Fundacion Lanta Papiamento Donates Books to Papiamento Teachers

Aruba's Department of Public Health (DVG), through its Youth Health Care (JGZ) division, is expanding its National School Vaccination Campaign for 2026-2027 to include boys for the first time, in addition to girls. The HPV vaccine has previously been offered only to school-age girls, but starting this year, boys will also be eligible to receive it. The campaign is part of a broader national effort to reduce the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted infection linked to several types of cancer. Extending the vaccine to boys is considered a significant public health step, as HPV can affect both males and females and cause serious health complications in either sex. The DVG's JGZ section is responsible for administering the vaccinations through the school system, making it accessible to a wide range of young people on the island.

Aruba's Directorate of Public Health (DVG), through its Youth Health Care (JGZ) division, is expanding its National School Vaccination Campaign for 2026-2027 to include boys for the first time. Previously, the HPV vaccine was offered only to girls during the annual school vaccination program. This expansion marks a significant shift in the island's public health approach to preventing human papillomavirus, a virus linked to several cancers. HPV vaccination of boys helps reduce transmission and provides direct protection against HPV-related cancers that affect males, including throat and anal cancers. The move aligns Aruba with international health recommendations that support gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs. The campaign is organized through the island's existing school health infrastructure, making the vaccine accessible to children during the school year.

Father Marcel Balootje, a Catholic priest in Aruba, has spoken out on the importance of trust and honesty in marriage, calling distrust and dishonesty the greatest threats to a healthy union. In a message shared through local outlet 24ora, he emphasized that no relationship can be built on a foundation of mistrust between partners. Balootje stated that there is nothing more painful and damaging than two married people who cannot trust one another. His remarks appear to be part of a broader pastoral reflection aimed at strengthening family values within the Aruban community. The message underscores the Roman Catholic Church's ongoing role in providing moral and spiritual guidance on relationships and marriage in Aruba, where Catholicism remains a significant cultural and religious influence.