"Strong show of support" for South West St. Andrew clean-up

Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson has reported a strong show of support for Saturday's start of  a series of clean-up exercises to control the spread of  Chikungunya cases and rid communities of  mosquito breeding sites.

Dr. Ferguson told RJR News that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller led a team of Government officials and other stakeholders on a clean-up initiative in her South West St Andrew constituency.

"It is at the highest level, with the Prime Minister starting today, leading by example," he said, highlighting the support of corporate entities and the direct of involvement of the National Solid Waste Management Authority.

Drain cleaning and bushing are key components of the day's activities, the Health Minister explained.

Dr. Ferguson said the Prime Minister instructed that an area of land adjacent to Spanish Town Road which was being used as a dumping ground be immediately cleaned.               

He announced that he will lead a clean-up initiative in his constituency of Eastern St. Thomas next weekend, and is hoping that the same will be done on the same day in Western St. Thomas, if the Member of Parliament for that constituency (James Robertson) "is available and ready."

A press conference will be held next week as well, he said, to announced details of the promised national clean-up programme.