ORTT’S PARASRAM AT CENTRE OF DENGUE CRISIS

CHIEF Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Roshan Parasram, who was given Trinidad and Tobago’s highest honour two years ago, is at the centre of the current deadly dengue crisis.

The health emergency is also unmasking Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s lack of action.

The Ministry of Health, of which Parasram is the most senior public officer, failed to take preventative measures and now hundreds of people are infected and at risk of losing their lives.

The slow-moving pace is in sharp contrast to most other Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, where Prime Minister Andrew Holness launched clean-up and public education campaigns last October.

The local Health Ministry declined to take preventative steps in spite of critical warnings several months ago from the Port of Spain-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

CARPHA advised of a rising emergency in mosquito-borne diseases and urged the strengthening of routine surveillance.

The agency also stressed educating the public “of the importance of keeping their surroundings free of mosquito breeding sites and avoiding mosquito bites.”

The T&T Ministry of Health intervened only a few weeks ago, when there was already a high infection rate.

Minister Terrence Deyalsingh threatened $3,500 fines on people who failed to keep their premises clean.

There was no Government-driven environmental sanitation drive.

In contrast, Holness last October allocated J $331 million to local authorities to mount an urgent countrywide campaign to clear garbage and water receptacles.

“Jamaica is experiencing a dengue outbreak,” the Prime Minister told his country eight months ago, “and we need to take precautions to protect our health.”

In Barbados, CMO Dr. Kenneth George addressed the nation last October and advised of “a high level of vigilance.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley also spoke on the crucial matter.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who is also dealing with Hurricane Beryl’s flattening of Carriacou, took preventative measures against dengue.

In St. Vincent, CMO Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache detailed precautionary action.

St. Kitts-Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and CMO Dr. Hazel Laws issued timely advice to citizens.

There was a similar pattern in most Caricom territories, each of which followed CARPHA’s guidance.

Unlike his regional counterparts, Rowley has not spoken on the medical emergency.

The political Opposition and other commentators have criticised the passive response in spite of CARPHA’s early warnings and the rampant mosquito invasion.

The Government has been accused of not initiating a mitigation campaign of having drains, waterways and garbage mounds cleared.

There was also criticism of the absence of a public sensitisation drive.

The Opposition called for the declaration of a public health emergency.

Parasram has kept mum in the midst of the dramatic turn of events relating to the health of the national community.

The CMO was awarded the Order of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) in 2022 in the sphere of public health following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parasram was also involved in a public controversy and lawsuit after the Ministry banned open-pyre cremations in the midst of the pandemic.

Cindy-Ann Ramsaroop-Persad took legal action against the State after her family was denied a permit to have her father cremated.

Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams upheld the constitutional lawsuit.

Parasram gave evidence for the State.

The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha filed a similar suit.

Ironically, Parasram is a family member of the Hindu Dharmcharya (religious leader), Dr. Rampersad Parasram.