Tufton says Jamaica health ministry improving protocols on health alerts

Written by Monika Walker

Published

Updated

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is undertaking a comprehensive review of its Integrated Vector Management Programme which will, among other things, improve protocols for triggering alerts and outbreak management.

This comes amid criticisms against the ministry by some about its lack of timeliness in alerting Jamaicans about vector issues.

Portfolio Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, in delivering his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives this afternoon, stated that the review will also result in the regularisation of the number of full-time and temporary workers serving the programme; improve the available equipment for fogging; and public education at the parish level.

Tufton said another component of the review is to address persons who breach the law in facilitating breeding sites.

According to him, 2,948 citations were served for prosecution under the Public Health Act in 2018.

Tufton disclosed that 374,530 premises in 2,819 communities were inspected in 2018.

He further disclosed that 60,867 or 16% of those premises were found to be positive as breeding sites for the Aedes mosquito.

Additionally, 759,529 containers were inspected which revealed that 89,987 or 12% were found to be positive as breeding sites for the mosquito.

Tufton said that the acceptable WHO limit for breeding sites is less than five per cent.

Author Profile

Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.