November 03, 2025 No comments
150 Women Screened during SMMC’s Women’s Health Day
SINT MAARTEN (CAY HILL) - On Saturday, October 25, 2025, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) hosted its annual Women’s Health Day in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralytes Foundation, which saw 150 women being screened for breast cancer. Attendees received free clinical breast exams, carried out by SMMC’s medical specialists and local General Practitioners. SMMC and the partnered foundations also provided vouchers for up to 100 free mammograms for uninsured women. This year, SMMC’s Outpatient Gynecology Nurses Alisha Doyle-Dottin and Marisal Leyretana a medical history questionnaire for patients to answer before their examinations, which allowed physicians to assess patients more accurately. The questionnaire covered aspects such as family history of breast cancer, breast changes and breast surgery. SMMC welcomed...
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November 03, 2025 No comments
DUO Visit. Repaying your student debt? Lower monthly instalment may be possible
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In November, people with a DUO student debt will receive a message about their monthly instalment for 2026. While some may be able to lower this amount by submitting their income details to DUO, not everyone is aware of this. That is why DUO will be visiting Bonaire from 17 to 21 November, Aruba from 24 November to 5 December, and Sint Maarten from 8 to 12 December. DUO will open temporary service desks and provide information sessions. On Curaçao, the service desk is open for an extended period. Submitting your income details Some former students are repaying more than they need to because their income has not yet been taken into account. Those who...
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November 02, 2025 No comments
Minister of Finance: Financial Audit of OZR Fund to Take Place
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Finance, Hon. Ms. Marinka J. Gumbs, has commissioned the Government Audit Bureau (SOAB) to carry out a financial audit of the OZR Fund, which is managed by the Social and Health Insurances (SZV) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. While SZV has been audited annually, there has not been a financial audit of the OZR Fund in the past ten years. The audit aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the OZR (“Overheidsziektekostenregeling”) Fund, which provides health coverage for civil servants, teachers, government affiliated employees, and their dependents. This scheme plays a vital role in ensuring access to quality healthcare for public sector workers and their families. While a...
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November 02, 2025 No comments
St. Dominic Primary School Students Visit KPSM Headquarters
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On the morning of Friday, October 31, 2025, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) welcomed students and teachers from the St. Dominic Primary School to the Philipsburg Police Station for an educational visit. During their time at the station, the students received a brief explanation about the many roles and responsibilities of the police officers work daily. The visit also included a guided tour of the station, led by School Resource Officer (SRO) Brigadier A. Blijden. This initiative forms part of KPSM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community relations and encourage positive engagement between law enforcement and the youth of Sint Maarten. The KPSM Management Team extends its sincere appreciation to the management and teachers of St. Dominic...
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November 02, 2025 No comments
Ministry of VSA Receives Final Draft of Sint Maarten’s 10-Year Mental Health Vision and Strategic Plan
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) receives final draft of Sint Maarten’s 10-year mental health vision and strategic plan for 2025 through 2035: “Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities”. The draft vision and accompanying plan outline a shared direction for improving mental health and well-being across Sint Maarten, with the goal of building a resilient, inclusive, and person-centered mental health system that ensures timely, affordable, and quality support for all residents. The draft plan was developed under one of the components of the Mental Health Project (MHP), which is funded through the trust fund, is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) in close cooperation with the Ministry of VSA and with technical guidance...
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