Groups stage passive protest against developments harming Curaçao communities

Pensioner organizations from Curaçao, Aruba, and the BES islands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius) are working to establish closer cooperation ties. The groups involved are UPAH from Curaçao, the Organisashon di Penshonado Públiko di Aruba (OPPA) from Aruba, and the Fundashon Union di Penshonado Hulanda Karibense (UPHK), which is based in Bonaire. The initiative aims to strengthen solidarity among retirees across the Dutch Caribbean region. By joining forces, the organizations hope to present a more unified front in advocating for the rights and welfare of pensioners throughout the islands. This cross-island collaboration marks a significant step toward coordinated regional representation for one of the Caribbean's most vulnerable demographic groups.

Sherwin Thielman has been elected to the board of UPAH (Union di Penshonado pa Adelanto i Hustisia), a pensioners' advocacy organization in Curaçao. The election took place last Saturday during the organization's annual general membership meeting. The board seat Thielman filled had become vacant, prompting the election as part of the regular meeting proceedings. UPAH represents pensioners and advocates for their advancement and justice, making its leadership relevant to a significant segment of Curaçao's population. Thielman's addition to the directiva signals continued organizational activity and member engagement within the union.

A study published in the Netherlands has found that more than one-third of mothers and roughly one in six fathers of very premature babies develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the birth. The findings highlight the significant psychological toll that premature birth can place on both parents, not just mothers. Premature birth — defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation — is a traumatic and often life-threatening event for the infant, and parents frequently experience fear, helplessness, and prolonged uncertainty in neonatal intensive care settings. Researchers note that PTSD symptoms in parents can interfere with bonding, family functioning, and the child's long-term development if left unaddressed. The study underscores the need for routine psychological screening and mental health support for parents in the weeks and months following a premature birth. Healthcare professionals are being urged to treat parental mental health as a standard part of neonatal care, not an afterthought.