The Ministry of Local Government yesterday handed over a fogging machine valued $399,000 to the Vector Control Services of the Ministry of Health to aid in its fogging activities.
The machine which was bought from Farfan and Mendes, would be used to enhance vector control activities in Region 3. It was officially handed over to the Vector Control Services, which would be working along with Region Three Regional Democratic Council, by Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker.
Local Government Permanent Secretary Collin Croal said that as part of the regional clean-up programme, the ministry had procured a number of fogging machines since there was a shortage. He said they had noticed the short supply since the Health Ministry commenced their fogging exercises.
The Ministry of Health through its Vector Control Services has been fogging Georgetown and Region Six to kill the adult aedes aegypti mosquito which carries the chikungunya virus.
Director of the Services, Dr. Reyaud Rahman said they are expected to start fogging in Region 3 soon and the addition of the new machine would further help to enhance their works. He said they will be offering the region training before they begin fogging.
He said the Vector Control Services has an ongoing operation in Region 6 while they continue to tackle mosquitoes in Georgetown. “These are some of the small things we are doing in the background,” he said, noting that he was thankful for the contribution.
Whittaker said his ministry was happy to be a part of the fogging exercise and they were looking forward to working with the Vector Control Services in the future. He also indicated his ministry’s intention to acquire more fogging machines for other regions.
