Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Residents of the Caymanas housing scheme in Portmore, St. Catherine, clean drains in the housing development yesterday in an effort to prevent an outbreak of malaria in their community. - Photo by Brian Carless

With more than 1,500 blood samples of persons in malaria-infected areas not yet tested, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party is suggesting that the total number of malaria cases may exceed the 61 confirmed cases reported yesterday by Health Minister Horace Dalley.

Following Mr. Dalley's statement to Parliament on the ministry's efforts to contain the disease, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding quizzed the minister about samples not yet tested.

Mr. Golding told his parliamentary colleagues that he had been informed late last week that the number of blood samples to be tested was 1,500. He asked the minister to tell the country whether there was a backlog of samples.

Confirmed by ministry

The minister confirmed that there was a build-up in the number of blood samples to be tested, adding that the ministry had sent samples to Canada for testing. He was, however, unable to give specific figures on the accumulated blood samples.

Derrick Smith, Leader of Opposition Business in the House, however, demanded answers from the minister, contending that information on a matter of such national importance should be available to the public.

Serious issue

"What I am requesting from you on a very serious issue with major national implication is that you ask an officer from the ministry before we break here this afternoon as to what is the status of the backlog at this time, and how many samples have been shipped out for testing," he asked.

However, at the end of the sitting, the minister did not provide the answers requested.

Mr. Dalley reported that the national health laboratories were under pressure, and that the 12 laboratory technicians in the public health service have been getting assistance from their Guyanese counterparts. Further, he said a laboratory technologist from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre would arrive in the island today to assist with the training of local technologists in "the making of smears and reading them."

Commenting on the malaria crisis, Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, Karl Samuda argued that the outbreak of the disease in the Kingston 12, 13 and 14 areas occurred as a result of neglect on the part of Government. He said no funds were allocated in the budget to address vector control.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dalley said a massive clean up exercise would begin today in sections of downtown Kingston as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

The Ministry of Health is also reminding the public that mass gatherings in malaria-infected communities are still prohibited until further notice.

Request to hold mass meeting s outside of specified boundaries must be made in writing to the medical officer of health at the Kingston and St. Catherine Health departments, five days prior to the event.

MALARIA HELPLINE

1888-663-5683/922-0024