Grenada Monitors ZIKA VIRUS (ZikaV) in the Region

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, MAY 20, 2015 – GIS: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is seriously concerned and aware of unconfirmed media reports in the region, (Jamaica) of the Zika virus, a virus carried by Mosquitoes, (ZikaV).

However whereas the Ministry has sought clarification and confirmation of such reports, through regular and appropriate channels, the Ministry is still awaiting official communiqué from its trusted and reliable public health agencies including the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization and Caribbean Public Health Agency, about the presence of  the virus in our region.

Meanwhile the MOH will like to reiterate and remind the general public of their individual responsibility, to keep their surroundings clean and free from all potential mosquito breeding sites, inclusive of all water holding containers, old tires, bottles, tins, buckets, coconut-shells etc.

The public is also reminded of potential public health hazards and threats, which can arise as a result of indiscriminate waste disposal.

However, in light of the latest public health development and concern, the Ministry has called a meeting of its task-force in accordance with standard protocols.

Presently Grenada has no recorded or suspected cases of the virus and as such the Ministry will continue to remain vigilant by monitoring and safeguarding the public’s health interest.

The public can rest assured that the Ministry will provide regular updates when information comes to hand.

ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS

The Zika virus was first isolated in 1947 in Zika Forest (Uganda), in a Rhesus monkey during a study of the transmission of wild yellow fever. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 (Uganda, Tanzania).

In 2007 the first major outbreak of Zika virus fever occurred on the island of Yap (Micronesia) where 185 suspected cases were reported, of which 49 were confirmed and 59 were considered probable. The outbreak lasted 13 weeks (April to July). The probable vector was identified as being Aedes Hensilii, however the presence of the virus in the mosquito could not be determined.

At the end of October 2013, there was an outbreak in French Polynesia. Approximately 10,000 cases were registered, of which approximately 70 were severe cases. The vectors responsible for transmission were Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Polynesiensis.

In February 2014, the public health authorities of Chile confirmed that there was a case of autochthonous transmission of Zika virus infection in Easter Island (Chile).

That same year, cases were also recorded in New Caledonia and in the Cook Islands. To date, NO DEATHS have been attributed to Zika virus infection in any of the reported outbreaks.

After an infected mosquito bite, the disease symptoms usually appear following an incubation period of three to twelve (12) days.

The infection may present itself as asymptomatic or with a moderate clinical picture.

In symptomatic cases, with moderate disease, the symptoms appear acutely and include fever, non-purulent conjunctivitis, headache, myalgia and arthralgia, asthenia, maculopapular rash, edema in the lower limbs and less frequently, retro-orbital pain, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. The symptoms last for 4-7 days and are self-limiting.

PHASE 2 OF THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CONTINUES

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 - GIS:  Work has started in earnest on what is popularly referred to as the metal/steel structure at the St. George’s General Hospital.

On Tuesday an official from the Government Information Services (GIS) made a visit to the site where workmen were observed welding and bolting metal frames while crane operators were also seen moving heavy building materials for installation.

The announcement of the recommencement of work on Phase 2 of the General Hospital project was made in July of 2014, at a joint news conference and signing ceremony by Works Minister, Gregory Bowen and former Health Minister, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen along with Mr. German Gonzales, the Project Manager of Inversiones 7000 A.C,C.A, construction company.

One of the first buildings almost completed under that project is the former Eye Ward. As part of the project, contractors will also carry out work on the Obstetrics-Gynecology ward.

However the metal/steel structure is expected to house the new Accident and Emergencies Department, Laboratory and Imaging to name a few.

Phase 2 of the General Hospital project, was supposed to be a major development at the General Hospital as it relates to services delivery and access for investment.

Following the July 2008 general elections, the Hospital project (Ph-2) was abandoned by the then Tillman Thomas administration who claimed that the building was inadequately designed and promised a new hospital.

Not being able to fulfill their promise of a new hospital, when the (NDC administration) lost the elections in February 2013, the new Keith Mitchell Government then engaged a number of local and international consultants.

At last July’s signing the then Health Minister Dr. Modeste-Curwen told reporters that the continuation of phase 2 does not in any way take away from our commitment to a new hospital.

“A new hospital is very much on Government’s agenda and we are looking for alternative financing. The Ministry of Finance has held discussions with several entities that are interested in a public private partnership” she explained.

Dr. Modeste-Curwen noted that, “The previous Government had started work on the concept and we believe that it was a justified move to make. Of course the cost was phenomenal (a number of millions) and our hesitation coming into office was that the plan was based on a loan agreement and because the nation is all concerned about the public debt we felt that with the state of the economy it was not the best thing to go into at this time,”.

Phase 2 of the General Hospital project is expected to cost US250,000.00 - while component 2 will cost US1.03M. The project is funded by the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela.

300+ Students to Benefit From the Ask Listen Learn Programme

ST. GEORGE, GRENADA, May 6, 2015 – GIS: A total of 375 students will receive training, as part of the Ask Listen Learn programme, developed by the Washington D.C. based Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, which leads the fight to eliminate underage drinking.

Students from Grades 4, 5 and 6, from three primary schools, Mt. Moritz Anglican, St. David's R.C. and the St. Andrew's Methodist School, have been selected to participate in the programme. In order to facilitate the delivery of the curriculum, the Regional Beverage Alcohol Alliance (RBAA), a social responsibility organization, will present a laptop and a projector to each school.

Several teachers from the respective schools, received specialized training, as part of a 'Train the Trainers’ workshop, for the 'Ask Listen Learn Programme,' onTuesday 28 April, 2015.

RBAA Chairman, Dr. Patrick Antoine, said, “We are clearly, within the Caribbean, facing an epidemic, where the statistics suggest that our children are being introduced to alcohol far too early. For some of us, it is not good enough to sit on the sidelines and be commentators. We have to become very proactive, in terms of finding solutions, where they exist, that can assist us in making the inroads we want, into dealing with clearly what is an emerging social problem.”

Dr. Patrick Antoine was accompanied by Ms. Stacey Clarke from the RBAA, both of whom traveled to Grenada for the workshop, which was facilitated by two of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility’s (FAAR’s) educators, Ms. Genevieve Adams and Ms. Elena Sonnino.

This program will be implemented as part of the Health and Family Life Education curriculum of the selected primary schools and is facilitated by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, specifically the Curriculum Unit.

Its objectives are to enhance character development, instill life-skills development, prepare students to become engaged citizens and provide students with the knowledge to not only promote healthy behaviours, but to contribute to success in school and beyond.  In addition to being theoretically grounded, the Ask Listen Learn Programme will feature a number of digitally based interactive exercises designed to build critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and healthy self-management.