Columns

Depression is a common cause for individuals visiting their doctor. It is estimated that one out of every 10 people who visit a doctor has depression. This common medical disorder can be treated successfully in many individuals once they are diagnosed.

The following is a statement by Dame Bernice Lake, QC, on behalf of the concerned citizens of Anguilla.

In this year 2005 and with the imminent passage of the Physical Planning Act 2005 , Anguilla and Anguillians are locked in a struggle for Anguilla’s own soul.

Michael (Thabo) Carvin visited Anguilla last week and some of us will never be the same again. Though this was only his second visit to Anguilla, the first thing that struck me was that he did not behave like a stranger. I am not sure why I expected him to because world travelers have an ease with the new and unfamiliar.

Recently there has been much interest in avian influenza also called bird flu. There are concerns that an influenza pandemic is likely if the bird flu mutates into a form capable of spreading easily from person to person. There is no evidence of an influenza pandemic at this time. It is usual to have small outbreaks of influenza each year in several countries and these usually have the greatest impact on the very young, the elderly and the seriously ill individuals.

The following information was contributed by Mrs Patricia Gumbs, the Mediation Coordinator for Anguilla. For further information contact Mrs Gumbs at 497 2377.

The need for judicial reform to address the problems of an over-burdened legal-judicial system has given rise to new approaches to resolving disputes in a manner other than the traditional form of litigation.

The following is the broadcast delivered by Mr. Victor Banks on October 11, which is published here for the public record.

The following is the “spine” of an interview given on Heartbeat Radio by Dame Bernice Lake, QC.

They can only set free men free…
And there is no need of that………
Free men set themselves free.
- James Oppenheim, The Slave

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.. JFK.

The Web of Life

Biodiversity, the web of life that is made up of plants, animals, micro-organisms and the ecosystems in which they live, is increasingly being irreversibly changed, degraded, and in some cases, completely destroyed by humans.

People who march to a different drum do not understand why all the rest of the world is out of step, but there are some times when that different drum must beat loudly enough to force the proverbial ostriches to get their heads out of the proverbial sand.

The number of Anguillians reaching the age of 65 and living beyond this is rapidly growing and with this a number of challenges have developed.

fter a storm comes a calm. Like the calm that followed the political storm of the February 2005 general elections. That is the pattern of Anguilla’s political weather. After general elections our people go into a deep slumber. They allow the Government to execute its campaign promises without its members having to look over their shoulders. According to Kenneth Harrigan (1994), after elections “politics is over until five years.” That rule is generally true.

The hectic lifestyles of many Anguillians have resulted in many individuals being deprived of adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common sleep-related problems seen in Anguilla. Sleep-related disorders can have an adverse effect on health and safety as well as mood and behaviour.

Of course I have some views about the recent issues that have been raising the collective temperature of most Anguillians, viz. the Physical Planning Bill, the Labour Code and violence in school.

The Control of Employment Act is a short but extremely important piece of legislation. It governs the employment of persons in Anguilla who are not belongers of Anguilla, and also outlines the circumstances under which work permits are required.

The month of October is used in many countries to increase awareness of breast cancer, but it is also a good time to increase awareness of other cancers as well especially common cancers that affect many Anguillians, these other common cancers include prostate cancer, cervical cancer.

These two little words “Choices Count”, can have such scope and meaning that I invite you to ponder with me today how the simple concept of allowing our young people to make choices about their lives may be more desirable than trying to turn them into us.

This is an article with a difference. I was at the Webster Park on 16th November 2004 when the Anguilla United Front launched its 2005 elections campaign. One of the speakers was the Honourable Kenneth Harrigan, Minister of Infrastructure, who contested the Island Harbour seat against Joshua Hodge, a Baptist preacher, and others.

It is not often that I respond with silence to social issues that burn in my breast and in spite of the loud reactions to the recent incidence of violence among young people in school I am not convinced that we are listening purposefully.

Chronic pelvic pain is a common gynaecological cause for women to see their doctor. In many cases there is no clear cause for the chronic pain, making it difficult to cure or manage. It is estimated that approximately 15 to 20% of women aged 18-50 years have chronic pelvic pain of greater than one year’s duration.

Fellow Anguillians let me preface this article with the following statements