–calls for better information dissemination

The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) has welcomed the ongoing fogging exercise in local communities but is raising some concerns about the dissemination of information.ECHO said in a press release that inadequate notice to residents of local communities is affecting the effectiveness of the campaign and some citizens have expressed surprise about the exercise in their area.
ECHO said further that residents have no information about the chemicals being used in the fogging exercise and what are the likely side effects, if any, particularly for residents who are living with respiratory challenges. They need to know in order to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from any potential risks, ECHO noted.
The dissemination of information is a vital aspect of any public health campaign because it allows likely beneficiaries to understand and appreciate the benefits of it and the role they ought to play to enhance its effectiveness.
Therefore, ECHO is calling on the competent authorities to provide citizens with all the necessary information about this exercise.
The fogging exercise began on Tuesday in various communities in Georgetown such as East, West, North and South Ruimveldt and throughout South Georgetown. The exercise was conducted twice daily – at 05:00hrs and at 22:30hrs.

Wednesday the fogging activity continued in Meadow Brook Gardens, Durban Backlands, Lodge, Charlestown, North East La Penitence, Werk-en-Rust and Wortmanville.

And yesterday,the fogging continued in Greater Georgetown in Newtown, Alberttown, Queenstown, Bourda, Cummingsburg, Lacytown and Stabroek.
Tomorrow the exercise will continue in Kitty, Campbellville, Prashad Nagar, Bel Air, Sophia and surrounding areas.

(Asif Hakim)