OPPOSITION spokesperson on health and healthy lifestyle, Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte, has urged Health Minister Fenton Ferguson to be proactive and act decisively in leading a comprehensive vector control programme.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesperson also urged Dr Ferguson to take the lead in engaging other entities, including the Ministry of Local Government, National Solid Waste Management Authority, parish councils and civil society in fighting the wave of mosquitoes now shrouding communities across the island.

At the same time, she has expressed concern about the health ministry’s lethargic response so far, through its initial public comments on the issue.

“There is a serious public health problem looming. With the recent rains, mosquitoes are swarming many communities, the minister cannot allow himself to fall asleep, resulting in a tardy response to the problem. We cannot afford to end up with a chikungunya-like crisis,” she said.

“A comprehensive ongoing vector control program must be implemented now. We know that resources are limited but the health minister must solicit the participation of other public entities and the wider society, including business associations, youth groups, churches and citizens associations,” said the JLP spokesperson.

Senator Malahoo Forts insisted that the delayed response of the Ministry of Health may end up costing the country more, and maintained that action is required now.

The Ministry of Health, in a release earlier this week, said parish health departments continued to routinely fog selected areas to eliminate adult mosquitoes, and invited citizens to contact the health department in their parish to report any area that they believe may need to be fogged.

The ministry also urged persons to destroy mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites as recent rainfall would result in an increase in the mosquito population.

Householders and businesses were also encouraged to get rid of mosquito breeding sites by looking for anything in which water can settle and either cover it, keep the area dry, clean it regularly, fill it with soil or sand, punch holes into it and recycle or properly dispose of it.