Staff members in the Environmental Health Unit, of the Department of Health Protection in Anguilla, have been praised for their work in safeguarding the island from disease-borne pests over the years.
The commendation came on Monday this week from Minister of Social Development, Edison Baird, during the formal opening of the 2012 Vector Awareness Programme of Activities on the grounds of the Environment Health Unit.
“This being our thirteenth year of vector awareness is not only a great achievement, but a testament to our continuing dedication and commitment to the job and service to the people of Anguilla,” Mr. Baird told the Environment Unit workers. “We are extremely proud of you and the role the department plays in educating members of the public about the danger of vectors and their associated diseases. The job is by no means an easy one. The many challenges you face in executing your duties, with scarce resources and a limited work force, is indeed commendable and, as your minister, I am truly proud of you.”
The Baird Minister hoped that the Department of Health Protection would seek to promote the work of the Environment Unit, in the future, not only by having more vigorous dialogue with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, but with other stakeholders as well. “The Ministry of Health and Social Development is indeed grateful to the Caribbean Commercial Bank, the platinum sponsor of the Vector Awareness Programme, for the invaluable monetary contributions and continued support over the past seven years,” he stated. “It is hoped that other stakeholders will be attracted to the future success of this important programme.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Baird identified staff recruitment, training and expanding the capability of the Environmental Health Unit as being critical to handling any vector disease outbreak, as some of the future goals. “This is crucial to our development as a country, and we should not refuse staff the opportunity to receive training,” he added.
The guest speaker was Chief Statistician, Lori-Rae Alleyne-Franklin, who spoke on “The Importance of Statistics/ Data in Vector Control.” She observed that vector control programmes sought to monitor environmental conditions that could increase risks for vector-borne diseases.
“The programmes support public and private pests management and should enforce vector control laws when necessary,” Mrs.Alleyne-Franklin continued. “Therefore, data should be the backbone for development of any programme relating to vector control. In today’s world… data should be used to guide decisions, set priorities and after the implementation of the relevant programmes, the progress should be monitored and evaluated.”
She pointed that the mere mention of the term monitoring in the development of vector control programmes, indicated that there was a need to collect data on environmental conditions in target areas. She joined the Minister in praising the Environmental Health Unit for the of designing programmes for monitoring and controlling vector-borne diseases caused by rodents, mosquitoes, cockroaches and fleas.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Senior Environmental Health Officer, Vincent Carty, who stressed the importance of vector control in safeguarding the health of the people of Anguilla.
Senior Vector Control Officer, Alex Fleming, said the role of the vector control team had become more problematic with the island’s gradual development. He reported that during 2012, so far, over 709 houses were visited with 276 inspected and 52 found positive with the dengue fever virus carried by the Aedesaegypti mosquito. He also reported that an average of 30 swamps, 975 open tombs and 75 drains were inspected and treated.
Mr. Fleming spoke about other control methods with respect to such pests as rodents, cockroaches, fleas and termites.
Meanwhile, among the planned vector awareness activities are the following – October 12: Primary School Poster & Theme Competition – submission date; October 16: Preschool Jingle Competition at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium; October 18: Stanley Mussington Campus B Essay Competition – submission date; October 12-19: Best Kept Cemetery Competition – judging period; October 23: Campus B Spelling Competition at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium.
