PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson says the past two weeks have been active with the formation of two additional storms.

Therefore, ODM is calling on the community to remain vigilant and monitor weather reports.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science, in its most recent seasonal forecast of October 1, 2025, says it anticipates above-normal storm formation activity for the next two weeks.

CSU adds that weather forecasts models signal for potential development in the central tropical Atlantic east of the Leeward and Windward Islands and in the northwest Caribbean/Gulf.

Nine named storms have formed to date with the last one being Imelda.  Out of the nine storms, four became hurricanes and two of those reached Category 5 status based on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

The last Category 5 hurricane was Humberto with wind speeds reaching 160 miles per hour. The storm rapidly intensified within a very short period of time – 24 hours to a Cat 5.

Continue to monitor local weather reports by visiting the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ as the country is now in the peak period of the season.

The remaining 2025 storm names are: Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

The hurricane season runs through November 30.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its second ‘Global Hypertension Report,’ and it says that 1.4 billion people lived with hypertension in 2024, while one in five have it under control either through medication or by addressing health risks.

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), says hypertension – high blood pressure - is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia, which are both preventable and treatable.

The new report – released at an event co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Resolve to Save Lives during the 80th United Nations General Assembly – also reveals that only 28% of low-income countries report that all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines are generally available in pharmacies or primary care facilities.

The WHO says every hour, over 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives every year.

Preventing high blood pressure, or hypertension, is fundamentally achieved through mindful dietary choices, with a strong focus on controlling sodium intake.

Excessive sodium causes the body to retain fluid, increasing blood volume and putting greater strain on blood vessels. To counteract this, individuals should drastically limit processed, pre-packaged, and fast foods—which are primary sources of hidden salt—and focus on fresh, whole foods.

Adopting a diet rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, is highly effective. This involves prioritizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, as these nutrients help to relax blood vessel walls and balance the negative effects of sodium, leading to a natural reduction in blood pressure.

A second crucial set of measures revolves around achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight through regular physical activity.

Excess body weight, particularly around the waist, increases the demand on the heart to pump blood throughout the body, raising blood pressure.

Incorporating at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling, can significantly lower blood pressure and help shed extra pounds.

Consistency is key; integrating physical activity into the daily routine not only improves cardiovascular health but also helps manage stress, which is another contributing factor to hypertension.

Finally, long-term prevention requires addressing key lifestyle habits beyond diet and exercise. Managing stress through techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or adequate sleep is vital, as chronic stress can temporarily raise blood pressure and encourage unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Furthermore, limiting alcohol consumption to moderation (no more than one drink per day for women and two for men) is essential, as heavy drinking is known to raise blood pressure and reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

Most critically, not smoking or quitting immediately is a non-negotiable step, as tobacco damages the lining of blood vessel walls, accelerating the hardening of arteries and drastically increasing the risk for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

CAY HILL:---  On Saturday, September 27^th, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), in collaboration with the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, hosted its annual Men’s Health Day, providing free health screenings for 150 men. Participants were tested for prostate cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV, underscoring the importance of early detection and prevention.

The event was made possible through partnerships with St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), NAPA Auto, Truck and Marine Parts, SZV Insurances, Guardian Group Dutch Caribbean, FLOW EC, and the SXM AIDS Foundation.

SMMC’s urologists, Dr. Carlos Rojas, Dr. Diego Ramos, and the Urology Department’s newest urologist, Dr. Francisco Pinto, led the prostate cancer screenings. They were joined by local General Practitioner, Dr. Adacia Bourne and SMMC House Officer Dr. Marieke Mensink-Boomsma, who volunteered their time to support this critical initiative.

To ensure accessibility, men were required to complete a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in advance at community screening events on September 5^th and 12^th at NAPA on the Illidge Road and in Cole Bay. While most local insurance providers cover PSA testing, SMMC and its partners ensured that uninsured men also received the test at no cost, thanks to an ongoing partnership with SLS. Men who required further evaluation were able to schedule follow-up appointments at SMMC’s Urology Clinic or Radiology Department.

“Every year, this event continues to grow,” said SMMC’s Senior Communications Officer and event organizer, Shari de Riggs. “This success is largely due to the tireless advocacy of our Urologists, Dr. Ramos, Dr. Rojas, and Dr. Pinto, combined with the ongoing efforts of the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations and local champions Mr. Michael Ferrier and Mr. Gordon Snow, particularly during the month of September.”

“This event is one of the many ways SMMC gives back to the community,” de Riggs added. “It would not be possible without our dedicated staff volunteers from our Outpatient Department and Social Committee and our corporate partners, including SLS, NAPA, SZV, Guardian Group, FLOW, and the SXM AIDS Foundation.”

Appointments at SMMC’s Urology Department can be made by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 or 910 ext. 1379 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). PSA testing is available year-round at any SLS location.

Looking ahead, SMMC will host its annual Women’s Health Day on Saturday, October 25th, offering free breast cancer screenings and additional health checks in collaboration with the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, Guardian Insurances, SZV, FLOW, the American University of the Caribbean and the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams recently provided a comprehensive overview of the latest Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), outlining key discussions and decisions while expressing significant concern over the Dutch government's recent actions regarding the Kingdom's dispute regulation.

A major procedural change highlighted by Wescot-Williams is the new commitment to follow up on decisions from previous IPKO sessions. This measure aims to address what she described as a long-standing lack of continuity, ensuring that agreements made by the four parliaments of the Kingdom are tracked and implemented.

Geopolitical developments, particularly those affecting the Dutch Caribbean, were a central theme. Wescot-Williams noted the "alarming picture" presented to the delegations, stressing the critical need for parliaments to receive timely and direct information on foreign affairs and defense, which are the Kingdom's responsibilities.

The IPKO also addressed the Council of State's report concerning the 70th anniversary of the Kingdom Charter. While the St. Maarten government has formally responded to the council's recommendations, Wescot-Williams indicated that a parliamentary debate on the matter is still pending.

Another critical topic was the aging population across the Kingdom. Wescot-Williams highlighted the value of data and trend analysis from the Netherlands, suggesting that this information could be crucial for Caribbean countries to plan effectively for the demographic shift.

Prior to the main consultation, a tripartite meeting was held between St. Maarten, Aruba, and Curaçao. During this meeting, the countries finalized a letter of support for the BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba), signaling a unified stance on regional concerns.

However, a significant point of contention emerged regarding the dispute regulation. Wescot-Williams expressed dismay that the Dutch government abruptly rejected a draft proposal that had been agreed upon by the Caribbean countries. This move contradicts a previous statement from the Dutch State Secretary on May 23, which called for a joint position on the matter. Wescot-Williams called the reversal "remarkable" and formally questioned the Prime Minister about the sudden change in direction.

"Don't let us lose focus based on what the Dutch government is doing," she urged her colleagues, emphasizing the importance of continuing to work at the parliamentary level.

On a related note, Wescot-Williams mentioned her participation in two side events at the United Nations just before the IPKO, where she advocated for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on the advancement of women.

Looking ahead, she outlined a busy schedule for St. Maarten's Parliament. Upcoming meetings will address pressing local issues, including the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS), the situation at utilities company GEBE, and the continuation of debate on the basic bank account law.