20,000 towards the Special Emergency Assistance Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in order to bring immediate relief to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and support its logistical operations.
“I want to thank all persons on St. Kitts and Nevis who have supported this major humanitarian response. We collectively are being a blessing to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We offer hope to them that they are not alone,” Prime Minister Harris said.
The Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, has since reached out to Prime Minister Harris to express gratitude to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the citizens and residents for their strong show of solidarity “during this very challenging situation facing us here in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 11, 2021 (SKNIS): In being its brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis has extended a helping hand in donating over $1 million dollars and other humanitarian aid to assist the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano, which erupted on April 9 after being dormant for over four decades. It last erupted in April 1979 with no casualties as the local population was evacuated. However, in 1902, the people were not so lucky when the deadly volcano erupted killing about 1,600 people, most of them indigenous Kalinagos.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, has called for calm.
“I want to urge all our people to be calm—do not panic,” he said at a news conference. “We will come through this stronger than ever.”
With two explosive eruptions with plumes of ash and smoke billowing up to eight kilometers on the Friday morning of April 9, 20, 000 people fled the danger zone (especially from Chateaubelair, a town on the foothills of the volcano) from the ferocity of the volcano and are now displaced and in need of help.
An emergency meeting was convened on the day the La Soufrière spilled its guts by St. Kitts & Nevis National Disaster Mitigation Council with officials from the public and private sectors to mobilize support for the Caribbean nation, which is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Subsequent to the meeting on April 10, Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. The Honourable Timothy Harris, announced a package of assistance to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which includes financial assistance in the sum of EC $1 million to assist with the evacuation and resettling of citizens and residents from the danger zone; welcoming up to 300 evacuees to the shores of St. Kitts & Nevis; providing human resources through the Regional Security System (RSS) recruited from St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to support humanitarian, technical and peace-keeping efforts on the ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and contributing US $20, 000 towards the Special Emergency Assistance Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in order to bring immediate relief to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and support its logistical operations. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been tasked with coordinating the national response to the Needs List provided by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The list includes, but is not exhaustive, cots, blankets, and peripheral water tanks.
“Our prayers are with the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this most challenging time,” Prime Minister Harris said.
Speaking at a press conference on the day of the eruption of the La Soufrière, Prime Minister Gonsalves said: “Amazing on this dangerous road to Jericho, we have the Good Samaritans. It brings home that we are one Caribbean family.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 23, 2021 (SKNIS): The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is proven safe and effective after a recently concluded study and subsequent report in the United States, said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris during his monthly Press Conference on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room.
Prime Minister Harris made the statement in light of reports of blood clots in some persons who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there is no link between the vaccine shot and an increased risk of developing blood clots.
“AstraZeneca’s vaccine is very safe. About 500,000 doses of this vaccine were made available to the region,” said Prime Minister Harris.
Prime Minister Harris touched briefly on a study that was conducted recently indicating that the vaccine is safe and effective.
“Just yesterday, data was released from a long-awaited USA-based safety study of the AstraZeneca Vaccine. The study confirmed that there is no evidence of increased risk of thromboembolic (blood clotting) events or rare blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. This is helpful news,” he said. “Additionally, the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization, both have reported that the AstraZeneca vaccine is very safe and has been effective so far. Our own health experts have assured us that the vaccine is very safe. The vaccine that we are using has passed multilayered evaluation by expert panels before it was granted emergency use approval by the prestigious World Health Organization.”
Dr. Harris said that the early actions taken proved effective in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), adding that the government will continue to work to ensure that such practice remains effective.
“Our early actions helped contain transmission of the virus and kept the people of St. Kitts and Nevis safe. We will continue to explore all avenues to secure additional vaccines through the COVAX Facility and through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. Our Ministry of Health continues to provide guidance on the procurement of vaccines,” he said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 23, 2021 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris stated that the Federation has found a new niche in tourism in the movie-making industry.
He said this during his monthly press conference on March 23, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room in Lime Kiln.
The Honourable Prime Minister said that this new niche in Tourism “is a new and exciting opportunity that came our way as a result of our track record at managing COVID-19.”
He said, “Presently two (2) movies are being filmed in St. Kitts and Nevis, “Below Deck” at Park Hyatt St. Kitts, and “One Year Off” on Nevis.
“The Principal of MSR Productions has promised to deliver 6 movies this year. We are hopeful that the success of these 7 movies – Below Deck and 6 others augurs well for the future development of the film and creative industry,” said Prime Minister Harris. “This will bring much visibility to, and interest in St. Kitts and Nevis as the best place to visit, do business, and live.”
He also recognized persons who are in the hotel sector saying that “We appreciate the confidence in our economy.”
The Prime Minister outlined several hotel properties that are at advanced stages of completion. These properties include the Trinity Sunset Shores, Seaview Hotel, and Hillsborough Suites Hotel, all of which are expected to be completed during the course of the year 2021.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 23, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Health came in for high commendation from Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, for utilizing every health centre in St. Kitts and in Nevis for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
“I want to commend the Ministry of Health for making all eleven (11) Health Centers on St Kitts available for persons to access the vaccine. As it is now, all eleven (11) health centres in St. Kitts and six (6) health centres on Nevis provide vaccines during the period 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.,” said Prime Minister Harris during his monthly Press Conference on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room.
Prime Minister Harris indicated that for most persons the 1-5 p.m. slot is not convenient hence, the ministry decided to accommodate such persons on Saturdays.
“For the last three weeks thereof, we have made available the vaccines at the health centres in Newtown and Basseterre – Irish Town Facility. From this Saturday [March 27] we have added St. Paul’s and Tabernacle to the two in the city of Basseterre,” he said. “I am advised that in Nevis, the Gingerland and Charlestown Health Centres will be opened on some Saturdays,” Prime Minister Harris added and encouraged persons to listen out for those dates.
The Newtown, Irish Town, St Paul’s and Tabernacle Health Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Prime Minister Harris used the occasion to encourage persons to get vaccinated.
“The truth is, while the vaccine is available, all of us must take active steps to be inoculated. My message to those who are waiting is, do not wait. Seize the moment and vaccinate now while the vaccine is available,” said the prime minister.
To date, 7,803 persons or 23.62 percent of the 70 percent target population have been vaccinated since the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis implemented its National COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout and Awareness Campaign on February 22, 2021.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hazel Laws, says that choosing to take the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine is choosing to protect oneself and others from the deadly COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Laws explained this during her presentation at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Press Briefing on February 17 at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Headquarters at Lime Kiln.
In her presentation, she revealed her decision to take the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine, which is already in the Federation.
She explained the reason for her decision to take the vaccine saying that the vaccine minimizes her risk of becoming severely ill or dying.
“If I were to contract the disease, one of five things can happen to me, I can recover without any symptoms; or I may develop mild symptoms via cough, runny nose, stuffiness and then recover; I can become moderately ill and recover, or I can become severely ill or die.”
She continued, “If I opt to take the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine, the scientists and the clinical data assure me that I will be protected from severe illness and death from COVID.”
“Even when we vaccinate our people, we are going to have to continue adhering to the public health measures of wearing our face mask, maintaining adequate hand hygiene, and maintaining a safe distance from others when in public,” said the Chief Medical Officer.
“We will have to continue these essential public health options until a significant proportion of our population has developed immunity against this virus, until a significant proportion of our population has received the vaccine,” she added.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 28, 2021 (SKNIS): To assist in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in St. Kitts & Nevis, a generous family in London donated four (4) Samsung tablets to the National COVID-19 Task Force to be used by the Public Health Team.
The Wallace family through the Office of the High Commissioner in London presented the electronic devices to High Commissioner His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaac, who shipped them to the Federal Ministry of Health in St. Kitts & Nevis.
The tablets were presented to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, by Medical Chief of Staff at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, during the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Weekly Briefing at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room on January 27, 2021.
“These tablets were donated by the Wallace family, parents Robert and Mildred Wallace, and son Lionel Wallace. This donation is said to be for the expressed purpose of distribution to the COVID-19 Task Force of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr. Wilkinson. “They are to be used by the public health officers in the performance of their duties in COVID-19 testing and tabulation of information in the field with the ability to connect with the online laboratory information system.”
“We also want to thank Dr. Jeffers and NextGen Laboratories who were helpful in coordinating this venture and bore the cost of the shipment of these tablets from the United Kingdom,” he said.
“The all of society approach that we have emphasized continues to work and we are grateful to the citizens in the Diaspora and those locally who have stepped forward to the call for service,” Dr. Wilkinson added.
In receiving the tablets, Dr. Hazel Laws said, “It is with pleasure that I accept these four tablets from the donor in the United Kingdom. On behalf of St. Kitts and Nevis COVID-19 National Task Force and the Health Emergency Operations Committee, I want to say a hearty thank you for these four Samsung tablets.”
Two of the tablets are to be donated to the Ministry of Health in Nevis.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 15, 2021 (SKNIS): The Federal Cabinet in St. Kitts and Nevis is establishing a committee to provide advice on the implementation of Universal Health Insurance.
The move is the latest step by the government to introduce a robust insurance programme that would provide quality health insurance to the population. The initiative is a costly venture as estimates place the price tag between $143 million and $181 million.
“Consideration may have to be given to salary deductions from individuals. In other words, how it is going to be funded, what benefits are we going to provide, when will it start—the legislative framework upon which this should stand. Those are the things which will come from a new committee put in place this year to ensure that Universal Health Insurance becomes a reality,” said Honourable Eugene Hamilton, the Minister responsible for National Health Insurance.
The minister’s comments were made at the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on January 14, 2021, at the NEMA Conference Room. He said that the expectation is for UHI to be implemented shortly after the committee completes its work. The minister reminded citizens that the country and other nations around the world continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has influenced the measured approach being taken by the government.
“We are very cautious, we are careful, we are very deliberate in what we do in implementing Universal Health Insurance,” Honourable Hamilton stated.
The enormity of introducing such a comprehensive and transformative programme was compared to other historical, landmark decisions such as purchasing plantation lands, introducing a Citizenship by Investment Programme, constructing the then Southeast Peninsula Road which is now known as the Kennedy A. Simmonds Highway, and establishing a Social Security Fund.
Minister Hamilton said that these decisions were ahead of their time and have positively impacted the development of the country.
“Universal Health Insurance is in that category,” he expressed while calling on the public to fully support the programme.
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