Black Immigrant Daily News

As part of their ongoing Adopt-A-School programme for the current school year, Sagicor recently paid a visit to the St Martin’s Mangrove and Workman’s Primary schools, to conduct basic health and wellness checks of both sets of students, teachers, and ancillary staff.

One by one, each individual was ushered into the Sagicor branded Mobile Medical Unit for an assessment, along with receiving information and guidance as to what good health should look and feel like, in addition to any warning signs to be on the lookout for.

Performing the checks was Sagicor’s in-house Nurse, Rosanna Springer, who explained that the exercise was intended to identify any existing or potential health challenges, information on which would then be passed on to the relevant teachers and parents for follow-up with their family physician or a medical specialist, depending on the area of concern.

“Many children across Barbados do not undergo periodic health checks, which means that unless they bring attention to a challenge they are experiencing, health issues could potentially go undiagnosed”, said Springer. “These issues may also have an impact on the students’ learning ability, which could therefore negatively affect their educational growth and development”, she added.

During the visit, each student’s vision and hearing was evaluated, while basic checks were also conducted with respect to blood pressure, height and weight.

“Brief conversations were also had with each student to explain the importance of the various checks, what the information from each test means, as well as the impact they have on their overall health”, Springer explained.

Speaking on the activity, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc, Paul Inniss, said that this is yet another example of the company’s commitment to executing the main elements of the Adopt-A-School programme, relative to improving the physical environment and safety at the school, improving the health of the students and supporting the school’s educational programmes.

“As a health insurance provider, we see first-hand the impact that poor health can have on individuals’ lives, as well as their finances. At this early stage, the growth and development of these students can be set back by unknown or unchecked health issues that negatively impact their ability to concentrate or take in information”, argued Inniss. “Maintaining good health is therefore something that will be encouraged among the students at all of our adopted schools in Barbados and across the region.”

In December of last year, the Sagicor Group officially launched its Adopt-A-School programme, with eight primary schools being adopted across the Southern Caribbean for the 2021-2022 school year. St Martin’s Mangrove Primary in St. Philip and Workman’s Primary in St George were the schools selected in Barbados, following a period of nomination and shortlisting by the company’s team members, with the selected schools being voted on by a staff committee.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

REAL NEWS:

Police officers executed a search warrant at a Pares Village residence in the presence of the several men under investigation, but nothing of interest was found. However, one was arrested in connection with a report of assault with a firearm.

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Meanwhile, the July 13 search also unearthed the cultivation of 1,626 cannabis plants and seedlings in addition to a quantity of cured cannabis. The marijuana plants were uprooted and, along with the other items, were taken to the Parham Police Station for investigation purposes.

An Urlings man, reportedly a co-occupant of the premises, along with two members of the Pares Village familv were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.

One of them, a 51-year old, was subsequently charged for the unlawful possession of the controlled drug cannabis.

Further, while executing a search warrant at the home of a 28-year-old male carrying the same surname, the Police reportedly discovered 27 small Ziploc bags containing a bushy substance.

These bags, along with the alleged defendant, were also taken to the Parham Police Station for further investigation.

Additionally, during a search executed on the premises of yet another family member, a quantity of plant materials resembling cannabis was found and taken to the station for investigation.

In this instance, two persons, including a woman, were arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali said that the Government is presently examining ways to work with the local banking sector to create more opportunities for Guyana’s ever-evolving economy, particularly for small businesses.

He noted that creating “innovative ways” were essential for micro-enterprises, which do not possess the type of collateral or cash outlay to benefit from the opportunities available.

“We have to have a discussion on the apportionment of that risk and how we can minimise or remove the collateral requirement and take the contract at face value, and then work out a mechanism through which a contract at face value is used to support those business operations.”

The Head of State, who has often spoken about the importance of the banking sector in the development of Guyana, made the statement during the launch of Demerara Bank’s new branch in Leonora, on the West Coast of Demerara on Thursday.

He called the location and level of investment essential to the development of Region Three.

“I have no doubt that this investment will be successful, that this investment with everything else that is happening around here will create a modern economic hub that will generate thousands of jobs. We have no doubt that development like these will support the other massive transformative developments that will take place along the coastline.”

The bank, which will be constructed at just over $150m at Groenveldt, Leonora, is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

IN SYNC WITH DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

The President reminded that only a few weeks ago the bank launched a special initiative that is collateral free to help small farmers. This he added, is another example of Demerara Bank creating a vehicle to support the development agenda.

“Moving here also shows that you are actively working in sync with the development agenda of the country and the Government….In this location here alone, we’re not only talking about a bank, we’re talking about a new mall, and we’re talking about the new hospital. You’re talking about a private housing development that will see 40 to 50 executive style homes, that construction has already started, and 100 condos geared towards international market in this one location.”

The major development projects earmarked for the region include Wales’s Gas-to-Shore project, the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge and the new four-lane highway from Schoonord to Crane.

The President said that these and other transformative projects across the country are undoubtedly affecting the demand for materials and services, a challenge faced globally. As such, he urged that businesses “work a bit harder and more creative” in finding more localised solutions to combat the global crisis.

“Understand what this means for demand. Understand the trickledown effect. Already we are feeling the effect of this in not a positive way… all of this is happening under very difficult global circumstances, not only in terms of food prices but in terms of material prices. Forget about the prices let’s not even go to the prices; the supply. There is no supply; huge deficit in global demand and supply.”

To this end, the President lauded the efforts of those who continue to innovate despite the difficulties.

“I am very pleased with the proactive and innovative work of Demerara Bank and to say to the leadership and the staff that your work, you may not see it now but years from now, you will reflect and you will happily say you are part of this transformation.”

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