Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Health Ministry Making Progress in Containing Dengue
#Kingston, January 9, 2019 – Jamaica – Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is giving the assurance that the team at the Ministry is making progress and will continue to take the appropriate actions necessary to contain the dengue virus. He made the remarks during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 8) at Gordon House.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that 123 dengue case reports were received for December, surpassing the outbreak threshold of 96 cases. It was the first month for 2018 in which the number of cases had exceeded the outbreak threshold.
Up to January 3, some 830 cases were classified as suspected, presumed or confirmed. There have been 23 confirmed cases of dengue for the period.
Dr. Tufton told the Lower House that the Ministry has enhanced its clinical management efforts. He noted that already, clinical staff have been resensitised regarding the management of dengue; emergency departments at hospital have been bolstered by increased clinical and administrative staff; and sensitisation of all doctors, private and public, has been conducted.
“The Ministry is also increasing available hospital beds by providing the support to open unused wards at St. Joseph’s and National Chest hospitals, and we now have extended opening hours at various health centres in anticipation of increased demand on the system,” he noted.
He said that the blood inventory at the National Blood Transfusion Services has improved as at January 3 and laboratory capacity enhanced to expedite testing for dengue, through support from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
Dr. Tufton told the House that the Ministry is finalising framework agreements with four private laboratories to enhance testing capacity. He said that an extended public education campaign – launched in May with the observation of Mosquito Awareness Week – has also commenced and will continue in the coming weeks.
In addition, public service announcements regarding mosquito breeding sites, symptoms of dengue and personal protection tips, which have aired since August last year, continue to be shared and are being ramped up in the media, inclusive of social media.
“Dengue information flyers and brochures continue to be procured, with close to 100,000 already distributed to 
homes, health centres and hospitals across the island. This all adds to the public education programme, and this has been enhanced since the start of this year,” Dr. Tufton said.
He noted, further, that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in terms of the removal of domestic waste.
“We had a meeting with the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, with representatives from the National Solid Waste Management Authority, as part of the coordinated approach to deal with breeding sites,” he said.
Also, ‘Dear Doctor’ and ‘Dear Parent’ letters have been distributed to sensitise physicians and parents regarding dengue. Jamaicans are encouraged to visit their doctors if they experience symptoms and to follow the prescribed course of treatment.
Release: JIS
Contact: Latonya Linton
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, emphasises a point during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 8).
Michael Sloley Photo
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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