A mission regarding the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) has been hosted in Dominica and according to national epidemiologist, Dr Paul Ricketts, there is a need to implement systems to detect health threats.
He noted that that strong mechanisms are needed at the various ports of entry in Dominica to monitor potential threats going in and out of the country.
“At each port when a vessel is coming in there is a requirement that those vessels must be interrogated to ensure that there is no unusual activity on board the vessel whether in case of the humans on board or the cargo sometimes cargo may have live animals or animal products,” he said. “And we have to ensure that the conveyance aircraft or ship is safe and there are no threats on board.”
According to him if there are persons on board who may be ill, then there should be a mechanism in place to assess the individual and to be able to provide appropriate treatment for the individual.
He pointed out further that many of the regulations in the IHR have already been in place in Dominica however there is need to build on some of those regulations.
The mission which was held from July 28th – August 01, 2014 comprised representatives of the National Focal Point (NFP) of Canada, the United States and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 is the international legal framework “to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with the level of public health risks while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade”.
Dr Ricketts explained that the scope of the IHR has been broadened to include things such as radiation emergencies, chemical emergencies, and anything that has a potential impact on human health.
“Surveillance involves not only diseases in humans but also diseases in animals that may affect humans,” he said. “We need to have strong exchanges of this information from sectors other than health so you begin to see the need for a strong mechanism to ensure that all sectors in the country are working together to protect the nation. You also need to have in place training, and development of human resources to ensure that all these competencies are maintained because we don’t want to just set something up for today and tomorrow somebody moves on and then we are not able to maintain those operations.”
In the meantime Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer ,added that Dominica has taken the implementation of the IHR very seriously.
The International Health Regulations (2005) came into force on June 15, 2007. Dominica has been working towards meeting its obligations since 2005 and had made significant progress under the core competencies and capabilities required under the IHR (2005).
Dr. Ricketts needs to be careful. It appears that any suggestions or implied critic of the current health care system in Dominica is met with scorn by Labor Party Honchos, namely the Prime Minister and Minister of Health. Although none of these political bosses are trained medical professionals, they appear to have all the answers.
It is no wonder why the Marigot Hospital was closed due to termite infestation and the Princess Margaret Hospital, well that one needs its own column and an entire day to analyze.
Now I am hearing something. Doctor thanks for your contribution.
Thanks Dr. Ricketts, I sincerely hope that you are not one of the dedicated professionals who are not going to be targeted at the next budget speech……..ohhhhh well, I am happy to announce that there will be a new government in office then……TEAM DOMINICA…SINCERE , RESPECT FOR PROFESSINALS, good governance…….so we good. Dominica will be safe. You see, among IP, Eigph, or IP (etc…etc….etc) your name is a very familiar one…