Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson says infectious diseases remain a major threat to Jamaica and the Caribbean Region.
Dr. Ferguson was speaking at the 13th Symposium of the Association of Consultant Physicians held at the Faculty of Medical Sciences Research and Teaching Complex at the UWI, Mona Campus recently under the theme “Update In Infectious Disease: The Bugs Are Back, Or Did They Really Leave”.
He said at this year’s World Health Assembly held in May, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Carissa Etienne warned that the Region should be prepared to deal with the threat of an infectious disease every year.
“Effective public health surveillance is critical for the early detection and prevention of epidemics. We have to ensure that our surveillance system is strengthened for surveillance of (i) known existing communicable diseases, especially those with high epidemic potential, (ii) early recognition of new infections, and (iii) monitoring the growing resistance to antimicrobial drugs,” Dr. Ferguson said.
The Minister added that “it is imperative that we all come together to find a way to reduce the susceptibility of our population to outbreaks of these diseases. This will mean a change in behaviour and long established practices that have continuously put us at risk for one disease or the other. Health system strengthening and implementing the International Health Regulations (2005) are two ways in which we can prepare the country to deal with new and re-emerging threats.”
He said the Government stands committed to move forward in every way possible to ensure the delivery of quality and affordable health services to all Jamaicans.