Health officials have found “no evidence of rodent infestation” at the General Post Office, Postmaster General Joann Busby has insisted, contradicting claims that prompted a union leader to advise workers to stay home over safety concerns. Busby strongly refuted the allegations, revealing that preventative cleaning measures were already planned for the weekend.

The head of the Unity Workers Union, Caswell Franklyn, said he had received complaints of rodent infestation on Wednesday and Thursday.

Franklyn had advised workers to refrain from reporting to their stations due to health and safety concerns but Busby insisted in a statement late Friday that workers need not be concerned.

Busby explained that management became aware of staff concerns about the possible presence of vermin yesterday and moved promptly to address the matter. Michelle Walrond, deputy postmaster general for operations and personnel, met with the staff and toured the area. As a result of the concerns expressed by staff members, out of an abundance of caution they were restricted from the area.

Busby said janitors were asked to wipe down the work surfaces and a professional cleaning firm was contacted to provide the necessary cleaning service in the area of concern. This was undertaken and staff, who remained sceptical on Friday were so advised by the senior postal superintendent of mails, Gracie Stephens-Nelson, who was on-site during the cleaning process.

This was followed by a meeting held by Cecil Benjamin, deputy postmaster general for international postal affairs and business development, with the assembled staff members to address their concerns.

Given that the GPO in Cheapside is surrounded by a fresh-produce market and several canteens – bait stations were located throughout the building. Busby said.

She added that in light of the staff concerns additional traps were set, and disputed the claims.

Busby said in a statement: “The allegations of the dead rodents around the building as a result, are completely erroneous. It seems that Mr Franklin was incorrectly informed. Moreover, management had already made arrangements for the industrial cleaning to take place on the weekend of March 22 and 23, 2025, to ensure that employees return to a safe and sanitary working environment on March 24, 2025. information of which Mr. Franklin was also unaware given his public statements.”

The postmaster general insisted that the safety and wellbeing of all postal workers are very important to this management team, saying: “We focus on resolving problems, once they are brought to our attention.”

Busby disclosed that a team from the Ministry of Health led by Principal Environmental Officer Lena Prescod as well as vector control officers from the Vector Control Unit visited the General Post Office for an inspection, following which Elly Holford, vector control officer, said that there was “no evidence of rodent infestation”.

Busby added that “in the interest of the peace of mind of our staff”, a Ministry of Health official is expected to visit the General Post Office Monday morning before staff members return to their stations.

“We are most grateful to them and Vector Control for their prompt response and their invaluable assistance in resolving this matter,” the postmaster general said in her statement. (BT)

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Rome.- The Dominican Republic presented its historic success in eradicating the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) from Punta Cana to the Standards Committee (SCC) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The achievement was shared with 190 plant health directors from member countries.

Led by Ambassador Ana Francisca de Asís Hernández, Plant Health Director Rosa Lazala, and technician Rosalba Rodríguez, the Dominican delegation highlighted the rapid eradication—completed in just 290 days—thanks to a skilled technical team and international support from organizations like OIRSA, FAO, IAEA, APHIS-USDA, and SENASICA. The infestation had previously cost the country its exports in 2015, but swift action under President Luis Abinader and Minister Limber Cruz ensured effective containment.

This marks the first time the Dominican Republic has presented a success story to the SCC at the FAO. The country is now among the first 14 nations to eliminate the pest and one of the few to achieve it twice.

The Ministry of Education invites the public to wear mismatched socks tomorrow, Friday, 21 March to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day

View the full post Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with mismatched socks on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Agriculture has issued resolution RES-MARD-2025-10, mandating that the handling of international waste at ports and airports be strictly managed by the Plant and Animal Quarantine authorities and the General Directorate of Livestock. Effective March 6, the regulation establishes strict procedures for the disposal of food waste from airplanes and other transport vehicles.

Government technicians at terminals are authorized to enforce compliance, applying sanctions or suspensions when necessary. The protocol aligns with international standards and national laws, including Law 4030 on Livestock Health Protection and Law 4990 on Plant Health.

Minister Limber Cruz emphasized that the measure aims to enhance the country’s biosecurity and prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. All international waste will be sterilized and incinerated at designated facilities under strict supervision.

Guyana is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) application for malaria testing, aiming to eradicate the disease, according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony. He announced the initiative at the launch of the Universal Healthcare Voucher, saying that it was being executed through a collaboration with Harvard University. The app, already tested in Region Nine with ...

Guyana is awaiting results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to ascertain whether there has been an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said the tests are to confirm that the pathogen is in Guyana. Sources said a school on ...

Dajabón.- Pig farmers in El Pino, Dajabón, are alarmed by a mysterious disease that has killed hundreds of pigs, raising fears of a resurgence of African swine fever. The illness spreads rapidly, with symptoms including apathy, loss of appetite, vomiting blood, and sudden death despite medical treatment. Farmers report severe financial losses, with some losing over 300,000 pesos.

Authorities have sent a veterinary team to investigate the outbreak. The situation is reminiscent of the 2021 African swine fever crisis, which devastated the region’s pig industry. While the disease is deadly for pigs, it does not pose a risk to humans. Farmers are urging the government to take swift action to contain the outbreak and prevent further economic damage.

Santo Domingo.- By 2030, an estimated 68% of Dominican adults will have a high body mass index, with 32% living with obesity, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2025 report. Giselle Escaño, president of the Dominican Association for the Study of Obesity (Asodeo), emphasized the serious health challenges this poses, urging authorities to strengthen prevention policies. Key strategies include awareness campaigns, regulating sugary drinks, and promoting physical activity.

Dr. Luis Cruz highlighted economic barriers to healthy eating, stressing the need for education and accessible nutrition. Preventive health initiatives, such as the recent event at the Cruz Jiminián Clinic, aim to address obesity and related conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The operation included medical evaluations, nutritional counseling, and psychological support to promote a comprehensive approach to obesity prevention.

Government statistics show that 70.1% of Dominican adults were overweight or obese in 2021, with rising rates among children and adolescents, especially in private schools. Experts warn that obesity can lead to over 200 complications, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The initiative, supported by INABIE and World Television, is part of World Obesity Day efforts, expecting to assist 200–300 participants in improving their health.

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday inked a US$3.3 million agreement with the United Kingdom-headquartered RioMed Limited to establish an electronic health records (EHR) system that would be accessible across all public healthcare providers to allow doctors to more efficiently treat patients. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony again warned those who would access the EHR ...

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Barbados TODAY highlighted women working in various fields – from health to telecoms, from development to politics – as they share their sources of success and triumph over challenges they have encountered. Here is an interview with Rachel DeGale, CEO of BioConnect Medical Centre, about her journey.

When it comes to women’s health, Rachel DeGale is comfortable with the taboo.

After spending nearly two decades in fertility health, Rachel is now the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of BioConnect Medical Centre, a game-changing health and wellness facility that focusses on holistic perimenopause and menopause treatments. Dr. Roberta Corona is the other co-founder and Medical Director.

“Any woman that has the privilege of aging is going to go through menopause. Some women are going to sail through it, and some women are going to really struggle, but at the end of the day, you don’t get a medal for slogging it through! You can’t make it to the finish line by not reaching out and getting help.”

To spend a minute with Rachel is to know she is dynamic, passionate and driven to do the best she can for their clients. So perhaps it was no surprise when she shared her own issues with reaching out for help during her ongoing battle with perimenopause.

The 47-year-old credits her turnaround to Dr. Corona’s support and treatment as well as working with the “best team ever.”
How does she think they would describe her as a leader? Firm, but fair.

“I have learned that how I lead apparently is quite unique. I don’t believe as women in leadership… that we have to be boisterous; we don’t have to be ‘little men’. I do believe that we can be authentically who we are as people. I remember my old boss used to say all that time that trust is earned, and she was absolutely correct in that you have to earn your team’s trust. How do you do that? You have their back, from the little details of knowing what’s happening in their life to the big things.”

Rachel believes accelerating action comes from education and awareness about women’s health at all stages and phases. And perhaps that is what allows you to be excited about what’s next.

“When people are talking about menopause they can come with a shroud of negativity, and it doesn’t have to be like that. There are solutions out there.”

This article appeared in the March 8 International Women’s Day Magazine by Barbados Today. View the magazine here.

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