Concern raised after vector control halted in Kingston and St. Andrew

By Nakinskie Robinson  

 

Radio Jamaica News has been informed that community vector control workers under the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department have been relieved of their duties allegedly due to a lack of funding from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

 

It's understood that the overall enhanced vector control programme under the Health Department has been scrapped and workers were informed of the decision late last week.

 

Junior shadow spokesperson on health, Jesse James Clarke, has taken issue with the decision, especially at a time when vector borne diseases are expected to rise. 

 

"We can't understand why at this time, in the peak of the dengue season, or mosquito breeding season, the ministry would think that it's a good idea to not fund or to stop funding such a critical programme at this point in time. We have to give vector control priority at this point in time, and we have to do everything we can to control the mosquito population. So we need these enhanced vector control workers to be out there in the field looking and searching and destroying these mosquito breeding sites, because that is one of the most important ways to reduce the mosquito population," he asserted. 

 

Mr. James Clarke also expressed concern about the impact on the livelihoods of those who were sacked just at the beginning of the new academic year, when they may have children going back to school.   

 

He urged the ministry to reconsider the decision to end the programme and reengage the vector control workers.