Dear Editor,
The president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) recently called for a national unity campaign to stem the rapid spread of the chikungunya virus by destroying mosquito-breeding sites islandwide. He said Jamaica's political parties should use their powerful party machinery to organise Jamaicans and implement a national drive.
Whilst I agree with his message and wholeheartedly endorse his plea, I would like to suggest that the campaign goes one step further and includes the Jamaica Defence Force. I personally believe that this threat to Jamaica's health also impacts its economy and national security. Having some 40-60 per cent of the Jamaican population impacted by the chikungunya virus, could easily translate to millions of lost man-hours and significantly reduced productivity.
It also can mean a significant reduction in the operations of the police force and hence impact national security.
It is commendable that the Government is making some $30 million available to help with the response; however, simply throwing money at this problem without a fully comprehensive and executable plan will not achieve the desired results.
In addition, the JMDA president also suggested that no amount of fogging can solve the problem being caused by the reckless behaviour in some communities where residents dispose of their garbage and other waste in areas that create large breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
We note recently where the president of the USA has sent some 3,000 troops to the West African region to assist with halting the spread of Ebola on the continent. I am suggesting a similar response, possibly coordinated by the ODPEM and the health ministry. There are certain logistics and emergency responses that can be best implemented by the JDF and the threat is significant enough to include them at this stage.
The time to act and to act decisively is now.
Wayne Williams
Manchester
wils25@hotmail.com
National chik-V response must involve JDF
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The president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) recently called for a national unity campaign to stem the rapid spread of the chikungunya virus by destroying mosquito-breeding sites islandwide. He said Jamaica's political parties should use their powerful party machinery to organise Jamaicans and implement a national drive.
Whilst I agree with his message and wholeheartedly endorse his plea, I would like to suggest that the campaign goes one step further and includes the Jamaica Defence Force. I personally believe that this threat to Jamaica's health also impacts its economy and national security. Having some 40-60 per cent of the Jamaican population impacted by the chikungunya virus, could easily translate to millions of lost man-hours and significantly reduced productivity.
It also can mean a significant reduction in the operations of the police force and hence impact national security.
It is commendable that the Government is making some $30 million available to help with the response; however, simply throwing money at this problem without a fully comprehensive and executable plan will not achieve the desired results.
In addition, the JMDA president also suggested that no amount of fogging can solve the problem being caused by the reckless behaviour in some communities where residents dispose of their garbage and other waste in areas that create large breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
We note recently where the president of the USA has sent some 3,000 troops to the West African region to assist with halting the spread of Ebola on the continent. I am suggesting a similar response, possibly coordinated by the ODPEM and the health ministry. There are certain logistics and emergency responses that can be best implemented by the JDF and the threat is significant enough to include them at this stage.
The time to act and to act decisively is now.
Wayne Williams
Manchester
wils25@hotmail.com
National chik-V response must involve JDF
-->