On Thursday, September 9th, 2010, the St Jude Reconstruction Project will be launched at a ceremony to be held at the original site of the Hospital before the devastating fire of September 9th, 2009. The ceremony which is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm will feature remarks by the Chairman of the St Jude Hospital Board of Directors, H.E. Tom Chou, Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia, and Minister of Health Hon. Keith Mondesir among others. The feature address will be delivered by Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King.

The launch of the St Jude Reconstruction Project will coincide with the anniversary of the September 9th, 2009 Fire at the St Jude Hospital. The launch will be preceded by a Commemorative Service at the George Odlum Stadium (current location of the Hospital) at 12:00 noon followed by a Media Tour of the current Hospital Operation at 1:30 pm.

The goal of the St. Jude Hospital Reconstruction Project is to rebuild St. Jude Hospital to reinstate the core and ancillary health services previously offered to the public. This will also be in keeping with the Government’s health sector objectives and as such will be expanded where necessary.

The St Jude Reconstruction Project is conceptualized in two phases.  This includes:
a.Short Term / Temporary Accommodation for St. Jude Hospital at the Original Location; and
b.Medium Term / Permanent Facility of St. Jude Hospital on a New Site in the vicinity of the Proposed Site for National University in Vieux Fort.

The intention is for these two components of the project to be implemented simultaneously.

The first component would entail – the re-construction of the surgical building on the old site as well as the renovation of the other two (2) buildings. The facilities will be made fully functional to allow St. Jude Hospital to relocate from the George Odlum Stadium and operate until the new facility is built on the new site. Upon relocation of St. Jude Hospital to the new facility, the old site buildings will be developed as a Medical Research Facility or other medically related use.

With respect to the second component, this will entail – the planning, design & construction of a new 90 bed health care facility for St. Jude Hospital at the new site. This modern, state of the art health care facility will be designed and constructed as a Tropical Sustainable multi –purpose Hospital. The design is expected to produce an effective and efficient health care facility according to modern day requirements but building on the solid foundation of St. Jude Hospital. St. Jude Hospital has charted a legacy of volunteerism and partnerships geared towards superior healthcare for the community as well as the country in general. Old partnerships will be fostered and New partnerships will also be developed. St. Jude Hospital will be more than just buildings. It will be a modern health care experience incorporating as well aspects of healthcare tourism.

During that eventful night of September 9th, 2009, Prime Minister Stephenson King boldly proclaimed: “Out of the Ashes a Phoenix will Rise”.  Government along with all patriotic Saint Lucians can now celebrate the commencement of work that will see the St Jude Hospital fully functional within the next ten (10) months at its original location as part of a transitional plan.

In deciding what to write about this week, my mind wandered onto a sweet old lady whom I diagnosed with this condition two weeks ago.  For all the world, one would have thought she had a stroke, because her face was drawn to one side.  But this was the clincher; only her face was involved, not a whole half of her body, as would be the case if it were a stroke.

So this is what Bell’s palsy is, a weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control expression on one side of your face.  It results from damage to the Facial Nerve (Cranial nerve 7), which runs beneath each ear to the muscles on the same side of your face.

It may result in a droopy appearance of your face, which can affect your self-esteem.  Usually it is not serious and clears up by itself in weeks or months for most people.

It is a condition which is actually relatively common in Dominica; many of you would have known someone who has had it.  Bell’s can occur at any age.  It is seen more often in pregnant women, diabetics, people with ailments of the upper respiratory tract, such as the cold or flu, and in people with compromised immune systems, such as in HIV/AIDS.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT’S BELL’S?

Signs and symptoms may include:

•    Acute paralysis or weakness on one side of your face, making it difficult to close one eye (on the affected side)
•    Drooping of the face and difficulty with facial expressions
•    Pain behind or in front of your ear on the affected side
•    Headache
•    Sounds that seem louder on the affected side
•    Loss of taste on the front potion of your tongue
•    Facial stiffness or a feeling that your face is being pulled to one side.  Actually, in effect, your strong side does pull the weak side toward it.  In other words, if your right side is affected, it will appear that your face is drawn to the left side.
•    Changes in the amount of tears and saliva you produce

The severity of Bell’s palsy can range from mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of the face.  Onset is usually abrupt, developing to become apparent within several hours to a day or two.  Symptoms may be noticed when you awaken.  The palsy may follow pain in the region of the ear by a day or two.  Weakness or paralysis usually peaks within 48 hours after onset of signs and symptoms, and the faster these signs and symptoms progress, the more serious the palsy you’ll experience.

WHAT CAUSES THIS THING?

Honestly, we don’t know.  And its development is still not well understood.  The theory we most believe is that the facial nerve becomes swollen and injured perhaps by a viral infection.  And the virus that has been implicated most often is of the herpes class.  Yes, Herpes virus again.  Remember chicken pox, shingles, cold sores?

Each facial nerve controls all muscles on one side of your face, except those involved in chewing.  The trigeminal (Cranial nerve 5), motor aspect, is responsible for this. That’s why you can still chew just fine when you have Bell’s.  When electrical impulses cannot be properly conducted along the damaged facial nerve, the muscles which it supplies cannot be stimulated, leading to weakness or paralysis of these muscles.

WHEN TO CHECK OUT THE DOC

Most people recover completely within weeks to months, with or without medical treatment.  But not all cases of facial paralysis or weakness are due to Bell’s palsy.

For a few people, the palsy can be severe or give rise to complications.  So see a doc if you have facial weakness, drooping or paralysis, to determine the severity and the underlying cause of your illness.

HOW IS BELL’S DIAGNOSED?

By looking at your face and asking you to try to move you facial muscles, the doctor can make a diagnosis.  He will bear in mind, though, that stroke, infections and tumors can also cause muscle weakness, so he’ll want to do a full examination and do tests to rule out other possible causes.

If the diagnosis is still in doubt after a few days, a test called electromyography (EMG) can confirm the presence of nerve damage and give us information about severity.  This is an out-patient procedure which can measure:

•    The electrical activity of a muscle in response to stimulation.
•    The nature and speed of the conduction of electrical impulses along a nerve.

To measure electrical currents in your facial muscles, tiny needles are inserted into a muscle to be tested.  The needles are connected to an electronic recording device by a wire.  Recordings of electrical activity are made when your muscle is at rest, and as you voluntarily tighten it.  The patterns of activity appear on a screen and may be recorded on film for further analysis.

To study your nerves, two small recording electrodes are taped on to your skin above the nerve to be tested.  We can’t see them, but we know where they are or should be.  Then a little instrument applies a mild shock over the nerve.  The electrical signal moves down the nerve, passing under the electrode.  We can compare the recording of the signal at each electrode site, and we can calculate the time it takes to travel between them.  The speed of conduction along the nerve is thus determined.

By these tests on your facial nerves, we can determine whether and how much they are damaged, and by testing your facial muscle, we can tell how well they are receiving electrical impulses from these same nerves.  Electricians and technical people should have no trouble understanding this bit.  If you don’t, don’t worry about it.  The doctors will have it under control.

COMPLICATIONS

If damage to your facial nerve is unusually severe, nerve fibers may be irreversibly damaged, leaving you with a permanent paralysis.

Sometimes misdirected re-growth of nerve fibers can occur, leading to involuntary contractions of certain muscles when you’re trying to move others.  For example, you may be smiling, only to find your eye on the affected side may close.

HOW BELL’S TREATED?

Well, we don’t really know the cause, so we can’t treat what we don’t know.  It’s not like when we know, for example, the bacteria that infects your tonsils and can easily treat that.  Besides, most cases are not going to last very long, and yet still we are not sure that what we do makes a difference.

But we may try:
Anti-inflammatory medication: These may reduce inflammation and swelling in the bony channel that the facial nerve travels through.

If we feel strongly that a virus is causative, such as the herpes virus, we may give an antiviral drug which can control, not cure it.  Remember.

Massage: Facial massage may help prevent disfigurements (contractures) of the paralysed muscles before recovery takes place.

CAN YOU HELP YOURSELF?

Yes, you can.  Because you cannot blink on the weak side of your face, damage to the outer layer (cornea) of your eye can occur due to it drying out.  It can become cloudy and even develop an ulcer; which can interfere with vision.  You will need to protect your eye using artificial tears, an eye patch, or a transparent eye shield attached to your face with tape.

See you next week.

Dr. Victor Emanuel has been an educator of medical professionals in training, and the public, for over 20 years in Dominica. The contents of his articles are based on facts and research conducted, and not of his opinion.

Cordilius Moncherry, 26 years, and his brother Gaius Moncherry, 24 years, both natives of St. Lucia, were arrested at the airport terminal as they awaited their flight. Both men were subsequently charged with separate counts of illegal entry into the Territory.

The two men are suspects in an attempted murder incident which took place on Sunday in St. Thomas. The victim in that incident remains in critical condition.

The men are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court today.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) joins with the people of Saint Lucia in expressing grave concern about this alarming state of affairs which appears to be getting worse. The fact that the violent murder of Ethelbert “Romeo” Evelyn was also discovered the same afternoon of the Bordelais escape has sent further shockwaves into the entire Saint Lucian society.  Citizens have become extremely concerned about their safety and security. Despite several cosmetic changes, the Stephenson King Government has failed to control crime in the country and Saint Lucians all over the island continue to live in fear.

Reports reaching the SLP suggest that since the armed break-in and escape on August 8th, nothing significant has been done by the Ministry of Internal Security to prevent a recurrence, especially on weekends during which the facility is very vulnerable.

This latest prison break-out and murder again brings into sharp focus the glaring failure of Home Affairs Minister – Mr. Guy Mayers – to bring the National Security situation under control. Mr. Mayers has been appointed a Senator and Minister to deal with this pressing issue, but is clearly too distracted with trying to become the Parliamentary Representative for Castries East, to give due care and attention to his Ministerial duties. This situation cannot be allowed to continue as it has serious negative consequences for the social and economic future of our country.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party therefore has no choice but to call, once again, for the dismissal of Home affairs Minister Guy Mayers who has been a dismal failure at his post.  Mr. Mayers has failed to earn the trust, confidence and respect of security personnel at Bordelais and elsewhere.

The SLP also reiterates its earlier call for an independent Commission of Inquiry to be set up urgently to unearth the causes of these latest security breaches.

Under the theme: “With Unity We Will …” people came from all over the constituency  as well as other parts of the Island to join with the Constituency Group and newly endorsed candidate, Lelia Harracksingh, in Labour’s fight to remove UWP incumbent Arsene James. All Labour’s soldiers in the constituency were solidly behind Harracksingh, and her main rival for the endorsement – Mrs. Mathurine Emmanuel, gave a stirring address of support and solidarity.

Labour’s 2nd Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Laborie – Alva R. Baptiste – in delivering the feature address, traced the Labour roots of the constituency and called upon constituents to unite to liberate Micoud South from the jaws of UWP imposed poverty and deprivation. For her part, newly endorsed candidate – Lelia Harracksingh – catalogued a list of problems plaguing the constituency, from poor quality water, collapse of the farming sector, deplorable roads, unemployment and poor health services. She pledged to work with everyone and the incoming SLP Government to address these issues once and for all.

Political Leader- Dr. Kenny D. Anthony received a rousing welcome from the gathering and he took an incisive look at several issues including the corruption and debt associated with the proposed Hewannorra Airport Project. Dr. Anthony urged supporters to continue their election preparation and assured the gathering that Labour was ready to replace the failed Stephenson King regime.

Former UWP stalwart and Saint Lucia Banana Corporation (SLBC) Chairman – Elias Armorsingh – who is the newly elected Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Constituency Group, brought the curtains down with an electrifying delivery punctuated by regular and spontaneous applause. Armorsingh blasted Arsene James and the King Administration for their poor performance to date, and he said the only answer to the country’s problems was a return of Kenny Anthony and the SLP to Government.

Inmate Marquis.

The public is informed that on Sunday September 5th, 2010 Markin Marquis an Inmate at the Bordelais Correctional Facility was able to make good his escape from the Facility. Marquis was at the time serving a concurrent sentence of one (1) year for causing harm and one (1) year for Possession of Cannabis, which is an illegal substance.

Inmate Marquis

Markin Marquis is a twenty (20) years old male who is registered as a resident of the community of Grande Riviere, Dennery. The Inmate began his sentence on August 4th, 2010 for the aforementioned crimes.  Members of the Major Crimes Department and relevant authorities have visited the Facility and are currently conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the escape of Markin Marquis.

Authorities will update the Press and Public on relevant information and developments pertaining to this escape as it becomes necessary.

Oh, put the darn phone away. Asking for whereabouts and “who, when, why, what” will not stop anything. People can have sex while talking to someone else on the phone, saying they’re cleaning the house or walking on the street or sleeping.

Take my advice: go home without notice, then let me know what takes place.

“It’s not what it seems,” is what he or she would tell you.

Anyway, have any of you people ever had that experience by the way? Catch your lover having sex with someone else – the whole action? I am not talking about kissing or hugging. I am talking about raw, raw, sweaty, overtime sex.

I guess not because if you did, you would not be reading this column. Most likely you would either be in prison, the mad house or dead (by suicide).

I had a similar experience though.

One day, I forgot a very important document home, and I needed it for work. I tried calling my ex, just to make sure it is home so I won’t waste my time driving two miles home for it. Unfortunately, I had to drive two miles because I could not reach her. Her phone was off. Well, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I thought probably the battery died or she turned it off to get some sleep because it was her day off.

Well, to me, it would mean surprising her so I bought lunch for both of us, and headed down the country path.

When I arrived, I noticed a car pull up like 200 feet from our gate, which was weird because no other house existed within a mile of us. But I gave “the scenery” the benefit of the doubt.

“Aww maybe someone went into the forest to sh***… naughty peeps,” I thought.

When I reached the door it was locked. I knocked three times but got no answer. No surprise. Maybe she was sleeping, I thought. I went on to open the door to my two-bedroom apartment. As I entered quietly, I was shocked to hear the bed squeaking and faint moaning and kissing (quite loud I may add). First thought is that she is watching porn because both of us are freaks.

I am even freakier so I decided not to say anything. I wanted to peep to see what she was doing because no girl watches porn by herself at that time of the day and is not doing something to herself.

But as I got closer to the door, the squeaking, moaning and kissing got louder. By then, I knew that was no porn movie. That was reality porn!

Alas! My girlfriend was having sex with another man.

OK, immediately I felt a mixture of emotions: my heart was beating fast, I was sweating, I got nervous and then red-hot angry. My knees were shaking, I felt my hands trembling. I pushed the door suddenly.

In front my eyes, I saw something I never saw before: my girlfriend making out with another woman.

I did not faint. I simply joined in the action.

But that was a dream – a dream I still wish could be repeated. When I woke up that early morning, I was sweating and shaking like I was actually there. I wish it was real. But it was a good suspense-thriller-turned-porn-movie. I am not sure if I ended up being the star of the movie – or the dream – but I sure know it would’ve been a lot of fun.

Well unfortunately, not a lot of people are that lucky. Some have experienced the real deal. Catching your man with another man; catching your woman with another man; or catching your man with another woman. And I am sure it is devastating.

The woman-on-woman episode is hardly ever heart-breaking but the suspense can kill.

I have been asking a few peeps what they would do if they caught their lover with another person. Some say they would kill, others say they would walk away or just join in.

But we can say anything when it is not happening to us. When reality hits home we may react totally opposite to what we thought.

Personally, I believe someone’s reaction is dependent on how much you loved the person. If it is someone you wanted off your back then that is a perfect scenario to take off from the sour relationship. If you were in love or loved deeply, chances are you would evoke deadly rage.

Here are some reactions from a few peeps I spoke to (names changed to protect identity:

FF: I would probably faint but it would be quite devastating though.  I would be very angry and I would feel betrayed.

DG: Beat both of them.

SNAPPER: If she lives with me… I will make sure she knows I caught her… and I will continue to live with her and never talk about it. I will continue to be myself in the house but I will never sleep with her. Basically I will fraustrate her a** so much she will go crazy. The hardest thing is to not know what I am thinking, then when she cannot take it no more she will leave and I will blog her a** away pictures and all. If she does not leave with me, same ting but I will just go straight to blogging her a** away. She will never have another man again because the whole world will know. Boss doh worry with me na. I will just shoot her. End of story.

Alana: At first I will laugh. I am at my calmest when I am most angry.  Then somebody would be badly beaten.

Tan: Seriously, I would not let them see me, and go and get some boiling water and douse the two of them. That would be my first reaction.

Ven: Of course after I collect myself and recover from shock I would start throwing things at him. If I don’t have a gun in my hand then he should consider himself lucky, and leave him of course.

AN: Nothing out of the ordinary. Take my immediate needs and find somewhere to go and free myself; would not even want to discuss it.

Dwayne: Not sure.

Georgi: I’d take a pic and walk away. I would need the pic for proof.

Kev: Depends on whose bed it is. Mine? Probably go on the attack because das just disrespectful. Hers? Walk out and leave.

Laden: Beat he den walk out den probably mash up he house.

Helen: I would walk away and never look back.

Lish: Would just walk away
Someone else said would beat them both

Lish: If it is in my bed lol trust me they will be dead.

Lil Pimp: Mmm that’s a hard one.  Wow, I don’t know.

Sherl: I probably would just burst out in tears and then look for the closest weapon in my reach.

Nicky: Shoot em.

Sabby: I would get angry at first but ultimately just let it go. Every person free to do as they please … if my man chooses to cheat on me then that is him. I just have to get rid of him and say screw that. It has other fish – bigger, better fish in the sea.

Teo: Make their lives a living hell.

Jose: I’m gonna kill her! lol

Terry: If it’s a man, it’s pretty much over. If it’s a woman, the question is do you want me to join, watch or go away. If the latter, I’m gone for good.

My conclusion is that if something like that happens to you, it makes no sense being violent because at the end of the day, you’re getting yourself into lots of trouble. And what’s more heartbreaking than being imprisoned and allowed to pay for your lover’s crime? And while you’re there languishing in jail, he or she will be having much more booty calls – possibly with the same person.

I covered a story once where a dude beat up another dude because he allegedly touched his girlfriend’s vagina in a crowded place. Without concrete proof, and basing his actions only on his girlfriend’s words, he went on a punching spree – almost killing the young man. He got several years in prison. When he was released he was killed shortly after (not sure if it was related to his imprisonment). And where is the girl now? She has another man. He is now like a dust in the wind.

Violence is not the answer. Just walk away and vent your frustration on something else.

See ya next week.

Greedy for Green logo

One of Saint Lucia’s leading financial institutions has taken the bold step towards becoming more environmentally responsible. East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Ltd. (ECFH) just launched its environmental campaign, Greedy for Green, at its head office on Bridge Street last Tuesday.

Greedy for Green will involve the company adopting environmentally-friendly practices internally across the Group’s subsidiaries that include Bank of Saint Lucia and EC Global Insurance, as well as supporting external projects that promote environmental conservation and awareness. This latest initiative forms part of the Group’s corporate social responsibility programme that has environmental conservation as a key element.

Speaking at Tuesday’s official launch, Group Managing Director, Mr. Robert Norstrom, stated that “While finance is our business, at ECFH, our greed is a genuine craving or desire to contribute to improving the quality of life of all Saint Lucians; and the protection and conservation of our natural heritage and resources is critical to achieving this. And so we are very concerned with promoting not just the green of financial success but the green of our natural environment and its conservation”. He reiterated ECFH’s commitment to the well-being of the communities that it serves and Greedy for Green is intended to further that commitment significantly.

The Greedy for Green launch was attended by members of ECFH’s executive and senior management; representatives of the Solid Waste Management Authority, the National Trust, and Consolidated Foods Ltd. Officials from the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association and Boys Training Centre were also present as they will be benefitting from activities undertaken as part of ECFH’s Greedy for Green.

One of Saint Lucia’s leading financial institutions has taken the bold step towards becoming more environmentally responsible. East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Ltd. (ECFH) just launched its environmental campaign, Greedy for Green, at its head office on Bridge Street last Tuesday.

Greedy for Green will involve the company adopting environmentally-friendly practices internally across the Group’s subsidiaries that include Bank of Saint Lucia and EC Global Insurance, as well as supporting external projects that promote environmental conservation and awareness. This latest initiative forms part of the Group’s corporate social responsibility programme that has environmental conservation as a key element.

Speaking at Tuesday’s official launch, Group Managing Director, Mr. Robert Norstrom, stated that “While finance is our business, at ECFH, our greed is a genuine craving or desire to contribute to improving the quality of life of all Saint Lucians; and the protection and conservation of our natural heritage and resources is critical to achieving this. And so we are very concerned with promoting not just the green of financial success but the green of our natural environment and its conservation”. He reiterated ECFH’s commitment to the well-being of the communities that it serves and Greedy for Green is intended to further that commitment significantly.

The Greedy for Green launch was attended by members of ECFH’s executive and senior management; representatives of the Solid Waste Management Authority, the National Trust, and Consolidated Foods Ltd. Officials from the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association and Boys Training Centre were also present as they will be benefitting from activities undertaken as part of ECFH’s Greedy for Green.

BoSL Card Services staff member hard at work!

As financial entities, banks often give monetary assistance to worthy causes and organizations that require support. However, Bank of Saint Lucia’s staff gave far more than this when the Card Services Department undertook a major clean-up at the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association’s (SLBWA) head office in Sans Souci. On Saturday, August 28th, the bank’s Card Services team showed up with shovels, gloves and other tools ready to tackle the job of giving the grounds a real face-lift. The activity was part of the recently launched Greedy for Green environmental campaign undertaken by the bank’s parent company, East Caribbean Financial Holding Co. Ltd. (ECFH).

The idea of the clean-up activity came from the staff members themselves and Head of Card Services, Mrs. Tarbula Aimable-Amedee, ensured that her team were all on board and in fact, the children of one staff member also participated. President of the SLBWA, Mr. Anthony Avril, was delighted with the bank’s assistance and expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Aimable-Amedee and her team for this initiative. ECFH’s Senior Manager for Human Resource, Ms Jenni Killam, who also participated in the activity, emphasized that this was part of the Group’s corporate social responsibility efforts to enhance the well-being of those it serves.

At the end of the exercise, the SLBWA’s premises were improved significantly and its staff had a better work environment in which to carry out their important duties to the visually impaired. Staff members of Bank of Saint Lucia’s Card Services Department were happy to give their time and energy to such an activity and there are plans to assist the SLBWA even more in the future.
As financial entities, banks often give monetary assistance to worthy causes and organizations that require support. However, Bank of Saint Lucia’s staff gave far more than this when the Card Services Department undertook a major clean-up at the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association’s (SLBWA) head office in Sans Souci. On Saturday, August 28th, the bank’s Card Services team showed up with shovels, gloves and other tools ready to tackle the job of giving the grounds a real face-lift. The activity was part of the recently launched Greedy for Green environmental campaign undertaken by the bank’s parent company, East Caribbean Financial Holding Co. Ltd. (ECFH).

The idea of the clean-up activity came from the staff members themselves and Head of Card Services, Mrs. Tarbula Aimable-Amedee, ensured that her team were all on board and in fact, the children of one staff member also participated. President of the SLBWA, Mr. Anthony Avril, was delighted with the bank’s assistance and expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Aimable-Amedee and her team for this initiative. ECFH’s Senior Manager for Human Resource, Ms Jenni Killam, who also participated in the activity, emphasized that this was part of the Group’s corporate social responsibility efforts to enhance the well-being of those it serves.

At the end of the exercise, the SLBWA’s premises were improved significantly and its staff had a better work environment in which to carry out their important duties to the visually impaired. Staff members of Bank of Saint Lucia’s Card Services Department were happy to give their time and energy to such an activity and there are plans to assist the SLBWA even more in the future.

Between 6 and 8 September 2010, six Caribbean ministers of tourism, along with the CTO’s chief executive, will be in London for talks on the Air Passenger Duty (APD) with a range of organisations  including the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), the Caribbean Council, Caribbean Diaspora representatives, the British Air Transport Association and the British Caribbean All Party Parliamentary Group.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY