The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez was yesterday unable to offer reporters insight into toxicologist Dr Rik van de Weerdt’s role in the government’s probe of the 2012 Rubis gasoline leak.

Last Thursday, the Ministry of Health released a statement welcoming the Dutchman to the country with Dr Gomez saying the presence of Dr van de Weerdt showed the government was “living up to its promises” and hoped that the country would be “much better off” as a result of the consultations.

However, when asked about Dr van de Weerdt’s work yesterday, Dr Gomez said he had not been briefed.

“He came in Wednesday or so. So I haven’t had a briefing since,” Dr Gomez said.

“I really don’t know the details. He was going to review data and that sort of stuff but I haven’t gotten a report yet, when I get it I will let you know. I should have something (before) the week is out.”

He spoke to reporters following a service celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre’s Geriatric Services. During the ceremony, Dr Gomez urged staff at the centre to continue to prioritise the care of the elderly housed at the facility. Organisers of the celebrations have dedicated the entire month of June to hosting several events that will cater to the patients of Geriatric Services.

Meanwhile Dr Glen Beneby, chief medical officer, has said the government requested that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) help prepare a future plan on the Rubis spill.

Dr van de Weerdt, according to Dr Beneby, has started his work and pointed out that the ministry will share information from the incident with him to be used as a reference point in his consultative work.

Following a wave of backlash criticising the government for mishandling the gas leak, an epidemiologist with extensive experience in working with the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has also been scheduled to join the team of health consultants looking into the matter.

Residents have voiced concerns over the health implications that could be brought on from the spill’s infiltration of the groundwater system. Marathon residents are only now being screened for potential health effects after a report on the spill was kept from the public for over a year.