Dan declined to state the cost of the procedure. While such surgery is usually done for weight-loss, he said stomach-reduction surgery may offer the benefit of curbing diabetes in patients, and is thus recommended by many diabetes associations worldwide. However, he also said this surgery also can cause a lot of sudden metabolic changes to the body.

For example, the surgery increases the sensitivity of the pancreas, whereby a person can be exposed to a precipitous drop in their blood sugar level.

Dan said TT has the most deaths from non communicable diseases in the Caribbean. Further, TT’s rising tide of obesity makes it the world’s third most obese nation, with a quarter of deaths due to heart disease.

Earlier Dan spoke of robotic surgery, which he said can be carried out over the internet by a surgeon who is separated by miles from the surgical blade, each even possibly being separated by the Atlantic Ocean. He listed the advantages of robotic surgery as being the greater precision and great flexibility of the wrist motions, plus the 3-d, high definition images. “It can work in really difficult spaces,” he said.

However Gill said the disadvantages were the equipment’s initial high cost of $1 million, and the $1 million annual cost of maintenance.

He traced how surgery had evolved over years from procedures that left large scars, to those using multiple small points of entry called ports), to single port surgery, to natural orifice surgery (using mouth, anus, vagina or stomach), and to robotic surgery.

“He was well aware of the problems within NTAC,” Roget told reporters during an interview outside Tower C of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre.

However, Roget was not totally dismissive of the Prime Minister’s call for dialogue.

“We are committed to dialogue and tripartism,” he said.

However, Roget stressed for dialogue to be successful, labour must sit at the table “as an equal to the other partners.” Roget said the issue in the economic circumstances facing the country was, “How do we really reset the clock in terms of the sharing of the burden of adjustment?” He said JTUM would not accept holding discussions with Government and the business community, while workers were being sent home. Roget did not think NTAC was a failed experiment.

However, he believed Government “did not live up to its responsibility” when NTAC was launched last March.

Roget said the labour movement’s call last Friday to Rowley for a meeting in two weeks time, remained on the table. Asked what labour would do if Rowley did not heed that call, Roget quipped, “Stay tuned and fasten your seat belts.”

Kyle contributed 19 to guide Surrey One Stop to 87 for four batting first against CSK. Ricky Benjamin top scored with 34 for Surrey One Stop, while Ronaldo Ramoutar chipped in with 12. Yaasir Mohammed was the chief wicket taker for CSK snatching three for 22.

In reply, CSK could only muster 47/9 in their 12 overs as Kyle grabbed 4/13. Marcus Chandool was also among the wickets taking 2/7, while Christopher Vincent scored 11 for CSK but Surrey One Stop prevailed by 40 runs.

Among the other teams recording crushing wins were 90.5 Bamboo All Stars, Culture, BBM and Wreckin Crew.

SUMMARISED SCORES 90.5 BAMBOO ALL STARS 102/8 (Ravindra Singh 40, Shankar Singh 11; Sunil Sanasie 4/8) vs LEGENDS 39 (Kirk Alfred 3/17, Daniel Mason 3/16). Bamboo All Stars won by 63 runs.

4 AND A COMBINED FORCE 69/5 (Bertram James 27, Rodney Stowe 18; Balkie Singh 2/14) vs CULTURE 74/2 (Newlin Paul 17, Ray Badall 16). Culture won by eight wickets.

SURREY ONE STOP 87/4 (Ricky Benjamin 34, Kyle Ramoutar 19, Ronaldo Ramoutar 12; Yaasir Mohammed 3/22) vs CSK 47/9 (Christopher Vincent 11; K Ramoutar 4/13, Marcus Chandool 2/7).

Surrey One Stop won by 40 runs.

YOUNG GUNS 81 (Kishore Seeboo 39; Kevin Rambarran 3/11, Damian Peters 3/18) vs SUICIDAL CREW 85/5 (Kevin Rambarran 34, Jimmy Singh 15; Darrien Maharaj 2/9). Suicidal Crew won by five wickets.

RAMPAGE 43 (Rishi Bharatsingh 13; Kaveer Maraj 3/6, Derrick Jaglal 3/11, Andy Goseyn 2/7) vs BBM 44/2 (Steve Alfonso 17, Amit Rampersad 11). BBM won by eight wickets.

ACONO YOUTHS 66 (Gregory Quevedo 14, Fazeer Hosein 13; Kalim Bissessar 3/7, Allister Mungroo 2/8, Christopher McConnie 2/4) vs GABBA YOUTHS 47 (Kiron Bruce 3/9, Ryan Saroop 2/9, Gregory Quevedo 2/9). Acono Youths won by 19 runs.

LANCE’S BAR BRING DRINKS 84/6 (Amrit Seepersad 19, Abid Emamalie 11, Mickey Joseph 10; Roger Millian 4/8) vs VALLEY BOYZ 67 (Sheldon Thomas 24; Ricky Ali 2/15). Lance’s Bar Bring Drinks won by 17 runs.

TALPARO YOUTHS 47 (Dane Williams 15, Dillon Mata 12; Clint Dookree 3/8) vs WRECKIN CREW 50/1 (Ravi Saith 20, Ravi Naidoo 13). Wreckin Crew won by nine wickets.

TIGERS 74/6 (Rowdell Tracey 23, Rene Medina 15; Allan Baboolal 2/10) vs CULTURE 31 (Ryan Bissoon 2/6). Tigers won by 43 runs.

BLUFFUZZ 71/5 (Stephon Reyes 18, Shane Ottway 16, Mohan Kampat 11) vs CLUB HOUSE 72/7 (Reynold Roach 21, Keith Ramasray 18) Club House won by three wickets.

MORE FIRE 74/4 (Anderson Richardson 28, Trevor Mohammed 14; Augustus Ali 2/21) vs EL DORADO VILLAGE 75/1 (Hospedales Singh 30, Dennis Jadoo 23, A Ali 13). El Dorado won by nine wickets.

FIVE RIVERS 63/6 (Tevon Jadoo 17, Chevorn Griffith 13; Terry Ramnarine 2/7) vs D BOSS TEAM 45/7 (T Jadoo 2/4, Stephan Ramkissoon 2/12) Five Rivers won by 18 runs.

“It’s pretty good so far (at Connection),” said the 26-year-old Point Fortin-born Joseph.

“I’ve learned so much more under (Connection) coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier and it has opened up my mind a lot more to the game.

He is very (patient) in teaching the game so you can understand it a lot more.” Joseph, who split with serial champions Central earlier this year, joined Connection in pre-season after a lengthy absence from the game due to a fallout with the “Couva Sharks”. But it didn’t take long under the guidance of the Connection coaching staff for the 2013/14 Golden Boot winner to shake off the rust.

With arguably one the deadliest left foot in the Pro League, Joseph scored the winning items in Connection’s opening wins against St Ann’s Rangers (1-0) and Point Fortin Civic (2-1).

“The ambition is to help Connection win the League,” said Joseph.

“I want to do all that I can for the team. I want to also win most goals this season but the ambition of the team comes first.

So if I think a teammate is in a better position to score I will offer the chance to that person like I did in the games I haven’t scored this season.

“It may not always be the best decision, but I am working on improving my decision making up front as well as my scoring.

We are all working on improving as a team at Connection and with a little more gelling and improvement on our finishing in front of goal, I think we can go on to win the league.” Trinidad and Tobago coach, Dennis Lawrence, who took up the post in January, is yet to call on the Connection forward but Joseph is determined to earn his pick.

Lawrence is assisted by Joseph’s current club coach, Fevrier, Central FC assistant coach Stern John, and former Central coach Ross Russell.

“I will get there (on the national team) again,” Joseph said. “I am motivated at club level to do well and improve my play in front of goal and in scoring. Although I am not around the national team right now, I am supporting the team and the coaches to do well. We have a lot of good players at the national level and the coach (Lawrence) knows what he is looking for.

“He is seeing what I am not, so it’s up to me to continue working harder at improving my game and (hopefully) I can be part of the team for the remaining World Cup qualifiers to help my country try and qualify (Russia 2018).”

(ttproleague.com)

Today, we highlight the gorgeous purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus).

What makes this bird so beautiful? Imagine a blue chicken. The waterman, as it is known in rural areas, is primarily purplish-blue and green in its appearance with boldly contrasting yellow legs and white tail feathers. Equally contrasting is the light blue area (known as the frontal shield) just above its red beak. The overall combination of colours makes for a stunningly attractive bird. Of course, the younger birds need to remain camouflaged from predators and so are drab brown.

But despite its beauty, not many people know about the purple gallinule. This might have a lot to do with its choice of habitat.

Gallinules favour densely vegetated freshwater areas where they can quickly hide if they perceive a threat. If you take an early morning drive through suitable habitat, such as the former rice-producing areas of the South Oropouche Lagoon, you are likely to see several gallinules perched atop the marsh plants (only to stealthily retreat into cover on your approach).

Sometime they fly awkwardly, low to the ground, from bush to bush. If the bush happens to be on the other side of a road, this sometimes puts gallinules in the path of oncoming traffic and it is not uncommon to see the occasional roadside corpse as a result.

But don’t let these weak, short flights fool you – when gallinules set out to fly longer distances they are quite capable. This has helped the purple gallinule to establish a presence from Florida right down to Argentina. If you cannot see them, you are likely to tell there are gallinule about by their curious calls which could be described as a nasal clucking (sound is a useful way for animals that live in dense vegetation to keep in contact with one another). The gallinule’s diet of seeds and water plants means it is usually never far from vegetation.

The waterman’s vegetarian diet, unfortunately, sometimes results in it going after the farmer’s garden for more exotic fare such as ochro, bodi or plantains.

Why are they so cautious? Such a plump bird makes for an attractive target and gallinules are regularly hunted during the open season (and occasionally poached during the closed season). In times gone by gallinules were even considered an agricultural pest and large numbers were killed. Thankfully, this mass culling has since ended.

Besides the waterman, Trinidad and Tobago is home to two other species of gallinule. The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is very similar in shape and size but is dark slate grey. Unlike the waterman, it is often seen swimming like a duck and can be found in similar habitats throughout the country. The other gallinule is the ultra-secretive azure gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris), which is a bit smaller than the purple gallinule and is light blue in colour.

This species is rarely detected and only reliably seen in the eastern rice growing districts such as Kernahan and Plum Mitan (occasional sightings have been made elsewhere on both islands).

While the gallinules populations are robust at the moment, they are vulnerable to one major threat – habitat loss. Old rice lagoons, swampland and other marshlands across our country are slowly being backfilled in the name of “development”. These birds depend entirely upon these areas to survive and the continual loss of freshwater wetlands will place significant pressure on the populations of waterman and other wildlife that utilise this ecosystem.

As a nation we need to ensure that these habitats are preserved so that future generations may continue to experience this true beauty of the marshes.

For more information on our natural environment, contact the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club at admin@ttfnc.org or visit our website at www.ttfnc.org and our Facebook or YouTube pages. The club’s next monthly meeting will be held today at St Mary’s College, Port-of-Spain.

Lecture: The Stick Insects of TT by Avion Phillips.

I find it unfair when you try to get someone on their land line and the phone keeps ringing, money is being deducted from your cellphone. I used to think money is deducted when contact is made and the conversation begins. Is this part of their new thrust towards millions in profitability? It is high time TSTT please explain if this is fairplay? Judging from the litany of complaints I hear and read about TSTT services, there is room for improvements on several fronts. Complaining to the regulatory body, the Telecommunications Authority, is a waste of time because you keep talking to an answering machine.

Keith Anderson Santa Cruz

The event, which featured several models with disabilities, not only focused on raising funds for the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities but also aimed to elevate the spirit and self-esteem of those represented by the centre. Langaigne, a key member of the HDRTT responsible for co-ordinating the initiative, pointed towards the group’s passion for representing all members of society as an inspiration for the undertaking.

Acknowledging that at times a level playing field does not exist for members of society with disabilities, he expressed hope at the possibility that the initiatives held under the funds raised will contribute towards increased awareness for persons with disabilities. Displayed at the fashion show, were pieces carried by 212, Trendy Kids and other clothing stores.

Langaigne was grateful for the support that the event attracted and said in addition to what is already being done, there is always room for greater strides to be made for all to have access to equal benefits and opportunities of empowerment.

He said the different shades of colours incorporated in the fashion pieces mirrored the diversity of those that use the outlet daily.

With plans of making the fashion extravaganza an annual staple, Langaigne also hinted at events being planned to; honour Cancer Awareness month, incorporate Tobago into the events of the HDRTT and recognise global days such as the Day of Peace.

He said the HRDTT prides itself as a beacon for advocating human rights in TT and the wider Caribbean community. Its intentions as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) are to work with other organisations, groups and individuals alike, who possess the desire to combat human rights abuses and alleviate the plight of those that are without a voice.

Moreover, it is also the aim of the organisation to collect statistical data on the main causes of human rights issues in TT that can help in the decision-making process that would eliminate these issues.

The NGO, through this event, was able to source donations valued at an estimated $5,000 for the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, from corporate sponsors and partners

The Anglican Church, with its British roots, has had a centuries-long presence in TT and its adherents have been some of our most influential sons and daughters of the soil. Among them are Audrey Jeffers, who established the Coterie of Social Workers and the late former prime minister Patrick Manning.

The residence of the Anglican Bishop at Hayes Court remains one of the illustrious members of the Magnificent Seven, while the Bishop Anstey Association Schools, among them, Bishop Anstey High School, St Stephen’s and Bishops High School in Scarborough remain some of the country’s most respected educational institutions.

“Planted for the spiritual development and nurturing of the nation,” says Reverend Marsha Joseph, Rector of the parish for the past four years. She says the church, as a force of good, “not only in prayers but in works and deeds,” promotes the “social aspect of looking after the people (which) comes with the Christian faith.” St Mary’s Children’s Home in Tacarigua, initially founded to care for the orphaned children of indentured labourers, as well as St Michael’s Home for Boys in Diego Martin also began as initiatives of the Anglican Church in Trinidad and Tobago.

But for all their good efforts, many of these churches, whose followers remain faithful, have fallen prey to the passage of time, with a number of their structures falling into disrepair, or their treasuries finding themselves insufficient to fulfil the needs of the church and of the communities that they serve. The Parish of St Agnes in St James is one such church.

Having occupied its current spot on Clarence Street since 1929, with a previous location higher up along the Western Main Road only a few years prior, the parish is extremely well-known, and has become a monument of sorts in the ever- bustling St James. And as society changes, the church, even with all its required constancy, must continue to strive in its never-ending efforts to adapt to the needs of a changing people.

Over the next few years, the parish aims to construct a multi-purpose centre to replace the current rectory and parish office on its relatively small compound. As one of its fundraising initiatives the church will host Ah St James Ting, a cultural celebration of the lively district’s food, music and history, on August 12 at the church’s compound, 20 Clarence Street, St James. Newsday spoke with the Reverand Joseph on the developing venture.

These days, many of the older churches receive little to no assistance from larger entities and thus, are charged with the responsibility of raising their own funds to be able to maintain their domestic and community efforts. Joseph speaks of this self-sufficiency to the end of “not only maintaining our plant, but to continue the work of evangelism and outreach, the organisation of seminars and programmes for the parents of the school.” St Agnes Anglican Primary School has educated some of the country’s cultural icons, among them, Pelham Goddard and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.

In the spirit of St James as the “city that never sleeps”, Ah St James Ting will include an open air concert and walk-in museum, showcasing the history of St James from the 1950s through to the 1970s.

Soulful crooner, Jason “Fridge” Seecharan; soca parang queen, Marcia Miranda; 2016 Calypso Monarch, Devon Seales; Lydians soloist, tenor Kory Mendez, accompanied by composer and pianist, Astra Noel; and Scrunters Pan Groove are among the diverse lineup of acts, which will include music representing all facets of St James’ eclectic culture and then some.

The walk-in museum will feature displays that include artifacts from the period – utensils, furniture, etc. An hourlong documentary featuring first-hand accounts of some of St James’ longest residents, filmed especially for the event, will also be screened. Local delicacies will also be on sale.

For more information, contact 628-2885, 716-0839 or 779-0089.

“Trust that the issues will be dealt with assiduously and most diligently if they are as serious as claimed,” Stewart told Newsday. He said the prison officers should have confidence in new Commissioner of Prisons William Alexander to do what is required.

Ceron Richards, the POA’s president, said the association is hopeful the safety concerns at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca would be addressed.

“There has been failure with some of the gates and there is no alarm system at the prison,” Richards said.

“Officers are very concerned.” He said although the issues have been “on the table” for a while, the POA will remain “ever vigilant.” Richards also said some officers at the prison have gotten ill because of stress. He said the unsolved safety concerns have aroused an atmosphere of fear with the officers and their attendance and performance have been “undermined” as a result.

Calls made by Newsday to Alexander went unanswered yesterday.

Ifill, of Marabella, reappeared before Fifth Court magistrate Kerianne Byer yesterday.

Prosecutor Sgt Ian Sylvan told the magistrate Ifill is not a member of any police youth club.

Sylvan said after Ifill’s first appearance and the subsequent media coverage caused problems, as it relates to sponsorship, for the Marabella Police Youth Club she claimed to be affiliated with.

Her attorney Frank Gittens apologised on her behalf saying sometimes the fear of being in court makes people say things they should not be saying.

Gittens said Ifill’s mother visited his office yesterday morning, prior to the start of court, and informed him that her daughter was not associated with the club. He said he intended to inform the court but the prosecutor managed to do so first.

The Police Service, in a statement issued yesterday, said the club’s secretary and leader, since its inception in 2011, is PC Vanessa Noel.

Ifill was charged together with her boyfriend Jason Williams, 25, and Lynte Prime, 25, by PC Mohammed.

Police arrested the trio on August 2 after intercepting and searching a car they were in at Lady Hailes Avenue in San Fernando.

It is alleged police found a Beretta pistol and 16 rounds of ammunition.

Ifill and Williams pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sums of $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to September 6 and transferred it to the Second Court.

However, Prime had asked for a maximum sentence indication before he entered a plea. Yesterday Prime pleaded guilty and Gittens submitted that his client had no previous convictions and had the weapon to protect himself. Gittens said Prime was remorseful.

Byer sentenced him to 12 months in prison with hard labour on the gun charge and nine months in prison with hard labour for the ammunition charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.