PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):---  International Firefighters’ Day was observed on Monday, May 4, 2026, around the globe, and the Fire Chief of the Sint Maarten Fire Department Clive Richardson, is extending sincere appreciation to the dedicated men and women who serve on the frontlines to protect lives, property, and the environment across the country.

On Monday, International Firefighters’ Day provided an opportunity to recognize the courage, commitment, and professionalism of firefighters who respond to emergencies at all hours and under challenging conditions.

Whether combating structural fires, responding to traffic accidents, assisting during natural disasters, or providing critical rescue services, the personnel of the Sint Maarten Fire Department remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard the community.

Fire Chief Richardson highlighted that the department’s strength lies in its highly trained professionals who consistently demonstrate bravery, teamwork, and a deep sense of duty.

Firefighters are often called upon to make split-second decisions in life-threatening situations, and their readiness to respond at any moment reflects their unwavering dedication to public safety.

“On this International Firefighters’ Day that took place on Monday, we recognize and honor the sacrifices made by our firefighters and their families,” Fire Chief Clive Richardson stated.

“Their commitment to service, often in the face of danger, is a testament to their character and their passion for protecting the people of Sint Maarten. We are proud of their continued dedication and professionalism.”

Fire Chief Richardson encourages the community to take a moment to recognize the invaluable role firefighters play and to support efforts that promote fire safety and prevention.

The Sint Maarten Fire Department remains committed to serving the community with integrity, readiness, and professionalism, ensuring that help is always available when it is needed most.

Those seeking information can contact the Fire Department at 542-1215, 542-1217, 542-6001 or in case of an emergency call 919.

The Fire Department falls under the Ministry of General Affairs.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA) and Butterfly Warriors Lupus Support Group, have collaborated to organize an information session for Friday, May 8, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm at the Government Administration Building, Rooms 1 & 2.

May is Lupus Awareness Month. On Friday evening, there will be guest speakers, presentations, testimonials, and refreshments.

May 10, 2026, is World Lupus Day under the theme, “Belonging. Belief.” This day is used to increase awareness of the symptoms and health effects of lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

The 2026 theme is “Make Lupus Visible.” The focus is on the "invisible" nature of the disease. Because many symptoms—such as extreme fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive issues—are not always apparent to observers, patients often face a lack of understanding from the public, employers, and at times healthcare providers.

You cannot "catch" lupus from someone else. While it can affect anyone, 90% of people living with lupus are women, and it is most common during childbearing years. It is estimated that at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus.

Lupus is a chronic, auto-immune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu).

Normally a person’s immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Auto-immune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates auto antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These auto antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

World Lupus Day is sponsored by the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from around the world, united to improve the quality of life for people affected by lupus.

World Lupus Day serves to call attention to the impact that lupus has on people around the world. The annual observance focuses on the need for improved patient healthcare services, increased research into the causes of and cure for lupus, earlier diagnosis and treatment of lupus, and better epidemiological data on lupus globally.

For those seeking information about lupus, you can email CPS at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Today, Tuesday, May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day. The 2026 global campaign is 18 years of SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), everyone has the right to expect clean care, whether that care is administered in a field hospital, a care home or a state-of-the art operating theatre.

A large proportion of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery could still be prevented with hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC) action at the right times.

This provides a high return on investment for health systems and countries. In this 18th year of the WHO world hand hygiene day, we call on those providing and supporting health care to refresh their action on hand hygiene and IPC to ensure patient and health worker safety.

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, says clean care is safer care; protects the most vulnerable, saves lives and helps combat bacteria resistance, and it all starts with clean hands for infection prevention and control.

CPS calls on all health and care related institutions to review and reflect on their protocols currently in place for infection prevention and control, and to adjust where necessary, if need be, to be in line with WHO standards and requirements.

The WHO says that: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect health systems every day and are a daily threat to patients in every health care setting, including during public health emergencies.

They contribute to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden, cause immense suffering to patients, families and health workers, premature deaths and disability, higher health care costs and hamper efforts to achieve high-quality care for all.

Hand hygiene and IPC best practices are also affected by the built environment including lack of water, sanitation, waste management and hygiene (WASH), which also impact equity and dignity among both those providing and receiving care.

In 2026 IPC action including hand hygiene, is critical now more than ever.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As Nurse Week begins on May 5th, Minister Brug extends his sincere appreciation to nurses for their dedication, resilience, and the vital role they play in caring for the community.
Throughout the healthcare system, nurses remain a constant presence during life’s most critical moments—bringing not only medical expertise, but also compassion, reassurance, and human connection to patients and their families.
Minister Brug offered special recognition to the nurses working within the Ministry of VSA, highlighting the imbalance many continue to face. These nurses consistently demonstrate professionalism and commitment in serving the public.
Minister Brug also underscored the personal realities behind the profession. Long shifts, overnight duties, and ongoing pressure extend beyond the workplace, affecting family life and personal well-being. Missed milestones, limited time at home, and emotional strain are part of the sacrifice many nurses and their families quietly carry. These challenges reinforce the importance of acknowledging and supporting the mental health of those in the profession.
As demands on healthcare continue to grow, the role of nurses remains fundamental to the quality and continuity of care. They are often the steady presence throughout a patient’s journey, ensuring that care is not only delivered but experienced with dignity and attention.
Minister Brug is encouraging the public to show greater respect and appreciation for our nurses, not only during Nurse Week but every day. Simple acts of patience, kindness, and acknowledgment can make a meaningful difference.