Chikungunya possible threat to upcoming elections

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — The authorities expect a total disruption of society if the Chikungunya epidemic is not addressed properly soon. They fear the situation might escalate to such an extent that it might prevent next year’s election from being held. Permanent secretary for Health, Marthelise Eersel, painted a grim picture with her doom scenario to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Health officials met with parliament and the government yesterday to discuss this health concern.
Eersel says the 594 officially confirmed cases are but the top of the iceberg. Leslie Resida, director of the Bureau for Public Health (BOG) even considers the real figures to be four times as high. Eerstel told the gathering that Suriname has no control over the dengue mosquito which also carries the Chikungunya virus. She explains that since this disease is new to Suriname the number of infected people is far more because the population is not resistant to the disease yet. Eersel called on the government and stakeholders including NGOs, community organizations, trade and industry organizations and citizens to join hands to fight the evil. ‘We need an emergency management to fight the disease.’
As a result from the meeting with parliament the Council of Ministers appointed the sub-council for Chikungunya for national coordination of all efforts.
In the days ahead the authorities will be directing their efforts at cleaning and spraying programs at schools for a smooth start of the academic year.
The Council of Minister adjourned it regular meeting yesterday to incorporate decisions taken at the meeting with health officials immediately.
Ashwin Adhin, acting Minister of Health, informed his colleagues on the result of the meeting. In his capacity of Minister Education he will order drafting of a handout on Chikungunya which teachers have to discuss with their students. In that way the authorities hope to spread the awareness to homes.