[Jamaica] ...tuberculosis free - Dr Davidson

from The Jamaica Gleaner

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

DR. WINSTON Davidson, head of the Telemedicine Research and Development Unit at the University of the West Indies, says Jamaica is free of tuberculosis (TB) and other communicable diseases, because it is the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean to have started immunising its children for TB at birth.

TB is a highly contagious chronic disease of the lungs.

HIGH IMMUNISATION RATE

Speaking yesterday during the Life of Jamaica (LoJ), Liguanea Branch Sales Awards ceremony, Dr. Davidson also pointed out that Jamaica is the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean that has an immunisation rate above 90 per cent.

"We have moved away from the communicable diseases because our society is so healthy," he said.

Dr. Davidson said that even with an HIV epidemic, Jamaica still does not have a TB epidemic.

Meanwhile, Dr. Davidson boasted that Jamaica has a high standard of health care.

He noted that the life expectancy of Jamaicans compares favourably with the developed countries. "By any epidemiology index that we use, our population is as healthy as any developed country," he stated.

But, Dr. Davidson said, while fundamental changes have taken place in the society, these changes will be short-lived if "we put our heads in the sand".

Meanwhile, at the awards ceremony, Walter Grant walked away with Agent of the Year/Liguanea Cup award. Arlene Lawrence was the first runner up while Donald Wilkins was the second runner up. Mr. Grant also copped the Aptivity and Productivity trophies.

The award for the most improved agent went to Morais Muir, while the Conservation Trophy went to Donald Wilkins. Christopher Lawe copped the Rookie Trophy.