Caribbean must prepare for bio-terrorism

THE NEW Chairman of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) Council, Dr Bhoe Tewarie,  said the region must brace for bio-terrorism, because terrorism can happen at “any time and any place”.

He said war is a reality and cited events taking place in Iraq. Tewarie said the threat posed by the use of biological/chemical weapons is a possibility. Speaking at the opening ceremony for the 29th council meeting at CAREC headquarters, Federation Park, Tewarie said countries have been battling HIV/AIDS, drugs and drug addiction. He said countries must also prepare against bio-terrorism. Globalisation offered opportunities but the region has also become more vulnerable. Tewarie said this is why the work of CAREC must be appreciated with expertise and capability to support monitoring and information gathering required for advice, intervention and action.

Tewarie stressed the importance of continued support from regional governments and entrepreneurial initiatives for CAREC to have long term support. He said he would like to see the organisation working more closely with research scholars from UWI. CAREC and UWI have pursued international funding for joint projects and Tewrie expressed the hope for further collaboration in areas such as Public Health and Virology. Alluding to plans to construct a new headquarters, he said CAREC must have the environment for its scientists and administrators to work in the 21st Century.

Director of CAREC, Dr James Hospedales described behaviour change as the “final pathway” to preventing many avoidable diseases and injury. “Most of the underlying preventable health problems and cost are associated with behaviour.” Hospedales called for governments and Ministers of Health to recognise the value of Public Health and Public Health officials. “There is insufficient vision and lack of priority accorded to investment in public health, particularly public health capacity— personnel, at national and regional levels”. He called for these areas to receive the attention of governments in their national and regional health sector planning and reform.

Hospedales said 2002 was a “good year” for CAREC as there was good financial quota support from member countries and for its public health campaigns. Hospedales spoke of the ongoing challenges of HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse, and rise in chronic non-communicable diseases in the elderly population. He also mentioned the threat caused by West Nile virus, and record levels of dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. He announced that the building plan for CAREC’s new facility will cost US$29 million.