Health Sector Preparations for CWC 2007 Well Advanced

With less than two weeks before the official opening ceremony for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, the Health Ministry has indicated that preparations for the health sector are almost completed.
Speaking yesterday (February 26), at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, < Minister of Information and Development, Hon. Donald Buchanan told journalists that some medical stations at both the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium and Sabina Park in Kingston, are in the final stages of completion and should be ready within the next two weeks. Mr. Buchanan further informed that the Ministry of Health has already identified all medical and health volunteers, adding that uniforms have been provided for all the volunteers. He noted, however, that all public health teams would wear work attire during the staging of Cricket World Cup. The Minister noted that upgrading work at the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny was in the final phase and should be completed by March 7. He added that in case of emergencies at the hospital, plans were in place to transfer persons to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay. "All radiology equipment, including CT scanners are presently in the island and are being installed; X-ray processors will arrive in the island next week and will be immediately installed. The MRI machine planned for the Kingston Public Hospital will not be installed until the end of March. All other medical supplies have been procured and therefore that aspect of the preparation is fully in place," he stated. In terms of surveillance, Mr. Buchanan said that mass gathering surveillance systems have been implemented since February 11, with approximately 20 Caribbean islands participating. A national environmental health programme has also been implemented with special emphasis on townships and stadia. "This programme includes vector control, environmental health, food safety, port health and waste management," he pointed out.