The Ministry of Health recently received a donation of equipment and supplies from the Pan American Health Organisation PAHO to assist the country amidst the recent outbreak of Dengue Fever last year.

PAHO Country Program Specialist Reynold Hewitt says his organization remains committed to assisting Saint Lucia in strengthening its vector control measures.

“These equipment and all accessories will be used for entomological surveillance and on behalf of PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Yitades Gebre I hand over these items to the Chief Environmental Health Officer where they will be used for controlling mosquitoes and help to reduce the indices of these mosquitoes in Saint Lucia.”

Chief Environmental Health Officer Parker Ragnanan says the donation of equipment and supplies is extremely needed to decrease the population of the Aedes Egypti mosquitoes.

“These items are indeed needed as our stock has been completely depleted. We have also had outdated equipment, some that are non-functional at this time and so we want to assure the Pan American Health Organisation that these items will be put into very good use for the benefit of the country as a whole and so we want to thank you again for them and look forward to continue collaboration with your organization in improving and sustaining the health of all Saint Lucians alike.”

Environmental Health Officer for Vector Control Charletta Charles expressed gratitude to the Pan American Health Organisation PAHO for the donation and says it is will be used to fight the Dengue battle in Saint Lucia.

“It is truly necessary for us to continue our battle against the Aedes Egypti mosquito and the spread of Dengue Fever across the island. We would like to say a big thank you. We would also like to encourage our follow Saint Lucians to remember that although we have not been having so many cases of Dengue that we should still be aware that Dengue is still endemic to the island and we may have cases and outbreaks in the future.”

The donation from PAHO included posters, water boots, chemical gloves, ear muffs, full face respirators, handheld foggers, vehicle mounted fogger and mosquito repellant to name a few.