Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram has claimed that mosquito spraying at the Waterloo Secondary School had been delayed, putting students’ lives at risk, due to a shortage of chemicals.
In a press release yesterday, Ratiram said the school was abruptly closed yesterday, and would also be closed today, to facilitate spraying by the Insect Vector Control Division of the Ministry of Health.
Expressing deep concern and frustration over the delay in spraying, the MP said this had also sparked considerable outrage among parents.
He said, “This decision has been met with significant backlash as parents argue that their children have been endangered by and exposed to a severe mosquito infestation exacerbated by the ongoing dengue outbreak.”
Ratiram said parents had expressed alarm that their children had been exposed to the mosquito infection from Monday to Wednesday.
“The delay in intervention until today, they argue, has put their children’s lives at risk,” he said.
Ratiram also claimed he uncovered “troubling details” that the spraying, initially scheduled for August 21 by the Insect Vector Control Division, was postponed due to a shortage of chemicals.
“I am deeply alarmed by the failures of the Ministry of Health in this critical situation,” stated Ratiram.
“It is unacceptable that essential mosquito control measures were delayed because of insufficient chemicals. This raises serious questions about the preparedness and resource management within the Ministry.” He called Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to “give a clear explanation” on the shortage of chemicals and to disclose whether adequate resources are now available to address the outbreak effectively.
“In the midst of a dengue outbreak, our children’s health should be our top priority,” Ratiram emphasised.
“I urge the Minister of Health to account for these failures and to reassure the public that the necessary resources are now in place.”
He also criticised Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for “failing to take proactive measures,” to ensure the school was sprayed. He said Gadsby-Dolly should have taken immediate action to hire a private contractor to manage the situation.
“It is clear that the PNM government has not only neglected their responsibilities but also failed to protect our children adequately. Do they not care about the well-being of our students?” He urged the Government to stop playing with children’s lives and called on them to come clean about their preparedness and resources available to combat the dengue virus.
Responding to Ratiram’s claims via WhatsApp, Minister Gadsby-Dolly said, “There was no late response.”
Deyalsingh could not be reached for comment.