Plans to test all pregnant women

But, under questioning from Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe and Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh—both of whom specialize in women’s health and obstetrics— Deyalsingh said he could not give an answer just yet about when testing for all pregnant women might begin but it was “something we can look at and work with CARPHA.

“(Because of the cost) a few months ago CARPHA took the decision that… because resources are limited and the agency’s protocol is to put resources where they will have maximum impact— that is, pregnant women who present symptoms, the elderly and children under five,” Deyalsingh said Dr Bodoe pointed out that in some tests, pregnant women without symptoms still showed up as positive for zika infection, and Dr Gopeesingh emphasized that he had pregnant patients requesting information and tests, so he would have liked the minister to clarify what medical practitioners should tell those who come to them for advice. Deyalsingh reiterated that CARPHA is the only approved lab for testing.

“Please send the samples to CARPHA. I am trying to work with [them] as we speak to not only treat symptomatic pregnant women but asymptomtic pregnant women. I had that conversation just recently,” he said. In this year’s Budget, CARPHA has been allocated $12,880,000, an increase of $145,150.

Deyalsingh also noted that up to September 2016, 529,897 houses had been inspected and sprayed by the Insect Vector Division, although he admitted that some of those visits may have been more than once.