The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

EBOLA surveillance protocols have been increased ahead of the anticipated influx of international mourners travelling to pay their final respects to religious icon Dr Myles Munroe.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Glen Beneby confirmed that the Ministry of Health has placed hospitals and health workers on alert in anticipation of the crowds drawn to last night’s memorial service and today’s funeral for Dr Munroe and his wife, Ruth.

The heightened surveillance plan includes emergency teams, including transportation teams and auxiliary health workers on call, he said.

Dr Beneby said public health officials have partnered with Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BMFI) to extend procedures and protocols already established as a result of the global international alert set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He encouraged public participation, but cautioned people to be calm and orderly during homegoing services.

“With respect to Ebola, we have in place all of the procedures and protocols in keeping with the WHO world standards that have been agreed at this time,” he told The Tribune. “In addition, because of the nature of the international community expected at this gathering, we have added heightened awareness to what we are doing.

“We have partnered with BFM, and we have in place a team at all levels that is prepared and ready to respond.”

Yesterday, Dr Beneby explained that the Ministry of Health’s surveillance plan is not limited to Ebola, adding that a comprehensive public health programme has been implemented to effectively manage all “public health situations”.

“Because of the mass gathering, we have gone beyond Ebola. We have in place an emergency team, an emergency transportation team, the hospitals are on alert and we have special members of the team who are standing by in case they are called upon.”

Dr Beneby added: “We expect the public to be helpful, orderly and not to create any undue anxiety and excitement for this already difficult situation for a nation that is grieving at this time.”

Dr Munroe died along with eight others, including his wife, in a plane crash in Grand Bahama last month.

Newly appointed BFMI Senior Pastor and Board of Governors Chairman Dave Burrows said the ministry has been flooded with well wishes from celebrities, presidents and heads of states from around the world in the wake of Dr Munroe’s shocking death. Mr Burrows said thanksgiving services were confirmed to be held in several countries, including Africa, Canada, Europe, Papua New Guinea, Barbados, several Latin American countries and at various churches throughout the United States of America.

Meanwhile CARICOM ministers met in Trinidad and Tobago last month to discuss the potential threat of the Ebola virus.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell led the delegation, and was accompanied by Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez, Dr Beneby and Bahamas Ebola Taskforce Administrator Peter Deveaux Isaacs.

Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia previously announced immediate travel bans on anyone who would have come from or through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, where nearly 4,500 people have died from the virus. However, the Bahamas opted not to follow suit.

Ebola is a deadly virus that is acquired by direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected human or animal. Since March, the disease has spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Senegal in West Africa. However, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation after a 42-day period with no new cases.

The disease has also been documented in the United States and Spain.

The WHO has recommended that people avoid unnecessary travel to Ebola-affected countries. Persons who do travel to affected areas should ensure that necessary precautions are taken to avoid exposure.

Returning travellers who experience any Ebola-like symptoms within 21 days of arriving home should consult their healthcare provider immediately or contact the Surveillance Unit at 502-4776/502-4790/397-1021.

Dr Munroe and his wife’s state-recognised funeral will be held at Bahamas Faith Ministries International’s Diplomat Centre on Carmichael Road at 10am today.

A national memorial for the couple was held at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium last night. Both events were open to the public and no admission or invitations were needed to attend.