Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Westmoreland Health Department warns over 200 non-compliant residents
Montego Bay, November 19, 2019 – Jamaica – The Westmoreland Health Department has issued more than 200 warning notices to persons failing to comply with instructions to destroy mosquito breeding sites on their properties.
The notices were issued by vector-control workers subsequent to the activation of the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ enhanced mosquito-control programme in August. The action is in keeping with the Department’s ramped-up efforts to curtail the spread of dengue fever.
Acting Vector Control Coordinator for Westmoreland, Sasharna Matalie, told JIS News that while many residents have been taking personal responsibility to curtail the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the dengue virus, some persons continue to ignore warnings to destroy existing and potential breeding sites on their premises.
“Currently, we have 90 temporary task workers to bolster our existing staff of eight vector-control workers; they check premises just to ensure that persons are complying. Where we find breeding sites, we have materials at hand to treat. Where we find breeding, we serve warning letters and notices to get these persons to comply,” she stated.
Individuals refusing to obey the notices are liable to be taken before the courts and fined. Meanwhile, Ms. Matalie advised that residents have been responding positively to the Department’s public education efforts. She explains that persons have been using alternative methods of covering storage containers to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
“We have found that persons come up with creative ways to get their drums covered and are no longer waiting on the Ministry to provide them with covers. Persons are going out and getting their own [covers] and wrapping up their drums. We are trying to get them to buy into the idea of not waiting on these things, but taking the initiative,” she said.
Additionally, Ms. Matalie said the Department continues to ramp up its vector-control activities and public education. She indicated that weekly fogging schedules are created and shared with various agencies as well as posted on the Ministry’s website.
Meanwhile, Ms. Matalie said the vector-control teams continue to place special focus on high-risk communities in the parish, noting that that they have been successful in reducing the Aedes aegypti index in those areas to less than 10 per cent. She further informed that work is ongoing in areas where the index is above this figure.
Ms. Matalie advised that the Ministry will be providing additional logistic support the parish, in terms of transportation and fogging equipment.
Contact: Nickieta Sterling
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Acting Vector Control Coordinator for Westmoreland, Sasharna Matalie.
Photo Contributed
Caribbean News
Paid internship opportunity in Energy Data Collection, Application DEADLINE is April 19
April 19, 2024 – The Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in cooperation with the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD), Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities (MPSU), is looking for a motivated intern to work in close collaboration with regional and national institutions to survey and collect energy-related data that will be used to create the Energy Report Cards (ERCs) for the Turks and Caicos Islands. A stipend for the intern will be provided by CCREEE.
The intern will be based at the EUD/MPSU. The internship program will provide students and/or young professionals with a unique opportunity to work with the energy sector institutions and stakeholders in TCI, gain practical experience in the energy sector, and contribute to the knowledge management functions of the Regional Energy Information System within the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH).
SCOPE OF WORK
The CCREEE in collaboration with the EUD/MPSU will collect specified data and information that will be used to develop the TCI Energy Report Cards which will be made accessible through the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH). The hub may be accessed by registering at https://cekh.ccreee.org. The Energy Report Cards will also offer important support to the CCREEE work program, including support for energy planning and the development of sustainable energy projects.
DESIRED PROFILE
- Bachelor’s degree or on course for completion of one by December 2024.
- Interest in the energy sector and willingness to learn about the socio-economic, technical and environmental aspects of the energy landscape; studies in sustainable energy, environmental sciences or related fields are an asset but not a National or resident of one of the relevant countries.
- Proficiency in English.
INTERNSHIP TIMEFRAME
The internship will run for a period of eight (8) weeks from May 27 to July 19, 2024.
APPLICATION
The intern applicant should send their application (motivation letter and CV) on or before April 19, 2024 to recruitment@ccreee.org and copy eud@gov.tc.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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