Cabinet Approves $30.2 Million to Fight Malaria

Cabinet yesterday (December 4), approved an allocation of $30.2 million, to provide an emergency response to the outbreak of malaria in certain parts of the country.
“This sum is intended to support a rigorous malaria prevention and control programme in order to ensure that we prevent the local transmission of the malaria parasite; identify cases of malaria in order to effect prompt treatment in hospitals; prevent complications and further spread, and maintain Jamaica’s malaria free status,” Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan outlined.
He was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, held at Jamaica House.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there are 13 reported cases of malaria in Kingston (Delacree Park, Denham Town, Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens), and Sydenham Villas in St. Catherine.
Mr. Buchanan said the Government recognized the importance of controlling and preventing the disease, and as such, the affected areas that have been identified, “will be given immediate and definitive treatment to ensure that the matter is contained and.every measure is being put in place to prevent any spread from the identified areas”.
Minister of Health, Horace Dalley is expected to give a comprehensive statement on the matter in Parliament today (December 5).