BOTSWANA CONGRESS PARTY - Press Release EBOLA EPIDEMIC ....IT IS TIME FOR AN ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE This is a response from the shadow minister of health of the BCP. The BCP has followed in a baited breath about the spread of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in west Africa seemingly spreading fast. In this global village era the possibility of a world epidemic in such a fast and easily transmissible disease is very high. The BCP recognizes the efforts that our government has done in protecting the nation by screening and limiting international travelers. Isolation facilities are also most welcome and we urge the government to be vigilant and none selective of the suspects. The rules should apply to all travelers. No one should be favored with home observations. There should be strict isolation centers observations. On Sunday 17th instant, there was media report, that an isolation center in Liberia has been violently raided. Contaminated beddings and other commodities apparently removed back into the communities. This will obviously compromise and set back the preventive measures already put in place in the affected West African region. Violence increases the risk of refugees fleeing the source countries through ungazetted areas. And also arriving through ungazeted ports and routes The Government should now urgently initiate an ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM over and above the screening system. These includes but not limited to; 1. All those who have come from the affected regions should be checked for not only symptoms but their travelling contacts in the epidemic countries is traced and documented. 2. Leaflets should be left in hotels and tourism areas to emphasize the need to establish the travel history in the previous three months before entering the Botswana 3. The Government should urgently assemble a group of family welfare educators or those of similar health training for a quick intense course on Ebola and its surveillance and prevention to cover all the health regions 4. Fast track reporting system should be put in place and longitudinal beaurocratic reporting lines be curtailed. 5. The nation should now be intensely educated on the disease The BCP stands by the efforts to save our nation. However in such a sudden threat to life its often that the lines between human rights and freedom of individuals get very blurred. We plead with the government to keep a clear eye on the above. These will be challenging times. Thank you. The message is brought to you by the Shadow Minister of Health Hon. Dr.Habaudi Hobona
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 08:54:34 +0000
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