The Government is facing mounting criticism for its sluggish response to a suspected outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the Lusignan-Mon Repos areas on the East Coast Demerara, despite warnings raised more than a week ago. The delay in addressing the situation highlights a troubling pattern of inaction, leaving vulnerable children at risk and raising questions about the effectiveness of public health communication and the role of the Ministry of Health.
Village Voice News first reported the alarming cases at a private primary and nursery school on the East Coast Demerara more than a week ago, sounding the alarm that the outbreak on the children may be symptomatic of the HFMD disease and called for immediate intervention.
The call for action from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education was echoed by concerned parents and public spirited citizens. Earlier this week the opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) posted harrowing photos of children suffering from HFMD symptoms, highlighting the severity of the situation. The photos above are of children living in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara
More than a week after the crisis was first reported, the Government finally issued a statement confirming the investigation of suspected cases. However, the delay in action has left many questioning the government’s commitment to public health, especially when it comes to the protection of children.
The Ministry of Health’s statement, issued earlier yesterday, revealed that an expert team from the Ministry of Health visited the region on March 11 to assess the situation. A follow-up visit was conducted on March 18, and samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for further confirmation. Despite this, the public is still left in the dark about the true extent of the outbreak, and the government has provided no clear timeline on when results or more definitive information will be available.
HFMD is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects children of primary school age, although adults can also contract it. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful sores in the mouth, and rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks. While typically not severe, the disease is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in school environments, posing a significant public health risk.
The Ministry’s statement urged the public to take preventive measures, such as regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. However, the failure to act swiftly to contain the outbreak has raised concerns. With children still attending school in affected areas, many feel that the government’s response has been woefully inadequate.
Experts have long stressed the importance of early intervention in managing contagious diseases, especially when they involve young children. The fact that it took over a week for the government to officially respond, despite media reports and opposition party action, paints a picture of a government unprepared to handle public health crises in a timely manner.
Moreover, there is growing concern over the lack of coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, which has left many parents uncertain about the safety of sending their children to school. The government’s lack of proactive communication about the risks, preventive measures, and the status of the outbreak has left communities in a state of confusion and unease.
With the Ministry of Health now scrambling to contain the outbreak, the question remains: why did it take so long for the government to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and act on the warnings raised earlier?
Meanwhile parents in the affected region are left to navigate the uncertainty, unsure if their children are at risk, and frustrated with a government that appears more reactive than proactive.
