Blue CAPS writes PAHO Director on Chikungunya threat in Guyana

[www.inewsguyana.com] – In an open letter to the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, who is currently visiting Guyana, Executive Chairman of the social change organization – Blue CAPS – Clinton Urling called attention to the serious “health crisis” unfolding in the country which he says is not being sufficiently addressed by the authorities.  

Urling went onto urge the PAHO Head to assist in this regard so that the necessary steps could be taken to address the debilitating Chikungunya viral threat.

“Unofficial reports indicate the virus has reached grave proportions in Guyana yet the health ministry is downplaying the health crisis and doing little to address it. Unconfirmed yet credible reports on the ground significantly surpass the documented 81 confirmed cases, as revealed by the PAHO Country Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow,” Urling pointed out in his letter.

“Entire families are experiencing symptoms that are consistent with this virus. Our young students are missing essential classroom time and studies in order to recover. Our private sector is losing its critical momentum for productivity as many employees must stay home to recover from the painful, dreadful effects and complications associated with Chikungunya,”he added.

Urling repeated his call for the health authorities to investigate immediately this concern and to develop a reporting system for health care institutions and the national health ministry to track confirmed cases of the virus.

In his letter, the Youth Advocate also called for health officials to be given the resources to conduct surveillance studies for tracing Chikungunya’s spreading pattern to determine how best to deploy targeted health and preventive interventions.

Urling requested that PAHO’s local office assist with “technical support and guidance for managing effectively the current situation.”