May 07, 2026 No comments
Youth Vaccination Outreaches set for May 13, 16 & 27. Check Your Child’s Vaccination Records
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), through its Youth Health Care Baby Wellness Clinic has planned several vaccine outreaches for members of the community for the month of May. The vaccine outreaches are geared primarily towards children four to nine-years-old who have not yet gotten their vaccine boosters. If parents have missed recent appointments for vaccines, CPS encourages them to make use of this opportunity for children from two months to 17-years-old. Parents and guardians can bring the children and teenagers to the clinic at the Vineyard Office Park between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 13; 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Saturday,...
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May 07, 2026 No comments
Minister Brug: Hantavirus situation poses low risk to Sint Maarten, vigilance remains key
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) — Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, is informing the public of recent developments regarding a reported Hantavirus cluster aboard a cruise ship, while reassuring the community that the risk to Sint Maarten and the wider Caribbean region remains low. According to international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), a number of Hantavirus cases were identified aboard a cruise vessel currently located off Cabo Verde. As of early May 2026, several confirmed cases and fatalities have been reported, all directly linked to individuals onboard the vessel. Minister Brug emphasized that there is no evidence of spread beyond the ship, and that the likelihood of...
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May 07, 2026 No comments
MP Lacroes Calls for National Assessment on whether a minimum pension can be established
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco A. Lacroes has formally requested Government to provide a comprehensive assessment of Sint Maarten’s pension system, raising growing concerns about whether many pensioners are still able to meet the basic cost of living after retirement. In a letter submitted to the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, MP Lacroes requested detailed financial, actuarial, demographic, and legal information related to both the pension structure administered through Social & Health Insurances SZV and the contributory pension system managed by Algemeen Pensioenfonds Sint Maarten. According to MP Lacroes, the request is not about attacking the current system, but about honestly assessing and aligning the reality pensioners are facing today. “We have people who...
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May 06, 2026 No comments
MP Roseburg Commends Foster Care Awareness Month Initiative and Highlights Importance of Rehabilitation
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) Sjamira Roseburg attended the opening of Foster Care Awareness Month and commended Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, the Judicial & Institutional Services Foundation (J&S), Foster Families Central, and all stakeholders involved for bringing attention to such an important issue affecting children and families in Sint Maarten. MP Roseburg stated that the evening served as a powerful reminder that protecting children is not solely the responsibility of government, but of the entire community. “Foster care is one of the purest examples of people opening their hearts and homes to children in need of love, guidance, stability and protection,” MP Roseburg said. “There are many children within our community who simply need a safe environment, support...
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May 06, 2026 No comments
TEATT concludes 2026 transport confirmation process; enforcement phase begins
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) has finalized the 2026 Passenger Transport Confirmation Process and will now move fully into the enforcement phase aimed at strengthening compliance, accountability, and professionalism within the public transportation sector. As previously communicated through public notices and earlier press releases, the Ministry executed a two-phase confirmation process to ensure that all public transportation operators were given a fair and adequate opportunity to regularize their status and comply with the requirements established under the Passenger Transport Ordinance. Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten said at Wednesday’s Council of Ministers Press Briefing that the process was not simply administrative, but part of a broader effort to restore structure and accountability within...
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