SXMElections.com

AIRPORT--SXM Princess Juliana International Airport has developed an infectious disease manual and established an infectious disease taskforce as part of its efforts to deal with potential Ebola cases.

The airport outlined its plans to handle potential Ebola cases during a meeting with stakeholders last Tuesday. The airport gave an extensive overview of its plan.

The airport has purchased two isolation units and has established the necessary protocols in case of a potential Ebola case. Stakeholders at the meeting were shown where the isolation units will be placed and given a demonstration of how possible cases would be handled. The location of the isolation units has adequate space for emergency services, a press release on Sunday said.

The facility's infectious disease plan was referred to as "a living document," which will be updated whenever deemed necessary in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs VSA for "cooperation and validity."

The facility's infectious disease taskforce was also established to work closely with the Health Ministry for continued collaboration. The taskforce includes representatives from civil aviation and SXM Airport. The main objectives are to work together to educate and continuously update the airport community; to ensure members are prepared to deal with suspected cases of infectious diseases; to ensure Ebola is stopped at the airport border or earlier; to ensure a system is in place to respond to any suspected cases and to train the airport community on how to identify and respond to any possible cases.

Head of Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Dr. Virginia Asin commended SXM Airport Director of Operations Larry Donker and his team for their proactive approach and cooperation. She said she looks forward to continue the collaboration to safeguard the health and wellbeing of St. Maarten.

The release said meetings amongst stakeholders will continue to finalise the new preparedness plan. "Through the Department of Communication the people of St. Maarten people will receive an extensive overview in a visual format that will highlight all aspects of the Ebola Preparedness Plan thus far," the release added.

"The Ebola situation is one that we are all taking very seriously. Although the possibility of the Ebola virus disease reaching St. Maarten is very low, given the recent and past global health emergencies such as HINI, swine flu, bird flu, etc., the Ministry of Public Health along with key stakeholders are taking the opportunity to review the preparedness plans which are already in place and revitalise the system," Minister of Public Health Cornelius de Weever was quoted as saying.

"It has created a window of opportunity for all stakeholders to sit down and discuss what St. Maarten needs in this modern day to be prepared for any future public heath emergencies on infectious diseases."

The national preparations for Ebola and for other infectious diseases is not just part of the requirements of International Health Regulations (IHR), but also allows the various entities throughout the country to comply with IHR requirements, which St. Maarten has an obligation to meet as part of the collective responsibility towards the global health system, the release said.

Together with the Immigration and Border Protection Department, Customs, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Department of Communication, Tourist Bureau, Civil Aviation and Maritime Affairs, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Port St. Maarten and SXM Airport, St. Maarten is preparing itself from all angles to deal with any potential Ebola threat and any future infection disease emergencies, the release noted.