Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 16, 2014 News
– MOE strengthens Port Surveillance and other Clinical Health Systems.”
Members of the main opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU) is calling on the Administration, more so the Ministry of Health, to embark on an awareness campaign, which will enlighten the public on the effects of the deadly Ebola
virus outbreak.
During a press conference yesterday, party members noted that the sensitization campaign is pertinent to ensuring the safety of the Guyanese populace.
APNU has recommended that posters, pamphlets, advertisements and other forms of public notices be used to educate the masses on the deadly effects of the virus.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness, which is believed to be transmitted through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected persons or animals.
The virus spreads through the body and damages the immune system and organs, ultimately causing levels of blood-clotting cells to drop, resulting in severe, uncontrollable bleeding.
The outbreak which started in West Africa, sometime last December, has spread to several parts of the continent claiming the lives of thousands.
The World Health Organisation, (WHO) called the outbreak an ‘extraordinary event’ and has prompted hospitals and health authorities in other countries to take stern precautions.
In Response to the outbreak, Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan convened an emergency meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee earlier this month to discuss possible methods of preventing further international spread of Ebola.
During the discussions, several recommendations were made including a coordinated international response essential to stopping and reversing the international spread of Ebola.
The Emergency Committee made specific recommendations to three categories of countries, states with Ebola transmission, states with potential or confirmed Ebola cases and all other states.
States with Ebola transmission were asked to declare a national emergency and put in place systems to respond to the outbreak.
States with potential or confirmed Ebola cases and unaffected states with land borders with affected states were asked to heighten surveillance and put contingency plans into operation, and strengthen monitoring and control measures
However the committee recommended that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade in remaining countries except the restrictions outlined in the recommendations regarding the travel of EVD (Ebola Virus Disease cases.)
It is also recommended that countries provide travelers with relevant information on Ebola affected areas risks, measures to minimize those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure.
The country should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travelers originating from known Ebola-infected areas that arrive at international airports or major land crossing points with unexplained febrile illness.
The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure. The country should also be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola, the WHO recommended.
In a statement to the press, the Ministry of Health noted that it has already invoked a response.
“These activities have been rolling out quietly over the past few weeks as the situation in Africa evolved and was analyzed by the Ministry relying on the best guidance from the WHO.”
The Ministry said that it has been closely following developments internationally and convened a meeting of its Emergency Response Committee, immediately strengthening and reinforcing directives and actions already in place.
“The Committee is in the process of strengthening Port Health, Surveillance and Clinical Systems.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud has been instructed to immediately expand the realignment of Human Resource to support the unfolding effort and has been instructed to keep the media updated, the Ministry said.
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