How would you describe yourself?
I am a very friendly and giving person. I also consider myself a positive person, who believes that faith is everything.
You were born in Curaçao, how did you end up in St. Maarten?
After the disintegration of the former Netherlands Antilles, I applied for VUT (early retirement), because I met all the requirements (age 55 with 30 years experience). I also felt that it was the right time for some change. For me, it was like now or never. After I was granted VUT, I immediately started a consultancy company named Caribbean Hygiene Services, which focussed on food safety and integrated pest control. This was because of my food safety and entomological background. It was something I always wanted to do for myself. After being in business for about two years, I spotted a vacancy in St. Maarten. I gave up my business and made the move to St. Maarten.
Fond memories growing up?
Growing up among many friends in Jandoret in Curaçao playing soccer and volleyball.
When and how did you discover your love for healthcare?
My first love was electrical engineering, but my first job at the age of 18 was with Geneeskundige en Gezondheidsdienst GGD (Public Health Services) where I grew to love the work and made it my career.
Education?
MTS degree in Electrical Engineering in Curaçao in 1977 / Associates of Applied Sciences in Environmental Health in the U.S. in 1979 / BSC in Environmental Health in the in U.S. 1982 / MSC in entomology/pesticides in the U.S. in 1988 / Studied Primary Health Care in England in 1990.
Employment history?
In 1975, I started to work at the GGD/Curaçao as a clerk using a mechanical type writer, and then became an assistant vector controller at the age of 18. In 1979, after returning with an AAS in Environmental Health, I functioned as a food safety and vector health inspector. I functioned as Chief Food Safety and Vector Control Inspector up to 1997. In 1993, I was Interim Head of the Hygiene Department/GGD; in 1997, I became the Head of the Hygiene Department/GGD of Curaçao until 2010; from 2011 to 2014, I was director of the company Curaçao Hygiene Services; as of 2014, I have been functioning as Section Head of the Food Safety Department and Water Surveillance at the Inspectorate of Public Health in St. Maarten.
How did it feel to become Country St. Maarten's first Chief Inspector Food Safety and Drinking Water?
It feels great. I was and still am very eager to contribute to the knowledge and experience of the department.
What do you bring to the table?
Generally speaking, St. Maarten is a very young country. Everything that is happening is part of the growing process. Even here at the Inspectorate, we must enforce the numerous legislations that were copied from the Netherlands Antilles legislations. No choice. I believe therefore that public information is a must in order to make effective implementation of these. I will be always ready to contribute to this public information/education.
What do your tasks entail?
My tasks include enforcement of all laws and legislations that have to do with food and water quality.
What are some of the common infringements that you come across?
People not being aware of the danger of unsafe food handling; there are water laws that require everyone who produces and distributes piped or bottled water to have a license, but nobody has one.
What can consumers do to stay safe?
Always read the label of a packaged product and just follow basic hygiene practices: always wash your hands, smell, feel and never taste food to judge if it is safe or not. Follow the golden rule: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Cold food must be cold and hot food must be hot before you eat it. As far as water is concerned, the quality must comply with the existing Sint Maarten Water regulations.
What should food and water outlets do to keep consumers safe?
Always follow the instructions given by the IVSA and Collective Prevention Services (CPS). Wash hands, keep cold food cold and hot food hot and avoid cross contamination.
How challenging is it to function in such an important position in St. Maarten?
Because of the existing laws (although not new), it’s a challenge to get people to follow them. At times, I feel you need to mobilise the mindset of the entire community in order to face these legislation without much resistance.
What differentiates you from other professionals in the field?
I’m proud to say that I have earned the more than 30 years experiences in the field and my experience is my fall-back position. They are better than any text book.
How do you approach your tasks?
I always try to be positive, write a priority list in the morning, and hate unfinished jobs.
What do you like about your job?
Everything, including the people I work with. I currently supervise four persons at IVSA. At the Hygiene Department in Curaçao, I had 52 employees from layman to academics background when I took that position.
Most rewarding moment?
When I’m discovered.
What are your concerns when it comes to food safety and water industry?
St. Maarten is very vulnerable as far as tourism is concerned for any mishaps in the area of food safety. Anything that goes wrong can go viral in the social media and once that happens, it can affect tourism negatively.
How do you think these concerns/challenges can be addressed?
A lot of public education/information to educate your public is a golden approach.
What’s your advice to youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps?
Do what you love and love what you do.
What are you involved in outside of your job?
I am an entomologist and I like to read about that tiny world of insects.
Future goals?
Personally, I would like to see my daughter graduate. She has this big ambition of becoming a doctor. She is currently a student at Florida Atlantic University Honours College and she works at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Professionally, I would like to publish a book that I have written about food safety in the Papiamentu language. The internet is full of books on food safety in English and other languages, but none in Papiamentu.
Hobbies?
Listening to the music and dancing.
Philosophy?
Don’t do to others what others won’t do to you.
Biggest fear?
I believe that you shouldn’t ever tell people what’s not wrong with you. Don’t be an introvert.
