Sint Maarten. Justice Academy Cadets thanked by Minister De Weever

Justice Academy cadets were thanked last week Friday by the Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever (4th from left) for their assistance in the country’s campaign to combat mosquito breeding sites. Also in the picture is staff from CPS along with officials from the Justice Academy. DCOMM Photo

Last week Friday the Collective Preventive Services (CPS) of the Ministry Public Health, Social Development and Labour organized a meeting with cadets from the Justice Academy who were recognized and thanked by the Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Hon. Cornelius de Weever, for their cooperation and assistance with a field survey which is being carried out to determine a baseline on risk areas for mosquito breeding.

“I know the cadets were faced with and saw first-hand the infrastructural challenges and lack of proper addresses.  When they graduate they must understand the reality in the field and the role they will be playing in making Sint Maarten a better place,” Minister Hon. Cornelius de Weever said on Monday.

The cadets assisted in surveying several districts that included St. Peters, South Reward, Ebenezer, Betty’s Estate, Saunders and Mary’s Fancy, A.Th. Illidge Road, Belair, Fort Willem, Pond Island, Sucker Garden, Madame Estate, Bush Road, Long Wall Road, Walter Nisbeth Road, Cannegieter Street, Backstreet and Frontstreet.

Minister De Weever would also like to thank Head of the Department of Inspections Martha Thewet for arranging the transportation logistics as well as bus drivers Connor, Van Putten and Bell for transporting the cadets to the different areas. 

A thank you also goes out to Heavenly Water for providing water; Carl & Sons who provided snacks and lunches, and the media for creating awareness surrounding the survey.

The results of the survey will allow for additional attention to be paid to those risk areas by vector control staff.  The Government has been working with public health officials from the French side as well to eliminate mosquito breeding areas due to the presence of dengue and chikungunya on the island.