Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
With dengue cases surging, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has issued a stern warning to citizens: seek immediate medical care at hospitals instead of relying solely on bush medicine like pawpaw leaves.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Deyalsingh clarified that while he was not discouraging using paw leaves, they should not be the only remedy.
He emphasised that delaying proper treatment could lead to severe complications, including deadly dengue shock.
Addressing the influx of patients at the nation’s hospitals, Deyalsingh said the ministry had set up fast-track lines and a hotline at Couva Hospital to assist those with dengue symptoms.
“The RHAs are setting up fast-track lines to deal with dengue. I met with all the RHAs yesterday, and one of the initiatives is at Couva, which will serve the East-West corridor and San Fernando. Eastern RHA is deploying a similar strategy,” he revealed.
He reported that dengue statistics remain unchanged, with 712 confirmed laboratory cases and eight deaths. Urging people to keep their surroundings clean, Deyalsingh mentioned receiving reports that some individuals are reluctant to get rid of plants that collect water, becoming breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
“The message for cleaner surroundings is being delivered both electronically and on the ground. Teams from the Insect Vector Control Department have visited more than 150,000 households since July. Human life is more important than plant life. Inspect your surroundings and get rid of clear, stagnant water,” Deyalsingh added.
He admitted that people are not coming to hospitals early enough. “People who suspect they have dengue are turning to bush medicine and alternative treatments, but they are getting seriously ill. While bush medicine and paw leaves have a place in treatment, I urge people not to rely on them alone. You can deteriorate really quickly. We are not saying don’t use bush medicine—it has a place—but we want to treat you in our system as well,” Deyalsingh emphasised.
Meanwhile, the president of the Medical Council of T&T Dr Neil Singh called on the Government to hire more inspectors at the various local government corporations. Singh suggested tents, similar to those used during COVID, should be set up to treat dengue patients as soon as possible.
He noted that many sick individuals have to wait eight to 12 hours to receive treatment at hospitals.
“They are in the corridors and on the floor. People need to be educated on what symptoms to look for,” Singh added.
“We are in an epidemic, and the MOH is noting that every seven years there is a surge in cases. This epidemiological cycle is upon us.”