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Bird flu plans discussed with PAHO
Monday, July 24, 2006
From Left to Right: Ministry of Health and Human Services, Policy Officer Ms Satina DaCosta, Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Anthony S. Eden, Representative of PAHO/WHO, Dr Ernest Pate, PAHO/WHO Environmental Health Advisor Dr Anna Treasure and Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar.
With bird flu showing no signs of disappearing the Cayman Islands remains at risk like many other international jurisdictions.
At a recent meeting between Cayman officials and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) this country's preparedness plans for a pandemic were discussed.
PAHO's Dr Ernest Pate and Dr Anna Treasure spoke with the Minister of Health and Human Services, the Hon. Anthony Eden, and government department representatives, about the Cayman Islands National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan.
Attending the meeting were officials from the Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agriculture departments, and Cayman's Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The group identified areas that will be enhanced as well as regional plans on the flu pandemic preparedness, and the need for developing risk communication plans across the region.
"It is very important to maintain regional surveillance systems,'' Mr Eden said. "We also understand that it is even more critical to understand that effective communication is the key to managing the disease and preventing social panicking."
To further assist Cayman with its plan, Mr Eden said local officials would be attending a Caribbean sub-regional workshop, titled National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, in Barbados.
Mr. Eden also discussed with Dr Pate possible consultancies from PAHO for the review of the Public Health services and a review of Mental Health Services with the aim of establishing a new structure that will integrate public health services performed by the Department of Public Health and Environmental Health and a review of Mental Health Services with the aim of developing a comprehensive community Mental Health programme.
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