Dr. Narine Singh, Director, Regional Health Services, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and Dr. Marcia Palthoo discussing the necessary precautions that can be taken during this rainy period (GINA Photo)
By Ariana Gordon
The Health Ministry is beefing up its flood advisory programme to ensure that members of the public are cognisant of the dangers associated with floods, while noting that there is currently no outbreak of flood related diseases here.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud told the media on Tuesday at a media briefing at the Health Ministry that the persistent downpours over the past 48 hours have resulted in several low lying areas being inundated, posing certain health risks.
He said whenever there is widespread flooding, the ministry takes a proactive stance to deal with the possible health risks that may occur, and treat those flood related diseases in a timely manner. The ministry, he said has improved its public awareness programme of the risks associated with walking in flood waters and measures the public can take in the event there is an eventuality from those risks.
“We also are putting the health system on high alert to respond to such risk. Look at areas such as diarrheal diseases, skin infections, respiratory infections, we have commenced more astute screening of patients, who present with the fever syndrome, especially with the outbreak we had with leptospirosis in 2005.”
Dr Persaud explained that the threat of an outbreak of leptospirosis never left Guyana, and intermittently over the past six years, there have been reported cases of the disease. “… we particularly want to keep the public informed on this, put measures in place where we can reduce that threat where possible, and also provide whatever medical care is needed to persons affected by those conditions.”
He added that it is important that citizens are aware of the dangers associated with floods, and the fact that flooding can lead to the contamination of fresh water that would in effect compromise drinking and domestic water standards.
Dr Persaud said his ministry is also concerned about possible outbreaks of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, and as such, is putting the public on guard by distributing pamphlets and fliers indicating how they (citizens) can make the water they utilise safe. In addition, Adolescent and Young Adult Health and Wellness Unit Director, Dr Marcia Paltoo said that the health communication unit of the ministry is working closely with other departments to ensure that all advisories are disseminated.
Special emphasis will also be placed on rodent control and diseases associated with same.
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