The Westmoreland Health Department has beefed up its public education campaign to sensitise the public about the dangers of leptospirosis.
Health Promotion and Education Officer, Gerald Miller, told JIS News that while there is no outbreak of the disease in the parish, the department has to be proactive in light of the recent heavy rains.
As such, he is cautioning persons against wading in flood waters that might have been contaminated with animal urine.
“We have been having some heavy downpours and I have seen persons wading in waters in Savanna-la-Mar and its environs. We just want to remind persons that by wading in contaminated water, the germs [from animal urine] can penetrate your skin,” he noted.
He said that parents should also ensure that children do not play in puddles when it rains.
Mr. Miller said that sugar cane workers and persons who live near sugar cane fields should take particular care.
“They are at a greater risk… Rats tend to traverse cane fields and persons might come into contact with contaminated cane. As a result, they might end up getting the germs in their system,” he noted.
“We have been told by residents that in the cane harvesting time, the rats tend to migrate from the cane fields and move towards their drainage,” he added.
He said that individuals who work with or handle animals are also at risk.
WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAMME
Mr. Miller told JIS News that the health department has been utilising its weekly health programme, aired every Wednesday on a local radio station, to impart information about the dangers of leptospirosis.
“To build awareness, from time to time, we interview the Veterinary Public Health Inspector to share her perspective on leptospirosis and to give persons some tips as to what they ought to do.
“Additionally, we also use our food handlers’ clinic, as well as our regular clinics in our [health] facilities, to talk about [leptospirosis] and, from time to time, we go to our hospital in the outpatient area and engage persons,” he informed.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the leptospira bacteria that could lead to possible fatal infection of the kidney, liver, brain, lung or heart.
While it cannot be spread from human to human, it can be contracted through exposure to the urine or body fluids of infected animals.
Take precaution against leptospirosis
ISSA Da’Costa Cup Final charge
The battle to decide bragging rights in zone ‘A’ of the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy football competition, is among the highlight games on this Saturday’s, October12, in the final series of return-round games ahead of the kick off of the Inter Zone showdown.
A full slate of matches are with some 14 other schools looking to gain qualification and others jostling for positioning in their respective zones.
12-times champions Cornwall College and Anchovy, both already through fro Zone ‘A’ will be engaged in a heavyweight showdown at Cornwall for top position in the zone.
Beaten in the final last season, Cornwall won the first round game against Anchovy, and having dropped points so far only against Green Pond, they will be aiming to complete the double over their historic achieving opponents, who are in the Inter Zone round for the first time ever.
Both have 20 points ahead of kick off with Cornwall College ahead of goal difference with 15, five clear of Anchovy and the winner will secure top spot, while a draw will also be good enough for the Sr. Dean Weatherly conditioned red and gold clad unit.
Meantime Green Pond High already with 16 points on the board can move through the round of 32 for the first time since the 2013 campaign, as one of the best-third placed finishers, should they take three points at home to Irwin who has won just once this season, despite their showcasing some of their best displays.
Also in the Zone, former champions St. James High, in with an outside shot, face winless cellar occupants Maldon hoping to end on a high.
In Zone ‘B’ action the 11 times winners Rusea’s look to consolidate second place when they complete their fixture against lowly Hopewell while Merlene Ottey and Green Island lock horns in the other contest. Frome Technical, beaten at the semi-final stage last year has already wrapped up top spot in the zone and has completed their fixture.
BIG PUSH
A tight race is on in Zone ‘C’ with at least three teams still in with a chance of joining William Knibb from the zone as qualifiers.
Ex-two times champions Herbert Morrison Technical High, Cedric Titus and Spot Valley down In 4th , are the teams vying for the remaining spot.
Cedric Titus travels to lowly Holland seeking three precious points, but the mega clash of the zone pits leaders William Knibb at home to 4th positioned Spot Valley , both knowing a win is vital.
William Knibb with a significant goal difference can be confident going into the contest.
A close watch is also on in Zone ‘D’ where Petersfield and Belmont Academy are in a tug-a-war for the runner-up spot, hoping to join run away early qualifiers Manning’s.
Petersfield, in second spot, has the easiest of the fights as they are down to challenge second from bottom Maud McLeod, who has recorded just two wins from their previous 8 games.
Belmont Academy who has had their best showing since their first outing, hosts Grange Hill, knowing nothing but a victory will be good enough for a fighting chance.
Thirty (30) other matches are on with teams still hunting crucial points in qualification bid.
INTER ZONE ROUND QUALIFIERS
Cornwall College, Anchovy High, Frome Technical, Rusea’s High, Manning’s School, STETHS, Manchester High, B B Coke, Clarendon College, Lennon High, Annotto Bay High, McGrath High, Charlemont High, Port Antonio High, Happy Grove, Garvey Maceo High, Denbigh High and Seaforth High are the early qualifiers.
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
Sports Journalist
CLA among the world’s top-two regulators
Canadian businessman and former Chief Executive Officer of Canopy Growth Corporation, Bruce Linton, says the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has instituted one of the best cannabis regulatory systems in the world.
“They have created a platform that works very quickly. When I look at the chain of custody for where the products come through and the social presentation of it where it is actually accessible, but still very challenging to the illicit market, I think that makes the regulatory system in Jamaica among the top two in the world,” he explained.
He was speaking at the recent CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo held in Montego Bay, St. James.
Mr. Linton noted that the Jamaican cannabis system is similar to that of Canada’s.
“When I walk around and see how the facilities are here, it’s like a half twist on the Canadian system, but they made it more effective. When you get to the point of sale, it is 10 times better and the branding is better, so if you want to win against the illicit market, you will have to have branding and have control; so, I have been quite impressed,” he stated.
The CLA, an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, was established in 2015 under the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, (DDA) with a specific role to establish and regulate Jamaica’s legal ganja and hemp industry.
Through its Licensing and Applications Division and Enforcement and Monitoring Division, the CLA ensures that applications are appropriately reviewed, licences are issued to suitable applicants and that licensees are held accountable to the terms and conditions of their licence.
So far, the Authority has issued a total of 44 licences and an additional 11 are pending issuance.
Work is currently being done on the import/export regulations for the industry. When this is promulgated, Jamaica will be one of 10 countries in the world with an export regime.
Jamaica and South Africa sign air service agreement
Direct flights to Africa
Jamaicans will soon be able to travel directly to South Africa following the recent signing of an air service agreement with the country.
Minister of Transport and Mining, Robert Montague, said that the arrangement comes after many years of trying to secure the deal, with “several stops and starts”.
“Many persons have spoken about it and we have finally done it,” the Transport Minister said while addressing a ceremony for the presentation of an Aerodrome Operator Certificate to the Norman Manley International Airport at the Ministry’s office in Kingston on Tuesday (October 8).
“We are very pleased that we now have this air service agreement in place that will facilitate direct flights with [South Africa] possibly into Norman Manley airport,” he noted.
“In order to get to South Africa, you no longer need to go to Panama, Brazil, New York or London; the possibility exists that you can go from Kingston straight into Johannesburg,” he pointed out.
Minister Montague said that the new arrangement will open up opportunities for trade, tourism, study and travel.
In the meantime, he said that the Government is in the process of trying to secure similar air service agreements with other African nations.
“We are discussing with Ghana and I believe Nigeria; we are far down the wicket with them,” he said.
Noting that Nigeria is a manufacturer of motor vehicles, including cars, sport utility vehicles and trucks, Mr. Montague said “how nice and wonderful it would be to have some of those on our Jamaican roads to underline the whole South-to-South cooperation and to underline that umbilical link to the motherland”.
$30M TO FIGHT MOSQUITOES
A mosquito plague and the threat of Dengue Fever seem to be driving fear in the minds of many even, as $30 million have been made available for the St James Health Department and National Solid Waste Management Authority for a bulk waste removal programme.
Yesterday’s regular monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation had some tense moments during discussion on the dengue problem and efforts to contain it.
Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector, Delisa Scarlett, said regarding mosquito control, over the past month, there has been a notable increase of 3 percent in the Aedes aegypti index for the parish, adding, “despite all our efforts from the Health Department, we are still noticing that there is a persistence in mosquito breeding, so we have identified the need for source reduction.”
She said the $30 million bulk waste reduction programme commenced in Norwood last Tuesday in partnership with the NSWMA. Also, although the task work vector control programme came to a close on September 30, due to the exigencies of the service, 55 were re-engaged and subsequently, an additional 39 engaged and trained.
Recently also, the St JMC gave the Health Department three new fogging machines, making it possible for fogging to be done both morning and evening, but this was met with a chorus from councillors asking “Where? Where?” and were told, “It is ongoing.”
Additionally, the department has taken in the services of two private pest control officers and now have ULV (ultra-low volume) fogging machine and within two weeks, will be getting three new pick-ups. The NSWMA will be getting an updated list of high-risk communities to tackle.
FOGGING INEFFECTIVE
Fresh from his vacation, Chief Executive Officer Gerald Lee questioned whether fogging was the best practice as other methods of mosquito control were now being employed in other countries. He admitted that, “The reason I’m asking is that to be honest, I’ve been experiencing the process where fogging is done and half an hour after the fogging is done, mosquitoes are still biting me.”
Ms Scarlett pointed out that fogging was only effective against adult female mosquitoes and what was most important was for citizens to pay attention to public education programmes and play their part responsibly in ensuring they destroy all breeding sites for the mosquitoes which love clean water.
There was much cross talk among some councillors on both sides of the political aisle over the question of coordination of efforts and their involvement that at times threatened to blow up with some stinging words punctuating the dialogue.
Reacting to chastisement from Senator Charles Sinclair, Councillor Sylvan Reid lashed out, “pertaining to the fogging, we need a better coordination, what is wrong with that?” He suggested Sinclair was dealing with politics and urged him to “stop it!” noting that word from an unnamed doctor is that 85 percent of patients seen “have dengue, and dat a we issue.”
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Francine Phillips Kelly, said she could neither deny nor confirm the figure quoted but noted, “With respect to Dengue Fever cases, we do have an increased number of suspected cases.”
She reported, however, that all 22 health centres in St James were up and running with extended opening hours at the comprehensive clinic on Creek Street, downtown Montego Bay.
Clinton Pickering
Freelance Writer
Muschett host Knibb
- St. James High hold off Green Pond
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
Play in the Inter Secondary Schools Association (ISSA) Rural Area Under-16 and 19 Netball Competition continues tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8, with Zone ‘B’ set to come alive with the big Trewlany derby set to unfold at the home of Muschett High.
The bitter parish rivals will be in search of their first win of the season when they take the court for the blast of the opening whistle.
The slow-starting Muschett will be gunning for a first win in three starts, and will be gunning to halt a string of two successive defeats while their rivals, William Knibb, are down to open their account in what will be their first time on court this campaign.
The last round of games before the start of the weekend provided loads of excitement for those on hand to witness the showdown involving St. James High, and the new western powerhouse Green Pond High in a junior showdown.
The battle, which saw both teams walking away sharing the spoils in an enthralling 14-14 tie, took place at the Montego Bay Cricket Club on Thursday afternoon.
In an absorbing match-up officiated by veteran and well-rated officials, Gina Haughton and Omroy Kerr, both Green Pond, who started fast, and their hosts shared eight goals down the middle as the opening 10 minutes ended 4-4.
St. James, with a sterling defensive display and the Green Pond shooters tottering somewhat, surged to a slight lead going into the halftime break, surging for five goals to four by their opponents as they went into the break with a narrow one-goal advantage, holding a 10-9 lead.
At the resumption, both teams struggled in the shooting third and failed to maintain possession of the ball, with both kept of the score sheet for the opening five minutes, despite getting good looks at the net.
Clad in their familiar green and yellow outfit, Green Pond High, who were far from their usual slickpassing self, had a spell of ball possession under the net but failed to convert on any of the nine attempts at goal, most coming directly from underneath and very close range.
The Jacinth Carey-coached Green Pond regained their composure towards the close of the penultimate quarter, rallying to sink five goals to St. James’ three to take a slender 13-12 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter.
With the game on an edge and both teams faltering, struggling to maintain their form and possession, St. James High utilized two of their five looks at the net to force their visitors on the back foot and snatch the draw.
St. James High, who saw their inspirational goal defense suffer a knee injury and was forced off the court bleeding, tottered at the back in the closing stages but managed to drop in two goals to Green Pond High’s one as they claimed a first point from their opponents.
Green Pond had the chance to steal the win, but they were stopped by sterling defensive display by the St. James High team and poor finishing from their shooters who, at times, appeared indecisive.
Green Pond High’s coach, Carey, was left incensed at the blast of the final whistle, saying some non-calls late on affected her team and cost them the game.
Green Pond will be back in action on October 9 when they host Irwin while St. James High take on Cambridge on Friday, October 11.
In other games, former western powerhouse, Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS), rushed past Muschett 20-6 in an unimpressive display and Cambridge after a heavy defeat, returned in emphatic fashion, bombarding hapless Hopewell 45-1, the latter scoring their first goal of the competition.
‘Ben Dung’ still active but fewer sales
Several decades ago, ‘Ben Dung’, located in the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, was the place many people would go to get some of the latest name brand and fashionable clothing at reasonable prices.
Several stalls decked with colourful clothing for men, women and children offered top quality clothing for as little as fifty Jamaican dollars.
Persons could carry at least two thousand dollars to shop and leave with a large quantity of clothing and shoes. But now, things have changed, as that is no longer possible as two thousand dollars can barely purchase a lone item.
‘Ben Dung’ vendors mostly operated from Thursday to Saturday of each week to meet the shoppers’ need.
Many of the vendors are now complaining that business is not the same as before, due to the many cheap Chinese-made clothing that is now being sold on the streets.
Sharon Carty, who has been operating from the market for over 18 years, shared:
“First time business was nice, but now, people can hardly come here again to shop; but every week the Parish Council people come to collect rent, but there is no business here; the place needs to be upgraded and some more promotions put in place to make people know we are still here.
We sell clothing for as little as 50 dollars and things are still slow.”
When asked if people thought the clothes are mainly ‘dead lef’ clothing’, she was quick to rubbish those claims, as she said she has places in the USA where she goes to purchase her clothing.
GRATEFUL
Another vendor, Paulette Lewis, said: “Business is up and down so far,” but if she makes a thousand dollars, she is OK. “I give thanks for what I make here on a daily basis, I don’t give people money to put down, so, I have to be grateful for whoever comes to shop. I am here 21 years and still surviving. I know these times are slow, so I wait until its November, December time, when things pick up.”
She then showed us some of the name brand shoes she has for sale on her stall.
Another vendor, who wished not to be named, said, “The sidewalk needs to be clear so that the people can come into the market and shop. People are stopping on the street so we are lost. It’s the tradition people who know about Ben Dung who keep coming here to shop. Not because we are cheap, we also sell name brand clothing and shoes,” she said.
‘HELP ME, PLEASE’
- Accident victim
Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter
“I am in constant pain. It is difficult to move around and whenever I see like it’s going to rain, I start to be afraid; I fret because the metal in my left foot attracts lightning. I try to cover it but sometimes it still affect me. So, when the lightning shock mi; mi wet myself; mi cry all the time.”
This is the reality of 37-year-old Springfield, St. James resident, Miguel McKenzie, who is popularly known as ‘Nose’, a former bus conductor, who has, for the past two years, been battling intense pain; and struggles to be mobile. This is as a result of a motor vehicle accident which left him with a broken right hip and left leg, forcing him to be ambling around in a wheelchair. He is unable to work and has resorted to begging to get money to take care of himself – something he does not like doing.
McKenzie, who was in pain when he spoke, recounts the frightening ordeal that almost cost him his life and left him with limited movement.
HORROR RELIVED
“I was working on a Kingston coaster bus that ply the Montego Bay to Kingston route; so on May 31, 2017, it was raining and when the bus reached the Burwood Beach area (near Falmouth, Trelawny), the driver lost control of the vehicle – and it seem like him go too near the banking and pick up a skid and the bus overturn and fell into a gully, roll and drop.
“My left leg drop between the door and brake. A feel some pain and the passenger dem panic because smoke was coming from the engine and they trample me and broke my right hip bone.”
McKenzie recalls that despite the fact he was being wracked by excruciating pain, he still had the presence of mind to move his upper body out of the way; a move which saved his life.
“Di passenger dem a stamp all over mi so mi push me head under one a di seat dem fi protect miself. If I did not do that, I would be a dead man, because they would crush mi head,” he said.
He was taken to the Falmouth General Hospital where he had to wait for two months before surgeries were carried out on the hip and left leg.
They did surgery on the hip and sent him home. Eventually, surgery was done on the left leg, where a metallic plate was implanted. But McKenzie said the implant was not strong enough and it broke, (as was revealed by an X-Ray).
LIGHTNING STRIKE
“It is seriously affecting me right now and when time cold, mi feel severe pain. Whenever it rain, I get a big, thick blanket, long socks and long pants fi protect the foot from lightning and pray. Is three lightning shock me in September. The last time was September 29 and mi wet myself. I was so embarrassed.”
He now needs an operation to have that implant removed and replaced but according to McKenzie, he has been told at the Cornwall Regional Hospital that the operation cannot be done there now and he needs to try a private medical facility.
So, he visited the Montego Bay Hospital at Mt. Salem adjacent to the CRH, where Dr. Suman Vemu told him that he has left femur non-union with failed fixation and needs to undergo a medical procedure which includes implant removal, orif with lock nail and bone grafting.
The hospital fee and cost for the procedure is put at $1.35 million and he does not have the money to pay for the procedure. So, he is asking for any help he can get.
“I really need to have this operation done so that I can get back on my feet and work again. Mi love to work, but now a beg mi a beg and people a embarrass me. It pain mi heart fi 2 year and three month mi caan work and so I depend on the mercy of others and the members of the Springfield Welcome Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church. Please, I need your help,” he pleads.
Friends have to help him move around so he desperately needs assistance.
McKenzie said the Operator of the bus, who he worked with for just over a month, has totally neglected him. He neither sees nor has he heard from him.
Battle for Inter Zone heats up
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
With the jostling for points now on in earnest, Manning’s can become the latest western qualifier to the Inter Zone round of the ISSA/WATA Schoolboy Football Competition with three points away to Maud McLeod in Zone ‘D’ action.
Manning’s, already with five victories under their belt, will be aiming for a repeat of their first round win and complete the double over their second-from-bottom opponents, Maud McLeod, as they take aim at a place in the round of 32.
Defending champions Clarendon College are the other early qualifiers.
The Westmoreland-based Manning’s, have 16 points going into the fixture against the much-improved Maud McLeod, and will also be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.
Elsewhere in the Zone, last year’s beaten semi-finalists, Petersfield, also among the top performers, will aim to move closer to qualification when they tangle with Grange Hill, positioned fourth and with just two wins to their credit.
In another game, out-of-contention 2005 champions, Godfrey Stewart, face a tricky 90 minutes against a Belmont Academy team which has already claimed a historic two wins.
Meanwhile, last year’s beaten finalists and 12 times champions, Cornwall College, will be aiming for a return to winning ways when they line up at home Irwin in one of three games on in the very competitive Zone ‘A’.
Cornwall were on the receiving end of a shock 1-0 beating last time out and with just a goal separating them from second place Anchovy and a mere point between them and third place St. James, a victory is vital.
Irwin showcased a resilient display against the red and gold-clad Cornwall in the teams’ opening game of the competition, but with the fancied CC severely wounded, they could prove deadly, but must be lethal in-front of goal.
Irwin, however, are on a high as they recorded a first win last time out and with the hopes of only a second ever win over CC at the forefront of their minds, a very competitive encounter is likely to unfold at the Pleasant Hill-based Cornwall school.
Also on the day, Anchovy, who missed the chance to go top, face a high riding St. James High at Jarrett Park.
Anchovy clipped the ex-champions 1-0 in their first meeting, but with St. James High on a charge, dropping just two points from their last three outings, bagging seven from a possible 9, a feisty affair is expected between the two as both will be trumping for the vital win.
The 2012 Inter Zone qualifiers Green Pond High, still in with a mathematical chance of making progress, will also be on the hunt for vital points in an away fixture against the winless cellar dwellers, Maldon at that school.
Green Pond hammered the said opponents 5-1in the first meeting and will be aiming for a repeat of that performance if they are to maintain their slim, but fast fading hopes of progress.
27 other matches are also listed to be competed on the day.
Montego Bay Pride joined by JFJ in case against Davis/SJMC
Montego Bay Pride is being helped by Jamaicans for Justice to bring a claim for judicial review of the decision by Montego Bay Mayor, Homer Davis and the St. James Municipal Corporation, to ban Montego Bay Pride from using the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.
On Tuesday, September 24 Montego Bay Pride filed a case against Mayor Homer Davis and the St. James Municipal Corporation for banning the group from using the Montego Bay Cultural Centre to host some of its events in October. The case was brought by Montego Bay Pride’s Founder and Development Coordinator, Maurice Tomlinson, on behalf of the unincorporated group. Tomlinson is being represented by lawyers from Jamaicans for Justice.
The Mayor’s decision was reported in the newspapers where the mayor alleged that banning Montego Bay Pride from the Cultural Centre was necessary to preserve the “sacredness” of the space.
In his application for judicial review, Tomlinson states that by rescinding the permission given to Montego Bay Pride by the Cultural Centre, the decision of the mayor and the Municipal Corporation was “discriminatory, unconstitutional and ultra vires.”
Tomlinson said that: “The decision by the mayor and the Municipal Corporation to ban us has been devastating and with far reaching implications. “Citing this decision, other venues that were to host our events cancelled and the police said that so much anti-gay sentiment has been whipped up in the city that it would be impossible to safely hold our Walk for Rights. I was even mobbed and attacked by vendors who support the mayor while I was outside the Cultural Centre. The mayor and the Municipal Corporation have effectively denied vulnerable LGBT Montegonians any safe place in this city, even though we are taxpaying members of the public and many of us are central to the country’s vital tourism industry. The decision has to be reversed.”
Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice, Rodje Malcolm, said that: “Attorneys from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) have agreed to represent Mr. Tomlinson, on behalf of the members of Montego Bay Pride, in his application for Judicial Review. Information JFJ has received suggests that the decision to revoke access to a public meeting space was potentially unlawful and based principally on the personal views of one individual. However, in a free and democratic society, the personal views of public officials – regardless of the issue or group – are not what determines if people can access public spaces for peaceful and lawful discourse.”