Staff Writer

#St.KittsandNevis, August 5, 2023 – Kidney transplant surgeries will soon be offered in St. Kitts and Nevis as announced by Prime Minister Terrance Drew.

This development is a big one for the country’s health system and so it will provide kidney transplant services to citizens who are unable to travel overseas to acquire said services.  This was emphasized by Drew during the announcement at the Freedom FM’s Issues program held on Wednesday July 26th, 2023.

“These people are dying sooner than they should because they don’t have access to transplants.  I cannot allow our people to die when we have an opportunity to save their lives,” he highlighted.

Additionally, despite the country’s efforts to enhance health services for kidney patients, he urged residents to make better choices and take better care of their bodies adopting healthier habits such as frequent exercise, having balanced diets, maintaining blood pressure  and sugar levels etc.

But for those who fail to do so and fall victim to kidney ailments, he expressed that the aim is to have a something in place to help them.

“We want to make sure that they have an option for renal transplant and we are going to launch the renal transplant program.”

The kidney transplant surgeries will be provided at the country’s principal healthcare facility, the Joseph N France General Hospital.

In continuation, Drew further spoke to a team which will at some point in the near future, visit St. Kitts and Nevis from Canada to provide specialized training to the Haemodialysis Unit’s staff, to up the use of the recently acquired dialysis machines, further strengthening the nation’s fight against kidney diseases.

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, February 11, 2023 – History was made in St Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, as the first female Governor General was sworn in.  Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP became the nation’s fifth governor-general, after taking the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance.

The ceremony took place at Government House where guests, including Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, were in attendance.  Drew made a congratulatory post for Liburd on his Facebook page.

The Governor General will be installed at the Government House on February 4, 2023.

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, December 23, 2022 – A ‘ring’ involving illegal marriages with a possible link to human trafficking has been exposed by the authorities in St Kitts and Nevis.  Prime Minister, Dr. Terrance Drew announced in Parliament that members of the Spanish community are obtaining their citizenship and voting rights through this ring.

Drew explained that while some marriages are genuine, many only do it for the money. Once they are married, these individuals fly to the country where they receive their certificate of citizenship and are paid a sum of money to be included in the voter’s list.  The Prime Minister revealed that many divorces and remarry repeatedly to receive more money.

“I went to a meeting with the [Spanish] Community and they have legitimate concerns, which we have to address because, as was said, we cannot treat people less than human; but at the same time, every country must have rules, laws and regulations as I said to them,” Drew said.

He told Parliament that “It’s a whole ring where we were even being questioned to be part of human trafficking. Madam Speaker, people have to be responsible for these things. Our country was going down the drain.”

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, December 14, 2022 – With MSR Media having a lineup of eight movies already filmed in St Kitts and Nevis and another one, Strictly Confidential, currently being shot in Nevis, the twin island is well on its way to becoming one of the top film destinations in the Caribbean.

According to the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, four movies have already been released.  These are Assailant, Christmas in the Caribbean, Christmas in Paradise, and  A Week in Paradise.

The other four, One Year Off, Us or Them, The Island, and Black Noise, are scheduled to be released in 2023.

In addition, three other films, First Law, Fast Sea, and Paradise Peak, are in the preparation stages to be produced in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2023.

The most recently released film, Christmas in the Caribbean, premiered on Sunday, December 11, in St. Kitts.

While speaking at a media briefing before the movie premiere on Sunday, Chief Producer at MSR Media SKN, Philippe Martinez, said his company’s work in St. Kitts and Nevis over nearly two years has been successful.

“MSR Media arrived 22 months ago in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. In 22 months, we have produced nine films, two short films which have made this country already the third destination for film in the Caribbean,” Martinez said.

Martinez also noted that the country was being recognized internationally as a film destination.

“Last week, I got a call from one of the biggest film creators and directors on the planet who has created one of the biggest franchises on the planet.  And he called me and said, ‘Philippe I have to tell you, I’ve been rating for the last year what you guys are doing in St. Kitts and Nevis.  It has inspired me, and I wrote a script for St. Kitts do you mind if I come to see you?  I would love for you to produce it over there.

“That means what we have done with our team – our team in Nevis, our team in St. Kitts – has already attracted a studio in Hollywood who understands that now this country is a major player in the business of producing movies,” Martinez stated.

Prime Minister Terrance Drew, while expressing his appreciation to Martinez and his team, said St Kitts and Nevis will develop a film industry.

“I want to thank Philippe for really coming through on what we had discussed sometime before that St. Kitts and Nevis must become part of the film industry, and right on these two beautiful islands, we will develop a movie industry as well. And so, he has embarked, and he has delivered and continues to deliver, and today we have this great movie, Christmas in the Caribbean,” the Prime Minister said.

Christmas in the Caribbean is now available for all to watch.

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, December 9, 2022 – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced the approval of the payment of a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) dividend to its citizens and residents.

The CBI dividend is a share of the profits and retained earnings received from the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

In a statement on December 8, the government said the dividend will be facilitated through the Saint Christopher and Nevis Social Security and will be distributed in two tiers or categories. The first category is the pensionable and pensioners, and the second category is classified as those who are not yet pensionable.

The government also noted that the policy is a commitment made to the people of St Kitts and Nevis by the Drew administration.

“This is a new policy implemented by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis as a commitment to the Dr. Terrance Drew lead St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration’s campaign pledge to the citizens and residents of the Federation.

Staff Writer

#StKittsandNevis, November 29, 2022 – The twin island of St Kitts and Nevis is about to chart its busiest cruise seasons yet as the world’s largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, made its inaugural call to Port Zante in the country on Thursday, November 24.

About 6,495 guests arrived on the ship, with 2,259 crew members on board.

The oasis class ship was welcomed by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who led a delegation on board last Thursday to host a brief plaque exchange ceremony.

“You have confidence in the destination by adding St Kitts and Nevis to your now largest vessel, the Wonder of the Seas, with a passenger capacity of 6,988,” the Prime Minister said.

The Chief Executive Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Mr. Ellison Thompson, said the ship’s visit was a result of the country’s comprehensive negotiations with stakeholders.

“The destination’s ability to secure a vessel with a 6,495-passenger capacity today, November 24, is the result of comprehensive negotiations between the Ministry, the Authority, and cruise lines. As a result, we are gradually seeing the fruits of our marketing and strategic efforts, and we take pride in celebrating such a momentous occasion,” Thompson said.