Whatever choice you make, keep in mind that promoting health and wellness along with appropriate practical approaches can be incorporated within households, communities, schools, business and faith-based organisations.

Health promotion remains relevant at the local, regional, and international levels.

Studies show that chronic non-communicable diseases negatively impact health, can affect one’s quality of life, and overall contribute to death. In TT , heart disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease together contribute to more than 60 percent of all deaths; the mortality distribution indicated heart disease (25.75 percent), malignant neoplasm (13.75 percent), diabetes mellitus (13.6 percent) and cerebrovascular (9.1 percent). The contributory factors included obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels, and tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse. Also from a study conducted by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute 2009-2010, the results showed that 23 percent of primary schoolchildren, 25 percent of secondary schoolchildren were overweight/ obese; while 14 percent of their counterparts were underweight (Ministry of Health 2016, 2011). Working together to prevent and/ or lower people’s potential risk for the chronic non-communicable diseases remains priority.

Today’s article will focus on community nutrition programmes.

Finding a solution The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented that community-based solutions are critical in working with persons to prevent chronic diseases, and also in seeking to improve and/or maintain the health of those individuals who may be already by chronic illnesses. In order to cultivate healthy communities, it indicated in its perspective “some main points to aid in achieving successful outcomes in the prevention of chronic diseases and to achieve health equity; these include: making an invaluable investment in communities; providing a venue and/or the utilisation of existing community centres so that the residents can learn about effective strategies related to policies, systems, and environmental changes; as well as community nutrition officers or dietitians/nutritionists may collaborate with stakeholders to conduct nutrition education programs; mobilise networks for change; and provide communities with appropriate tools to assist them in the operation of programmes for chronic disease prevention.” Moreover, as community residents join together to help each other, businesses, faithbased organisations, and educational institutions can probably form a partnership in support of these important initiatives to foster healthy communities.

Overview According to Mason et al (2006) “rapid improvements in health and nutrition in developing nations may be noted as specific, deliberate, health-and nutrition-related interventions and to changes in the underlying social, economic, and health environments.” Therefore, community nutrition programmes provide essential information in nutrition and health to aid people in improving not only their nutritional status, but also the quality of life. These programmes are designed to improve the health of the population.

Generally, the main focus is to reach households and encourage a healthier lifestyle, with the aim of helping individuals to make better choices to lower their potential risk for disease. If in cases where there might be pre-existing diseases or conditions, healthcare professionals should provide treatment and teach people how to take care of themselves, for example manage blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels perhaps through medication review and emphasising compliance with prescribed diet and medications, incorporating physical activity, and stress management.

Some activities include nutrition education (choosing nutritious food, planning balanced meals, grocery shopping, methods of cooking, understanding the food label, the basics of therapeutic diets – low salt, diabetic, renal, low fat), health screening, diabetic foot care, blood pressure management, fitness and so on.

Some existing programmes There are existing nutrition programmes which include but should not be limited to the School Nutrition Programme (SNP), and the Healthy Me and Wee Fit Camps.

The main focus of these programmes is to promote health and wellness, as well as to improve and/or maintain the nutritional status of children and their households by extension. Communities can also implement gardening projects which will aid in food and nutrition security.

Likewise other business and community organisations might conduct similar community nutrition programmes for children, adolescents and adults.

The aforementioned camps aimed to fight childhood obesity, encourage healthy lifestyles, promote regular participation in physical activity, provide nutrition education to children, adolescents, parents/guardians and caregivers on choosing nutritious foods, planning balanced meals using the Caribbean Food Groups, portion sizes, increasing dietary intakes of fruits and veggies, drinking water, and adding foods moderate to high in dietary fibre to the meal plan; also limiting foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. In addition, activities are also included to promote and/or improve self-confidence and self-esteem in children (Ministry of Health).

You should note that SNP is the largest nutrition programme in the nation and the Caricom region; it is managed by National Schools Dietary Services Ltd.

School meals are provided for students in primary, secondary, and technical/vocational schools in Trinidad.

Similarly, its goal is to improve the nutritional status of children and adolescents.

The meals served breakfast and lunch are designed to meet one quarter and one third of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), respectively (Fourth Report of the Joint Select Committee on Ministries, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises, 2012).

Moreover at the international level, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (2016), “the Food and Nutrition Service administers several programs (which include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and Special Milk Program) that provide healthy food for children.” These programs are operated by state agencies, and besides the goal in making healthy food available to children, each program helps to fight hunger and obesity. Organisations such as schools, child care centres, and after- school programmes are reimbursed for providing healthy meals to children.

The nutrition message: community nutrition programmes are beneficial to improving the health of the population.

A release from the US Embassy said that during their visit, Gallagher and Meyers, engaged with Trinidadian court administrators and the Commissioner of Prisons to ensure that procedures as laid out by the Prisoner Transfer Treaty were adhered to, for a smooth transfer process.

They held meetings with authorities from the Prison Service, and toured the Women’s Prison in Arouca where they were apprised of various projects for reintegration of released prisoners and the ongoing juvenile court project.

Gallagher also met with members of the Judiciary and other diplomatic missions to discuss current programmes and developments in the judicial system in TT.

The International Prisoner Transfer Programme began in 1977. It permits the transfer of prisoners from countries where they have been convicted back to their home country.

The Prison Transfer Agreement went into effect with TT in 1994.

The release said that the US has continuously engaged with law enforcement authorities in TT on this programme and other security issues through bilateral coordination and through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.

“Enhanced information sharing and collaboration between security officials has bolstered the close relationship our two countries share and promoted Trinidad and Tobago as a regional leader,” the release said.

Both countries have collaborated in the spirit of bilateralism to ensure that American violators of local laws can be returned to their country of origin as is the same for TT citizens convicted of crimes in the US, the release said.

The press conference was to announce the National Lotteries Control Board’s 2017 involvement in two interest groups Pan Trinbago and TUCO .

TUCO received a cheque for $800,000 while Pan Trinbago received one for $500,000 and the competitions will be called the TUCO/ NLCB Calypso Fiesta and Pan Trinbago/ NLCB National Panorama Festival Semi Finals respectively.

Added to which patrons going to both competitions early will have a chance to win $200,00 via the Lottery Instant Scratch game.

The first 4,000 patrons at Panorama semis will receive free Scratch tickets. The same will apply at the Panorama finals when 3,500 patrons will receive free tickets.

The North Greens will be smaller and will be integrated with the North Stand where patrons from the North Stand will be able to access the Greens.

There will be a meeting point called the Market Place where patrons from the Greens and North Stand could meet and share drinks and eats. Pan Trinbago says this is an effort to bridge the generation gap as the older folks from the North Stand will have an opportunity to mingle with the youths of the Greens.

An added bonus for patrons in the North and Grand Stands is the gift of free rum, beer and water.

TUCO’s President, Lutalo Masimba, said he is feeling good that NLCB understands their mission as many corporate entities do not fully understand their social responsibility.

“This deal with NLCB is a sponsorship not a donation,” Masimba said.

“This is serious business and NLCB has embraced our project,” said Masimba.

Five hundred tickets for the TUCO/NLCB Calypso Fiesta will be given away while 2,500 National Lottery Instant Scratch tickets will also be given to patrons and a lucky person can win $200,000.

Free rum, beer and water will also be given out at the Calypso semi-finals at Skinner Park on February 18.

There will also be an area for gaming during the show.

Tickets for Calypso Fiesta can be bought at any NLCB Gaming outlet.

Masimba also noted that despite the many rumblings about 2017 Carnival, the interest groups will always bring a Carnival.

Such is the “Power of Carnival”.

Prices for the two shows are as follows: TUCO/NLCB Calypso Fiesta ($300), Pan Trinbago /NLCB Panorama Festival Semi-Finals $300 (Grand Stand), $450 (North Stand) and North Greens $250.

They have selected an Austin (SuperBlue) Lyons composition “Fete” as its tune of choice, arranged by Ken “Professor” Philmore.

The band is led by Steve Jack.

The judges will visit Hope Pan Groovers of Hope Village next, and hear an Austin Lyons / Robbie Greenidge composition arranged by Ojay Richards.

Last on the schedule for the night is the band Natural Mystic that has chosen Steve Sealey’s “Break Away” arranged by Rickie Williams.

The action continues in Trinidad on Friday beginning with the steelbands in the South/Central Region.

In all, some 67 Single Pan Bands have registered to participate in this year’s competition which will run over ten days across Trinidad and Tobago.

On Friday and Saturday, 11 bands from the South/Central Region will go through their paces, then it will be the turn of another 24 bands in the Eastern Region to face the judges on Sunday and Monday with the remaining 29 steelbands in the North going through a similar phase from Tuesday to Thursday next week.

Start time for each day is 6 pm and judging takes place in the respective pan yards.

The opening of the bands’ score sheets will take place on January 27 at City Hall, Knox Street, Portof- Spain, from 10 am.

Single Pan steelbands are permitted to perform with 20 players in the qualifying round with a maximum of 30 players for the finals which is scheduled for January 29 at the Arima Velodrome, Arima, from 7 pm.

“I really mean dire,” Drakes said in response to MP for Moruga/ Tableland, Dr Lovell Francis.

“At this point in time today, I have no staff working on agricultural matters.

I just don’t have the staff. If I have to pull somebody else from another portfolio, just now I’m looking at my cleaners. I’m going to find out who has a degree and who I can teach because I’m in teaching mode.

“My OJTs (On The Job Trainees) have gone, all the technical staff have gone and all I have are administrative and maintenance staff with me. It’s really, really hard, but I am persevering nevertheless.” The committee met yesterday at the J Hamilton Maurice Room, Level 2, Tower D, to attain an insight into the allocation and the utilisation of State lands, and the policies and procedures regarding allocation and development particularly with respect to agricultural utilisation.

The objectives were also to examine the level of development of agricultural State lands for food production, to assess the suitability of land tenure arrangements for food production, to understand the key challenges in providing adequate lands for food production, to understand the relationship between the ministry and other stakeholders relevant to agricultural State lands.

Drakes said they did have approval for some of the positions, but the problem is getting them to come in as those people had to give adequate notice at their jobs before they could come on board.

Chairman of the committee, Independent Senator Stephen Creese, asked Acting Permanent Secretary, Angela Siew, what steps are being taken to utilise and develop the human resource potential available for the purposes of food production, as well to indicate some of the new initiatives that are being undertaken that would improve production.

She said one of their key critical challenges has been the lack of a comprehensive information management system and databases as it pertained to the utilisation of allocation of land for food production.

“We have been allocated $6.9 million to upgrade our IT (Information Technology) infrastructure, and also to improve on what we have as our information system in the ministry. We also have had allocation for the development of our land management system, as well as an electronic document management system.

We are also seeking to re-establish SALIS (State Agricultural Land Information System).

To this end, Siew informed the committee that they have engaged a director of IT to move these systems forward.

She said he was making an assessment of what their needs are, what they would like to see based on the policy they were creating, and also their new National Agricultural Sector Development Plan.

Christie sang Juniper’s praise while addressing the completion of the fabrication of the topside of the Juniper offshore platform at the Trinidad Offshore Fabricators (TOFCO) Yard, Labidco Industrial Estate, La Brea on Sunday. The platform is bpTT’s 14th locally fabricated offshore installation.

He said the entire Juniper project which would include the drilling programme and sub sea infrastructure, would cost approximately US$2 billion.

“The biggest spend on the project was on wells which are off shore and includes drilling and sub sea infrastructure,” Christie said as he described the project as having real significance for Trinidad and Tobago. He noted that at its peak, over 700 people worked on the platform with approximately 55 percent hailing from the La Brea community.

He noted that while there were setbacks on the project, the companies involved were able to recover and deliver a project well within earmarked timeline. The Juniper offshore project, located in the East Mayaro Block (Block EM) off Trinidad and Tobago’s south-east coast, comprises the development of the Corallita and Lantana gas fields owned by bpTT.

The two fields are located 50 miles (80.4km) off the south-east coast of Trinidad and Tobago, in water depth between 330 ft and 360 ft.

The project was sanctioned in August 2014 and the fabrication of the gas gathering platform began in the same year. He said for the past 26 months, TOFCO, Technip and BP worked together with support from the Ministry of Energy to “make history” as he proudly pointed to the Juniper platform saying it is 5,100 tons of, “collaboration, knowledge transfer and commitment.” “Along with collaboration and knowledge transfer, the story of the Juniper topside is also a story of commitment.

The Juniper topside is the sixth major facility fabricated at TOFCO for bpTT. Starting with Cannonball in 2005, and following with Mango, Cashima, Savonette, Serrette and now Juniper, we are immensely proud for having contributed to the development of a local fabrication industry here in La Brea,” he added.

Asked about the Angelin natural gas field project, Christie said negotiations are still ongoing and the company (bpTT) has to remain competitive if other projects were to be realised in Trinidad and Tobago. “If we reach an agreement, the project will be a go, that was the prerequisite and I was delighted to hear the affirmation from the Energy Minister but he said something else that is important.

He said we can have a project but we also have to stay competitive, the reason I can’t give you any iron clad commitment around where work will be done is because of course there are competitive negotiations which have to be concluded and if they are competitive then we will obviously build where things are competitive,” Christie said.

The society is morally decayed.

Almost every citizen in Trinidad has experienced some sort of crime, yet as a small island we cannot stand unified to eradicate this scourge.

In our land there are several religious institutions teaching values to deter us from criminality, there are politicians reassuring us, there is the protective services, and all the law-abiding citizens; so many good men, so little effort, so much abounding evil.

Our problems are all ours, not the Government’s, not the church’s, the police’s, nor the military’s, they belong to all of us, so we all have to get involved. Rather than clasping our hands as if to accept an unchangeable fate, we must work together to eliminate our common enemy.

We are past fed-up and frightened, now is the time to become incited. Enough already, time to say what we see, they can’t hide from all of us. If our people in unison can find harmony then we are bound to prosper.

Let’s be our brother’s keeper.

Colin Fortune Arima

Lennie M Nimblett St Ann’s

Productivity, for people who care, involves all parties in the enterprise, not only the workers.

If the working conditions are unsatisfactory, productivity falters.

Employers expect productivity irrespective of working conditions and are quick to place blame on ordinary workers at the drop of a hat. Little attention is given to remedying the failings and ensuring that management does its job.

Too many people will ignore the necessity for ensuring that managers manage and don’t simply ignore problems until they become unmanageable, as has happened in a particular uniformed service, when a vast number of uninformed people congratulated the Police Commissioner for taking action, but in fact he was simply warning of the intention to take action, as he is required to do.

It is this tendency for people to jump to conclusions that creates the virtual panic at the first sign of trouble. The political leadership of this country, aided and abetted by the elites, have for far too long fed this dissonance in the society and created an environment that encourages people to arrive at conclusions after hearing only half the story.

The facts are that Petrotrin has been losing (wasting?) money for as long as it has been under government ownership. In the past, when oil prices were high, it was easy to disguise the wastage but that is no longer possible. None of the bad business decisions or corrupt actions can be laid at the door of the workers.

If workers are contributing in any way by their lack of productivity, the question that should be asked is what is management doing to foster good work habits and a safe environment. It is not enough to say that workers are unproductive; the reasons for lack of productivity must be determined and action taken to correct them.

Too often blame is ascribed without investigation and this is why the Industrial Court had to take steps to protect itself from unfair criticism from business executives who refuse to surrender their prerogative to do this.

The future of Petrotrin cannot be assured unless and until strong action to rid it of the many leeches who suck its lifeblood daily.

Karan Mahabirsingh Carapichaima

I do hope the PNM hierarchy would have taken the opportunity to have a good look at this Sou Sou Land project which comprises 134 acres and provided land for over 400 people at a cost of $7,000 per lot.

At that price, the project financed itself in the initial stages and still produced a surplus and left a 15-acre parcel for future development.

In the International Year of Shelter, the United Nations named Sou Sou Land one of the ten most innovative systems in the world in providing land for the landless.

The Sou Sou Land programme, started by John Humphrey, readily lends itself to any government that is interested and we do hope that the PNM would avail itself of this opportunity. We at Sou Sou Land stand ready to assist.

Lennox Sankersingh chairman