The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE ongoing crisis in Venezuela poses serious health threats for the region, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, who yesterday raised concerns about the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The collapse of the South American country’s public health system - amid a wider humanitarian crisis due to severe political and economic challenges - has reportedly led over the last two years to high incidences of infectious diseases preventable by vaccines like measles, malaria and diphtheria.

“I think we have to be concerned not only with what is happening in the US but more importantly what is happening in Venezuela,” Dr Sands told reporters.

“Given the collapse of Venezuela, there has been a huge problem with its public health capacity and so we now see serious threats to the region.

“So the government recognises that we have to go back and look at strategies to increase our immunisation coverage not just for measles but for a number of other vaccine preventable illnesses given the collapse of the public health system in a huge country in South America.”

Dr Sands highlighted regional health concerns in an interview with media outside the Churchill Building.

He was responding to a question about a US measles outbreak in Oregon and Washington, in which some 35 people have been diagnosed this month.

Echoing American public health officials on the outbreak, Dr Sands underscored the impact of unvaccinated children on the resurgence of the disease.

“Measles is certainly now back with us,” Dr Sands continued, “we are also seeing other vaccine preventable illnesses that are making a resurgence. So when you see persons who believe for one reason or the next that vaccination is neither fashionable or safe based on a lot of disinformation that is circulating on the internet, bear in mind that this could pose a clear and present danger to the health of our children.”

The government last week announced it did not recognise the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s presidency in Venezuela and had sided with Organisation of American States (OAS) countries recognising Juan Guaidó, president of the National Assembly, as interim president.

Pointing to critical economic and social challenges, the government’s statement noted deep concerns for the welfare of the people of Venezuela, as well as the migration challenges faced by its neighbouring countries. Some three million Venezuelans have reportedly left their country to seek refuge in neighbouring countries in Latin American and the Caribbean.

In June last year, the OAS General Assembly declared Venezuela’s May 20 election lacked legitimacy and failed to comply with international standards.

A January 10 resolution highlighted the alleged illegitimate electoral process, and deep concerns about the “worsening political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela resulting from the breakdown of democratic order and serious human rights violations in that state.”

Progressive Liberal Party Chairman and Senator Fred Mitchell has been critical of the Bahamas’ stance, noting the country typically abstained from this type of resolution as it is generally viewed as interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.