To curb mosquito nuisance
A MOSQUITO nuisance, one of the effects of the current rainy season, has been affecting citizens across the country with the situation particularly acute in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). And so a heavy duty fogging machine has been deployed to New Amsterdam and its surrounding areas over the past few weeks to alleviate the nuisance.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, is calling on citizens to play their part in ensuring that their environment is kept clean and to “aggressively” assist in the clean-up campaign.
Speaking with this newspaper yesterday at his office on Brickdam in Georgetown, Ramsaran said in response to ongoing concerns from the heavily populated areas of Region Six, and following his visits there, a second machine has been dispatched to the Region.
He said the second machine, which was pressed into service over the weekend, will be operated by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The RDC, he pointed out, has persons specifically trained to effectively operate the machine that will continue to support the fogging exercise.
This second machine will also be used in other parts of the densely populated areas along the Coast.
In addition, he said the Ministry has procured 40 ‘Hutson’ spray pumps for distribution across the regions. These will be used to spray areas that are hard to reach, where water stagnates. Three of these pumps have been given to Region Six.
Ramsaran mentioned, too, that Government has recently utilised the protracted dry spell to clean many kilometers of drains and canals.
While noting that this has served to relieve the mosquito problem, Ramsaran stressed that the community needs to address the issues surrounding the small drains. “The issue of citizens assisting in clearing drains close to their property is also of serious concern. Mosquitoes do not breed in free-flowing water,” he pointed out.
He said the Ministry is calling on citizens to understand that fogging is a part of the initiative employed to deal with the mosquito nuisance and hence, they must respect, protect and keep their environment clean.
Ramsaran spoke against always blaming Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green for the bad practices of citizens and emphasised that citizens need to do their part as well.
“Throw your tires in a covered area, make a pathway from the puddle to the drain, and cut your grass,” he advised.
Contributing to the nuisance are stagnant puddles, discarded tires, styrofoam boxes, barrels and drums used for household purposes that are left uncovered.
Ramsaran announced that the Ministry will be executing a workshop on Integrated Vector Control Management at the Tower Hotel from May 18 to 21.
The workshop is a joint initiative with the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and 52 participants from all the regions across the country will be trained, he disclosed.
The Health Ministry has been following this nuisance, especially across the Coast, and has been very vigilant when it comes to vector borne diseases.
He said the Ministry has also been keeping an eye on malaria, dengue and other water-borne diseases, and is keeping tabs on complaints from municipalities and communities across the Coast and other heavily populated areas.
The Georgetown municipality has already started its fogging campaign using its equipment, along with what was provided by the Health Ministry, he said.
The National Vector Control Services has provided the Council with insecticide needed for the fogging exercise, he added.