tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55843416002363543702024-03-08T12:48:58.653-08:00Watch this space for the latest news updates!Vibes101FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851964392756618687noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5584341600236354370.post-47412883428154395402013-11-16T11:52:00.005-08:002013-11-16T11:53:23.589-08:00DOMINICA TO HOST 28TH MEETING OF ECTEL'S COUNCIL OF MINISTERS<br />
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Roseau – The Council of Ministers of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) will hold its twenty-eighth (28th) regular Meeting in Dominica from Thursday October 24th to Friday October 25th 2013 at the Rejens Hotel in the northern town of Portsmouth.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The Council, comprising Ministers of Telecommunications of the member States, will receive updated reports on the operations of ECTEL as well as strategizing on the future agenda of activities and issues for the Organisation, for the next fiscal year.<br />
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There are a number of emerging issues for discussion by the Council but of paramount importance will be the CWC/Columbus strategic alliance or joint venture in the PAN American region for expanded wholesale capacity to third party carriers, the engagement of Ministers in the championing and hopeful establishment of a Competition Authority, Roaming and Call Termination across the region and the use of the 700MHz Spectrum. Other areas which will be deliberated upon are: the harmonisation initiative for the development of a regional ICT infra-structure for the facilitation of broadband, spectrum management and cyber-security and the passage of harmonised e-legislation among the member states.<br />
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The Meeting will hear presentations from the Ministers themselves as well as private sector partners (including Ross University), technical experts, regulatory and ICT policymakers from Montserrat, the OECS Desk, and an official of the Inter-American Development Bank.<br />
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On the final day of the Council, the Ministers in the presence of officials of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will formally sign Project Letters of Support for the IDB-sponsored regional initiatives in the areas of Spectrum Management, Broadband and Cyber-security.<br />
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The Council of Ministers was established following the signing of the ECTEL Treaty in May 2000 with its main functions being to promote effective implementation of the Treaty and to give policy directions to the Board of Directors of ECTEL.<br />
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The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)is the Multi-nation Telecommunications Regulator and was established by the Governments of five Eastern Caribbean states (Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) to promote market liberalization and competition in telecommunications of the contracting states.Vibes101FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851964392756618687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5584341600236354370.post-54465758280745187282013-06-17T12:17:00.003-07:002013-06-17T12:18:37.686-07:00COSTING OF HEALTH SERVICES AND INTEGRATIVE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO BE LAUNCHED Written by GISST. GEORGE -- A group of consultants from Washington is currently in discussions with the Ministry of Health which is seeking advice on the costing of health services.<br />
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An organised billing and admissions system is being introduced to ensure that all patients visiting the General hospital are accounted for.<br />
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Director of Hospital Services Mr. Samuel Pierre said, at the moment, bills and admissions systems at the hospital can be termed as direct payment.<br />
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Mr Pierre said, the Ministry of Health is engaging a number of consultants from Washington to advise Grenada on the costing of services, but part of that process will involve providing information as to the feasibility of implementing a National Health Insurance Scheme.<br />
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"The importance of a National Health Insurance Scheme cannot be underestimated because what it means is that we may be able to provide and successfully implement the highest quality of health care affordable for all Grenadians", the Director of hospital services said.<br />
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Meanwhile the Ministry will launch its integrative primary health care model in the coming days.<br />
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The project is designed to afford greater access to health care at the community level. Work has been ongoing on the programme for more than a year.<br />
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The integrative model means that the programme will look at risk factors, environmental conditions, nutrition, health education and disease prevention among others. It will be launched at the Sauteurs Health Centre.<br />
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Because it is such a fundamental change to the health system delivery, a pilot programme is necessary.<br />
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"We're going to pilot it first then monitor what has happened over the year that we've piloted the programme and from there use the information to do an island wide implementation", said Dr Martin.<br />
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"We also want to let them know the kind of impact we expect after a year or two," he added.<br />
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Dr. Martin emphasized the fact that too many people come to the emergency rooms at the General and Princess Alice hospitals with problems that could easily be treated at the District Medical Centres (DMOs).<br />
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"We can't allow the ER to become so overburdened by persons who are not supposed to be there," the Public Health specialist said.<br />
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The implementation of the project will result in an extension of hours at the community health centres.<br />
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St. George's and Grand Anse medical centres hours of operation will also be extended from 8.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m.Vibes101FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851964392756618687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5584341600236354370.post-81606855079189159402013-06-17T11:55:00.001-07:002013-06-17T11:55:15.922-07:00Another Perspective Written by Caldwell Taylor<div>
It was built merely a decade following what the British colonisers called the "Fedon Revolution". It was dedicated in 1813- the biggest public works undertaking in 19th century Grenada. It is the Paradise Bridge, and it is fit to be called "iconic."<a name='more'></a></div>
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The Bridge squats over the "Paradise River" where the water breaks into a liquid carpet, going from roaring speed into mincing laziness. Paradise people never speak of a "Paradise River": the crispy water is the Fun day vo (Fond des Faultes).*</div>
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History sheaths the name. And, too, History emits the truth of how a plantation of calloused "hands" (slaves) polished and lifted stones, turning undressed rocks into a humpbacked road.</div>
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History is a chalk-dusted teacher: She teaches the wisdom of bridges; how they abhor divide; how they stoop to win; how they make Morrisonian* "break[s] on through the other side."</div>
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*Fond des Faultes- a place to "bad talk"; a place to discuss your neighbours' faults. At the Fond des Faults, communities of bare-breasted women washed their rags and washed their mouths on their "enemies".</div>
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**Jim Morrison of "The Doors" in a 1967 song- Break on Through (To the Other Side).</div>
Vibes101FMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851964392756618687noreply@blogger.com