Dominica has received a commitment of assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) should the deadly disease Ebola surface on the island.
This is according to health minister, Julius Timothy, who has returned to Dominica from a just concluded Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) health ministers’ meeting in St. Vincent.
“We have also gotten a commitment from PAHO that should Ebola ever surface in Dominica; they will immediately take over and bring all the resources to Dominica within 72 hours,” he said. “But the reality is we must prepare because in those 72-96 hours. We have to be prepared and that is why one of the things that we are asking the Cubans is to have a team ready in case any of the OECS countries contract Ebola have a team ready to come to our aid.”
Dominica’s Agriculture minister Matthew Walter is leading a Dominica delegation which consists of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. David Johnson and Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Ricketts to Cuba where health minister from ALBA countries are meeting to discuss the Ebola situation.
Timothy said here in Dominica screening units for the disease are in place at the airport.
“In Dominica, we have in place screening units now at the Melville Hall airport and we are finalizing the screening area at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and we are also identifying an isolation area,” he said.
When questioned about the “isolation area” he said that it was not yet finalized.
Timothy also said the OECS secretariat has agreed to update all opposition parties in member states of the Ebola status.
“The OECS Secretariat has agreed that they are going to update all the leaders of the opposition of the islands on what the status is as it relates to Ebola. Because the truth is, we don’t want Ebola to be politicized,” he said.
According to the Dominican health minister, “this thing (Ebola) is too serious and the consequences are too disastrous for us to be politicizing it.”
He urged the press not to sensationalize the matter.
“We are also urging the press not to sensationalize Ebola,” Timothy said.
I think he would get more credit by putting the health of the nation FIRST before his political interest.
Are we Dominican suppose to believe Mr T. cause a week or two ago he said that we are READY for the Ebola. well I guest he taught them how to get ready like we are in Da.great Job.
Is Timothy authorised and qualified enough to talk on Ebola. …….during the absence of the out going Prime Minister…?????
Tim Tim Julius, please you are not credible and the sad story is we have to wait on the illegal Prime Minister to over shadow you….I am not sure you know what yo are talking about and who is it you are representing……
Good Bye…and please remember
CHANGE IS A MUST………TEAM DOMINICA
What are you talking about? You don’t want Ebola to become politicized? From what I’m reading everything in DA is politics, there’s nothing about the people of DA, it’s as if the other party is from another country.its a damn shame.
one day we Dominicans will have our own fings, and stop depending on our countries….
dominica, a beggars paradise
Tim Tim reminds me of an old car. First you repair the brakes, suspension, lower control arms, upper control arms, then the engine and finally the transmission goes awry. At this point, it’s time to part ways. I do not believe anything that comes out from his mouth.
Am happy to hear all these things are in the works, but why did you make that statement before saying we are ready? I would think by now an isolation place has already been targeted, so lets say someone comes in today with the disease where would you put them? its not a matter of if but when this thing hits the islands.
Matthew Walters ………Ebola or does DNO mean black segatoa. minister for agriculture leading a delegation on a health issue? we cannot be serious. I mean if is dr darroux or justina Charles they can go due to their profession But please not walters. Why nuh PM doh want him close to him man so sending him cuba is out of PM face