–    daily reporting to improve monitoring
REGIONAL Health Services (RHS) Director, Dr. Narine Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle that the priority of health workers, during La Nina phase that results in flooding in some areas, is surveillance.
“We have our surveillance system in place and we are monitoring at least 10 conditions, including fever, diarrhoea and rashes,” he said.
Singh explained that daily reporting is being done to ensure that any causes for concern is picked up before it becomes a problem.
“We are trying to be on the safe side to ensure that there are no major health problems,” he said.
Dr. Singh disclosed that all the regional health departments are on alert and medical supplies are in adequate supply in all the regions.
When asked about the impact of the excessive rains on the regional hospitals and the health centres spread out in the communities, Singh said the impact was at a minimum.
“We had some flooding in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), but the necessary interventions were made,” Singh said.
A team of five, including doctors and medex, was deployed to De Kinderen, Meten-Meer-Zorg and Prem Nagar Area G Housing to assist residents, since the health centres in these areas were inundated on Monday after rainfall that measured above eight inches.
The RHS Director stated that other areas under threat, particularly the Mahaicony and Mahaica areas, are being closely monitored.
Singh said, “We are not only monitoring the situation, but we are taking all the necessary steps to make sure that there are no major problems…we are giving the residents all the help we can.”

Flood Safety
Additionally, in light of the increasing rainfall and the possibility of flooding, the Ministry of Health is advising the general public to pay special attention to water safety and personal hygiene.
Some of the safety measures suggest the following:
•    If you are living in flooded areas, stay out of the water as much as possible, as this can greatly reduce your chances of contracting diseases such as skin infections, leptospirosis, diarrhoeal and other water-borne diseases.
•    Keep children out of the water as they are most at risk of contracting diseases.
•    If you must go into the water, use protective footwear such as long boots. Prepare a foot bath of ½ cup of bleach to one bucket of water and wash your feet before entering the house. Then apply vaseline or oil to your skin as it forms a barrier and provides some protection from the dirty water.
•    During rainfall, you may notice an increase in mosquitoes. Protect yourself and family against mosquitoes by sleeping under mosquito nets; use mosquito repellents and coils and cover storage containers to reduce the breeding sites.
•    Use safe water for drinking, cooking and brushing your teeth, and for making ice and drinks. Safe water is water treated with bleach (PUR, Chlorosol) or boiled or bottled water.
•    Keep food separate, protected from the flood water.
•    Throw away all food that has been in contact with flood waters.
•    Wash all fruits and vegetables with treated water and peel before eating.
•    Keep all food items and drinking water in sealed containers
•    Cook food thoroughly.
•    Wash hands thoroughly with soap and safe water or use hand sanitizers, especially before and after eating meals, after going to the toilet or latrine, and taking care of the children.
•    Use the toilet or latrine and dispose of baby’s diapers properly. Do not let faeces get into the water.
•    Keep rubbish bins closed.
•    Watch out for animals. Snakes and centipedes that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or a stick to poke and turn items over and scare them away.
•    If your home was seriously affected by flood water and you suspect electrical wiring has been damaged, have it checked by a qualified person before turning the main electrical switch on.
•    Know the location of the main electrical breakers and the gas and water valves in your home, and ensure the path is clear to access them easily so that you can shut them off in emergencies.  
•    Turn off the main electrical switch and other utilities.
•    Place important documents and valuables in plastic and store them in a safe place.
Persons needing more information can call the Ministry of Health on 223-7355.