Madeira News Blog

(9th July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Three Strokes Per Day – Madeira is the region of Portugal with the highest ratio of strokes : 1,200 per year. That makes an average of 3 or 4 per day. In order to deal with the problem, a new unit in the hospital enters officially into service today’. The new AVC unit was already covered here a few days ago, so looking at the high rate of strokes, a doctor in the unit admits that he doesn’t know the reasons for the high incidence of strokes here. "There may be genetic factors, it may be related to changes in life styles …". What used to be a more common occurrence in people aged over 70, is now affecting people earlier. Half of those affected remain with some sort of disability for the rest of their lives. The new stroke unit has already been opened for two weeks, although the inauguration is today, and has already had 5 patients (hardly 3 or 4 a day?)

‘Funchal And Lisbon Attentive To The Spread Of Gripe A (Swine Flu) – Maurício Melim met the Director-General for health yesterday in Lisbon’. The front page has a picture of a lady blowing her nose, with a shortened version of the measures people should take to avoid spreading (not avoid catching) Gripe A : Always when coughing or sneezing cover your nose and mouth with a paper tissue; Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; If you have symptoms of gripe, call the 24 hour health line on 808 24 24 24. There were 4 new cases of gripe A in Portugal yesterday (61 total), but still nothing here on Madeira, although 8 or 9 suspected cases have been handled. The meeting mentioned was just to keep the parties in touch over the spread of the gripe, and it is not clear why the headline refers to Funchal rather than Madeira. There is a fuller pictorial guide at this link for anyone interested, although I expect there is plenty of equivalent information in English on the internet SWINE FLU ADVICE

‘Navy Gathers Debris On The Coast’. I have been through the online newspaper twice trying to find this story, but without luck. If it turns up later I will cover it.

‘PS And PP Fail To Make Coalition In São Vicente – The ‘populars’ claim that they already had a list when approached by the PS for an electoral pact’. A bit of a nothing story really, as the two parties talked, but couldn’t reach agreement on a coalition for the forthcoming local elections. The Peoples Party said it had already decided on its candidate. Neither the PP or the socialists would talk about the matter, so it didn’t really deserve to be a front page story.

The final front page story is about a football agent suing Marítimo for €200,000 which he says the club owes him after the sale of their ex-player Manduca.

‘New Wind Park Is Going To Produce 14.4 MW – The annual estimate is equivalent to the domestic consumption of São Vicente and Ponta do Sol’. ENEREM, a company of EEM (Electricity of Madeira), estimates that the new wind park at Paul da Serra will avoid the emission of 10 kilo tonnes (?) of CO2 a year, as well as save the importation of the required fuel. The investment required was €6.5 million. The site is due to be inaugurated next Wednesday, by President Jardim, probably keen to show his green credentials prior to elections.

‘ECM launches summer campaign – The campaign uses the terms "irreverence" and "good mood". The most famous beer company on Madeira (ECM) yesterday launched a Summer campaign around the Coral brand entitled ‘You already know how it starts’. The campaign will be used in outdoor advertising, the regional press, and on its own website for an extended period.  The website promotes organised events. "Beer is the ‘fun starter’ of excellence, it is a social lubricant, generating conviviality and good moods", said the director of marketing for ECM, João Rodrigues. "Good conversations, great meetings, great parties and great clowning around starts normally around a beer … or two!" Shall I be politically correct … no, I am not in the mood today, but I know ECM are going through tough times, but not really sure if this is the best approach to resolve the problem, on an island that has more than an enough alcohol problems.

(8th July). ‘Combating The ‘Aedes’ Presented In Madeira University – The new technique involves the release of male mosquitoes with a killer gene’. The Laboratory of Human Genetics at the University of Madeira has organized for Friday, a conference on the "Genetic Control of the Dengue Mosquito (Aedes aegypti)". The conference will be overseen by Luke Alphey and his team at the University of Oxford, who have developed a new technology within SIT (Sterile Insect Technique), called RIDL ® (Release of Insects Carrying a Dominant Lethal) to deal with the populations of Aedes aegypti. It is based on the release of modified males (strain OX513A), genetically transformed to have a lethal gene, that following breeding with females will produce young that will not grow beyond the stage of pupa. I remember last year we had a blog discussion on this and one of our readers wrote to the authorities here, and the the Diário also, suggesting this approach. Nothing more was heard of course, but as a similar approach is taken with fruit flies here it seemed to make sense.

‘Madeira To Increase Forest Area’. The final phase of processes to obtain private land are underway in the Serras of Funchal (high zones), destined to become new forested areas. The 330 hectares cover parts of São Roque and Santo António. The Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, said the initiative embodied the challenge to the government in the recovery and conservation of nature, as a strategic objective, deserving special attention despite the financial difficulties that Portugal has imposed on Madeira. At the same time the number of forest wardens is being increased, with another 5 to be recruited, bringing the total up to 84. Manuel António Correia said that after many years in decline, the forest area is now booming, especially after the end of disorderly grazing, and with the emphasis now on actions of creating new and recuperated forest zones.

(30th June). Today’s main news headline : ‘Generosity Finances Delinquency – Beggars and drug addicts attack in the parks. Police realize that generosity feeds the phenomenon’. The covered car parks are being used by beggars and drug addicts to torment and rob people and damage and steal from cars. The problem is present in various places on Madeira, but is of most concern in downtown Funchal and Santa Cruz. In one case mentioned that took place last week in Caniço, a couple of ‘hoodies’ yanked out a woman as she was entering her car. They took her purse with identification, money, and her mobile phone. She ended up not pressing charges. A police spokesman acknowledges the problem in covered car parks, and said that car park owners have been alerted to the need for security cameras, and in some cases a security guard. In downtown Funchal the problem is particularly worrying, and has special attention from community police in Infante and Almirante Reis. The police spokesman says that one of the best ways to deter the beggars, is not to give money when asked, “it is good will and the spirit of solidarity that make the beggars hang around these places” he said. He also advises car park users to look around before making a move, to lock the car, and keep valuables out of site.

The same article also covers the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) and the situation there with drunks, junkies, and beggars creating a disgusting sight for tourists and people passing by. Aggressions’ and obscenities, as well as begging, are all part of the daily lives of the people that gather at the market every day. The police spokesman say this occurs because close by is a ‘rehabilitation centre’ used by some of these people. He said additional community police are alert to the problems.

‘Community Policing Arrives For Traffic – PSP have an operation of free vigilance for houses where the owners go on holiday’. After community policing was established in Santo António, São Martinho, Sé, and Monte, the concept of community policing is to be extended to include traffic. The duties of the officers will include dealing with cars badly parked, cars on pavements, and prevention of drink driving, with the officers devoted to traffic matters. The project will begin in downtown Funchal.

In the same article ‘Operation Safe Summer 2009′ started last Friday, with the police launching the same initiative as last year to patrol and protect commercial and residential areas, tourist zones, beaches and roads. The operation will run until 15th September, but the police bicycle patrols will be expanded for this year. Amongst other anti-crime tips in the article, there is an indirect warning about pickpockets. Police are also producing a leaflet to give to tourists coming to Portugal on holiday, and it will contain the phone numbers that people might need, as well as advice on how to avoid problems during their holiday, including moderated consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Regarding the free surveillance of houses left empty whilst owners go on holiday, those wishing to use the service need to complete and deliver a form to the police station, or fill in the form online at www.psp.pt.

‘Tourist Robbed With Weapon On The Levada dos Piornais’. It happened around 11am yesterday morning in São Martinho, when a German tourist walking alone had a gun(?) pointed at his neck and had €40 stolen. The tourist was already in the process of handing the money over when the mugger produced the weapon. Police attended the scene, but the mugger had already fled.

The main photo on today’s front page shows a group of youngsters playing banjos and recorders : ‘Madeira Explains Artistic Education To Europe – The office coordinator shares 30 years of experience in a European meeting that takes place tomorrow morning in Estonia’. The conference organised by the European Association for Music in Schools takes place every two years, bringing together experts in the field, to share ideas and experiences, and establish partnerships at a European level. This year the theme is ‘Music inside and outside of schools, and it takes place in Estonia, a country with a great tradition for choirs. Madeira feels it has something special to offer, because it can do things in such a small population, that would be much more difficult in larger countries. Amongst the things that Madeira will share, is the mixing of music with acting, to help students learn music, with such events sometimes televised. Also the extracurricular activities that take place for students who wish to specialise, and the use of ‘fun’ in the learning experience.

‘Aedes Aegypti – The IHMT team will study the effectiveness of insecticides used to combat the mosquito’. A team from the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) of the New University of Lisbon will hold a two week study on the degree of effectiveness of products used on Madeira to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The President of the Management Board for Health and Social Affairs (IASAS), Maurício Melim, said that entomologists would be able to recognize the quality of the products used. He says that the products used to date have been in accordance with international guidelines and practices. The quantity of mosquitoes found in late June is low compared with previous years, but the situation will change with increased temperatures. He added that in the opinion of ‘the entomologist’, it is not going to be possible to eradicate the mosquito. It originally arrived here several years ago, and has continued to breed and prosper, gradually spreading out from the original problem area in Funchal.

The Government Of Madeira Adopts Solution For Columbus Resort – A protocol to facilitate the project was approved yesterday’. The tourist complex in Porto Santo that ground to a halt several months ago due to lack of funds has a rescue package. There are no more details at present.

At the same meeting the government agreed a project to upgrade the miradouro (view point) at Cabo Girão, with a platform of steel and glass, that will cost nearly €2 million. Also agreed was the construction of a health centre, with welfare facilities and homes for elderly people, at Porto da Cruz, which will cost €4.2 million.  

‘Funchal Council Funds €150,000 In Funchal Jazz – The festival runs between 2nd and 4th July in St. Catherine’s Park’. The 10th edition of the festival will receive the same amount of funding as last year, but has moved from Quinta Magnólia, and doesn’t have an actual sponsor. This year there will be two huge TV screens installed, and improvements in the sound quality. Tickets are available at the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, with a special promotional price until today. A ticket for all 3 days costs €30.

All the articles which mention the police (6 paragraphs) were linked from the front page, and although some of the news is about positive measures being taken, it does not show Madeira in a good light at all.

(5th June). ‘Cold Foils The Mosquito Of Santa Luzia – The higher level of activity of the Aedes aegypti is between September and October’. The colder Winter and Spring have helped to keep the mosquito under control, along with traps placed in cemeteries, in places ‘in nature’, and around the perimeter of urban Funchal. So far in Santa Luzia, the origin of the mosquito imported to Madeira 3 years ago, there have been no complaints of bites yet. Monitoring of the mosquito involves the Municipal Museum, the Regional Directorate of Environment, and in Lisbon, where the presence of the mosquito that transmits dengue and yellow fever is being followed by the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The extermination work goes on, but advice given to the population to minimise suffering includes : Cover the body, use repellent, avoid being on the street at dusk and dawn, wash the dishes under plant pots with chlorine, and if bitten, do not scratch the bite to avoid infection. The best measure to relieve itching is to put ice on the bite.

Apparently we, the Madeirans, have very little knowledge about the Treaty of Lisbon, signed in December 2007, yet we are assumed to be against it. That’s according to the European election candidate for the BE (left block).  I have no idea what it is, but isn’t a treaty a nicey thingy you get after being a goody boy?

I am not covering European election articles on the blog unless there is something outside the usual waffle, and I think this just about does this. There is a electoral register for Portugal online, with Madeira, the Azores, and foreign residents included. I was asking in town last night where I have to vote on Sunday, and was told there are 3 polling stations in town, but there is only one applicable to me. Allocation is made based on the reference number on the blue voters card. Which one I thought? I know, I will try the online Portuguese electoral roll. It didn’t work for me, but if anyone else wants to try it or play around, here it is : PORTUGAL ELECTORAL REGISTER

The ‘Pacific Dream’ cruise ship makes it debut visit in Funchal today, but I will let you into a secret, that it has in fact been here before, but then it was called the ‘Island Star’.

‘Madeira Tourism Promotion Counts On The Extension Of Support From Lisbon’.  A protocol between Tourism of Portugal and the Association for the Promotion of Madeira was signed in 2007, to last 3 years. It is now to be extended until next year. Bernardo Trindade, Secretary of State for Tourism, confirmed that it is the political will of the Government of the Republic to come to Funchal to talk with the regional authorities, to show solidarity and support for Madeira tourism. We hear you Bernie, but will you get yer wallet out?

‘Fines In The Air – On the Day of the Environment, the news that in three years the GNR brought 275 proceedings for crimes against nature’. 53 cases were for the illegal picking of lapas (limpets), others for hunting, poaching, forest fires, pollution, and animal trafficking. The Office for the Protection of Nature and the Environment (SEPN) of the GNR-Madeira reviews some of these environmental crimes committed since the service started in March 2005. In the case of Lapas, there is a legal limit of 2 kilos per person per day, and exceeding that is one of the most common causes of prosecution. 75 of the cases were for ‘underwater hunting’, again covered by regional law, with some cases of fishing with explosives. 21 cases related to illegal importation of animals to Madeira, or involved protected species. 18 cases of fishing with illegal nets meant confiscation of the catch, which amounts to over 1000kg per year. Several of these environmental crimes carry maximum prison sentences of up to 8 years.

(2nd June). ‘Carlos Pereira v Jardim In The Courts – It is the preliminary hearing of the case where Pereira sues Jardim for €35 thousand’. July the 8th at 2pm in Funchal court sees the socialist (PS-M) politician take on president Alberto João Jardim, over things that Jardim said that caused offence to the dignity and professional competence of Pereira in 2008. Pereira claims to have been a favourite target of Jardim, and some of the criticism was aimed at his private consulting company.  This is a return bout, after Jardim was sued by Jardim in 2007 (result not given). If everyone sued Uncle Bertie for things he said that upset them, we wouldn’t have an unemployment problem on Madeira, and we would all have high paid jobs as legal assistants and secretaries. That is my solution to the economic crisis on Madeira, and I am prepared to assist anyone who wants to meet UB in court. Please send cheques to the usual address … leave the € amount blank, as I can help fill in this bit for you.