Health concerns at Roseau Primary School

Concerned parents at the school on Tuesday morning
Concerned parents at the school on Tuesday morning

Parents of students attending the Roseau Primary School are concerned wersand are seeking answers as to what is causing their children to fall sick while attending the institution.

They are also angry over what they described as the “hush hush attitude” of officials over the real reason why the school was shut down last week Tuesday.

Reports reaching DNO indicate that students began getting sick and a child fainted last week when an old building adjacent to the Government Information Service (GIS) in Bath Estate was being demolished.

Reports are the school was shut down and students were told to return on Tuesday. However, the problem of students falling sick resurfaced.

One parent at the school on Tuesday, said she became very concerned after she witnessed an asthmatic child “falling for the third time.”

She said since the demolition of the building she too has been experiencing severe itching on her body.

The building being demolished near the school
The building being demolished near the school

“I am very concerned about what is happening in the Bath Estate area,” she said, “As a parent I think it is really unacceptable that no one came, not from the ministry of health, not from the school itself to alert the parents as to what is taking place at the school.”

Another parent said she called the ministry of health on Tuesday when she saw students fainting at the school.

The students were subsequently sent home at around 10:00 am.

When contacted, the principal of the school said she could not comment on the matter but the ministry of education would send a release soon.

Attempts were made by DNO to contact the ministry of health and the ministry of education without success.

Rumors have been swirling in Bath Estate that asbestos may be the culprit behind the entire situation, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.

Exposure to asbestos can causes diseases including malignant mesothelioma and other cancers.

“As a parent I went online and I looked up asbestos and what I saw, the effects of being exposed to asbestos does, I mean as a parent, can you expect parents to send their children to school, exposed to that, and they are asking the children as well as the teachers to come to school,” a parent said on Tuesday.

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41 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    At least Roseau Primary has a fresh coat of paint…more than can be said of the school in Calibishie…

  2. Long Tongue
    January 28, 2014

    Well well MARTT IN THE MORNING Hot. Like fire Dominica is Pregnant with so many issues alas papa Bon Dieu send works back tar pi su ple

    • January 29, 2014

      This shows the disregard that the government has for its citizens. The catholic church in Roseau knew what to do before the asbestos was removed from the roof but these people do things without thinking. They do things ‘too chaud too flam’. All what they do is without proper planning and money is wasted in the process since things have to be done over again. They have never managed things in the past so our country is suffering with incompetent leaders. We have one more chance to rescue Dominica from these incompetent and greedy leaders at the polls this general elections. Please people don’t be fooled by the bribes. After that, what happens for the rest of the five years? Misery, misery. Give team Dominica and chance to move the country forward and to rescue our Dominica. Thanks.

  3. texam
    January 28, 2014

    Omg,asbestos.

  4. Lady
    January 28, 2014

    I just pray that our kids get better and a quick investigation is carried out to find whats wrong. I know tha such investigation cannot be done in a day but the kids and parents needs some reassurance. So the people that are being paid the salary to do their job, get on it. I don’t mean you, PM.

  5. truth
    January 28, 2014

    Eveerything is politics i wondet if G I S workers fainting and getting sick to

  6. please
    January 28, 2014

    I witnessed the kids being sick. Some do not attend school. Parents complain in kids sick. Teachers having problems and all that time hey had not even linked it to his. But tracing back, I all started a few days after the building was being broken down.no don’t think It is all asbestos. Theres somsomething else that came from the building

  7. WS
    January 28, 2014

    I find it strange the MOE has not issued an official report.

  8. Anonymous
    January 28, 2014

    I didn’t know asbestos was used in tropical buildings. I know that it was used for insulation in cold climates.

  9. change is a must
    January 28, 2014

    “next level” = keep hiding the truth. And hence change is a must!!!!

  10. Kelly
    January 28, 2014
  11. Practical
    January 28, 2014

    So sorry to hear about this. Will the authorities concerned please get this sorted out ASAP?

  12. love I
    January 28, 2014

    They should have closed the school, or why did they not demolish the building during the holidays..it is the dust that is doing that…the school has to be wiped down properly even hose down the roof…

  13. concern for my youth
    January 28, 2014

    SO AN ABSESTOS BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AT GIS didn’t any of the employees at GIS get sick, what about the pass byers and person around around the area are they to getting sick…..? jUST SAYING

    • oh yes
      January 28, 2014

      No they did not because they were being protected. And I witnessed the children getting sick. They got all he residues full blast from the demolished building

  14. Too Hard Too Long
    January 28, 2014

    Has it been said that asbestos is in the area? Has there even been an investigation? We tend to jump to conclusion and then start venting before we even get to the facts.

    The parents demand an explanation. In the meantime, they should also be careful to guard against “mass hysteria”. It’s quite possible that the children are falling sick because the parents are talking about the area being sickly (the power of suggestion).

    In any case, demand facts to avoid focusing on the wrong issue.

    • tell me
      January 28, 2014

      yes the people in the area are being affected as well. some of the people working on it were affected

    • looky
      January 28, 2014

      I wish u were there to see what was happening. U as well need the right info. Children suffering since the building began goin down. If not asbestos then something else because the symptoms were evident. Itching, coughing, fatigue, kids staying home, parents complain in of sick kids,kids hhold in their chests,ambulance making rounds a few days after his work

      • Too Hard Too Long
        January 29, 2014

        I have no info. I’m looking forward to clarification on the matter. What I’m saying is that we should not comment on a foregone conclusion.

  15. my
    January 28, 2014
  16. shaka zulu
    January 28, 2014

    Was able to listen on Q95 this morning and the first thing that came to mind after listening to the parents was mold and mildew. Asbestos is bad but does not show instant effect. With all th rain and humidity mold growth explode with the deacibed effects

    • sz
      January 28, 2014

      Sorry eant “described” effects

      GOV officials should at least give a release saying they investigating the matter. It would at least calm some ppl

  17. Anonymous
    January 28, 2014

    So different to the way the replacement of the Roseau Cathedral was done!!!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  18. Health facts
    January 28, 2014

    Exposure to asbestos does not cause fainting or rashes. Dominicans educate yourselves. Children who are asthmatic are affected by any dust even by fruit trees flowering. Asbestos can cause long term health problems, not short term.

    • pretty
      January 28, 2014

      Ok so we should not be conncerned about the loñg term effects.when our children sick where will u be and ur children.parents have every right to be concerned.y dont u transfer ur children there or u go sit there from 9-3:30 everyday. Get a grip.

      • Too Hard Too Long
        January 28, 2014

        You are deliberately missing the point.

    • here here
      January 28, 2014

      I think u r right. There r other particles cousin the problem. But the children suffering is no make up story. It is real

  19. rosa parks
    January 28, 2014

    This thing causes cancer. It’s a health harzard and Health officials and parents need to take precautionary action. Look children falling sick. In case of any severe sickness caused by this thing in the future will the Government take responsibility to offer medical Aid? This is total carelessness on the part of those in charge.

  20. vern
    January 28, 2014

    I wonder whether the GIS staff are also affected by this?

    • here here
      January 28, 2014

      No they were protected. Its the schools and the neighborhood that were affected

  21. Whistler
    January 28, 2014

    Wow, one the state of affairs of Ministries in the Governance of Dominica should be praised of it’s Ability to show a lack of concern on issues by it’s Citizenry.

    Again shows what mentality of tolerance and Ignorance which breathes rapidly into the Mind,Heart and Soul of Dominicans…

    Good Job Labour Regime, the citizens of Dominica Remain in silent at all levels..

    Sums up a Fools Paradise…….Dominica!

  22. Tri-State Beauty
    January 28, 2014

    ….but the PM busy paying attention to UWP, how much they’re traveling and where they’re getting money from.It’s only today after 14 years he wants to release travel info. This is serious and alarming, the children, teachers, staff should have no contact with this building. Jah guide and protect the children of Dominica.

    • Respect
      January 29, 2014

      HUH ???? Really with commets like these who cannot get sick :oops:

  23. original 007
    January 28, 2014

    Some off these old building are painted in led paint.and there might be asbestos in those building

  24. Anonymous
    January 28, 2014

    Exposure to asbestos don’t cause fainting. You may develop scaring of the lungs. Which may lead to cancer. And acute exposure will not harm you.

    • Health facts
      January 28, 2014

      Exactly, while I understand parents’ concern, they are over-reacting and not informing themselves.

      • please
        January 28, 2014

        They r over reacting because their students r sick. As for the information, they need to look it up as well

  25. zulo
    January 28, 2014

    alas alas. National assessment around the corner my child needs to be focused. wicked people

  26. .....
    January 28, 2014

    This is really crazy…

  27. grell
    January 28, 2014

    No one has to tell me,this is exposure to asbestos,come on the government is breaking down this old building and no sort of protection from these kids.Asbestos causes several cancers.

    • DA
      January 28, 2014

      I did a whole day seminar on asbestos, and I know it do not affect you suddenly, maybe in ten years, and asbestos sheet is harmless, its the fiber asbestos like what they use around pipe that’s dangerous.

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