SECTORAL DEBATE | Ministry improving protocols on health alerts, Tufton reports

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is undertaking a comprehensive review of its Integrated Vector Management Programme which will, among other things, improve protocols for triggering alerts and outbreak management.

Dr Christopher Tufton​ announced that the Wellness portfolio was added to the ministry by the Prime Minister.

The move comes amid criticisms against the ministry by some about its lack of timeliness in alerting Jamaicans about vector issues.

Tufton, in delivering his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives this afternoon, stated that the review will also result in the regularisation of the number of full-time and temporary workers serving the programme; improve the available equipment for fogging; and public education at the parish level.

Tufton said another component of the review is to address persons who breach the law in facilitating breeding sites.

According to him, 2,948 citations were served for prosecution under the Public Health Act in 2018.

Tufton disclosed that 374,530 premises in 2,819 communities were inspected in 2018.

He further disclosed that 60,867 or 16% of those premises were found to be positive as breeding sites for the Aedes mosquito.

Additionally, 759,529 containers were inspected which revealed that 89,987 or 12% were found to be positive as breeding sites for the mosquito.

Tufton said that the acceptable WHO limit for breeding sites is less than five per cent.

- Jerome Reynolds

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