WITH the chikungunya virus continuing to affect scores of Jamaicans, and the threat of Ebola looming, the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) is moving to increase the knowledge and preparation of the country to fight the two.

“In consultation with our members, we have developed a strategy to improve the understanding of doctors and the public on chik-V and Ebola,” said MAJ president Dr Shane Alexis.
“One part of our strategy is to host a public forum on chik-V and Ebola, and its impact on Jamaica’s health and economy,” added Alexis.
The forum will be held tomorrow at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston and is open, free of cost, to everyone.

IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING
According to Alexis, some objectives of hosting this forum include: To help prepare Jamaica for the threat of Ebola; to improve the understanding of Jamaicans on chik-V and Ebola and its impact on their health; and to build stakeholder consensus on how to strengthen the Ministry of Health’s responsiveness to these threats.
The forum will have presentations on several topics, including chik-V and its projections over the next year; Ebola and its threat to Jamaica; and the Ministry of Health’s response to health threats: local and foreign.
“Jamaica’s national response to health-related threats must be multisectoral and inclusive,” declared Alexis as he urged persons to attend the forum. (Jamaica Gleaner)