THE EDITOR: Having been put through the proverbial blender by the pandemic four very short years ago, you would think this country's public health apparatus would have responded quickly and efficiently to the annual rainy-season scourge that is the dengue virus.
This country and those charged with overseeing its public health sector responded professionally and efficiently to deal with the covid virus.
What was remarkable and very laudable was the speed and professionalism the ministry, its minister, the RHAs and everyone within the public health sector responded to the covid virus.
People who were responsible for managing the nation's response to the pandemic have rightly been recognised, by way of national awards, for their selfless service to the nation, and the saving of lives.
The blueprint of TT's response to covid19, the ensuing pandemic and lockdown, should be the standard protocol for any and every national public health emergency. This is only logic and common sense.
So then why this lethargic response by the health sector to treat with the current dengue emergency?
During covid, the population was bombarded with figures, statistics, press releases and press conferences. There was a public education drive the likes of which TT had never seen before. The three Ws became TT's new watchwords: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance.
But what about dengue?
Hundreds of confirmed cases (and probably thousands more unconfirmed) and, at the time of writing, five confirmed deaths. Where are the press releases? Where is the public spraying and fogging? How many people have been charged with aiding in the breeding of the virus' vector, the
Aedes aegypti?
Are there enough beds in the health system for those with acute dengue? Are there enough mosquito nets? Can't Government purchase these nets en masse and distribute them to the public, especially in those areas were cases are high? Where is the explosion of public education on the dangers of dengue and the ways to minimise its spread?
Has Government not learnt from the covid pandemic how tenuous this thing called health is? And how easy it is for a country's public service, its protective service and other arms to be affected or even collapse, if enough people fall ill at the same time with dengue?
Are dengue patients being isolated and kept under mosquito nets at our health systems? Or are they being given a prescription for painkillers and told to go back home so they can present themselves to feed and infect voracious mosquitoes which then fly next door, or across the road, to bite and infect others?
Why the silence?
Minister Deyalsingh, you of all people should know that Trinis are not responsible in general. You can't take the position that: "I have already spoken on dengue, so I done." No!
Do you think Minister Hinds, on being appointed, told bandits, gunmen and gansgters: "Don't do that again, eh," and then washed his hands of all responsibility? Wait. Ok. Bad example, this. Forget I spoke about Hinds.
Minister Deyals
