photo-59.jpgThere appears to be a public health crisis on the island of Antigua in the West Indies. I say “appears” because the responsible parties in Antigua, such as the Ministry of Health and heath providers, such as the local hospital personnel, are not making any clear statements of fact about the cause of hundreds of children pouring into the emergency room for treatment!

The answer given to the parents is “we’ll give um a shot”. Rumors fly around a population of mostly undereducated or uneducated islanders. The most prominent rumor says the children are suffering from the flu. Some have gone so far as to blame the sickness of fresh food coming from the island of Dominca. Not one similar case has been reported in Dominica!

Symptoms of severe vomiting, high fever, diarrhea, tenderness of the abdomen, stomach cramps and fatigue are being reported. This could be consistent with an outbreak of E coli! I am aware of the results of a test of the public water from about 9 months ago. In that test conducted by a private lab in Florida, high concentrations of E coli were found in samples of the public water from Antigua. The Md. who ordered the test was so concerned about the results, he contacted his patient in the late hours of the evening instructing her to cease allowing her children to drink Antiguan public water!

It is not my intention to start a rumor of E coli outbreak. I am not stating the cause of the immediate and severe problem being experienced by the children of Antigua. What I am doing, is to state the facts as I know them. And this seems to be far more than those responsible for the health of the public in Antigua want to do.Although blood and urine tests are called for in these cases, for the prevention of severe blood or kidney failures in a small percentage of children should this be an E coli outbreak, no such tests are being suggested or offered to the public who come to the hospital emergency room. No definitive explanation in fact, is being given to the parents of the affected children!

Is the possible negative impact on the tourist dollar playing a role in public health? Is the truth about E coli in the Antiguan water system being covered up? Is there complete and total incompetence and malfeasance in the care and treatment of public water in Antigua? Is this another case of “hide it and it will go away”, which has plagued the government of this island historically, no matter who is in power? Or finally is this just another case of general incompetence, lack of caring, and unwillingness to rock the boat and take responsibility which plagues the Antiguans in general! I can only hope none of the above is true!

The situation and suffering is severe and very real to the children who are going through it. This situation demands the attention and truthful investigation by the Ministry of Health. It demands the utmost honesty on the part of health providers. It demands thorough testing and full treatment for every child who comes in suffering these symptoms! It demands truthful answers, something every Antiguan might want to consider when it comes to electing their leaders!

There is a history of lies and cover ups by the leaders in Antigua. Unfortunately, until that history is addressed and the people can elect honest and forthright leaders, situations such as this will offer up more questions perhaps than need be. Antigua, it is your children who suffer now. How long will you allow mistrust, lies, cover-ups, and the general mismanagement and disregard for public welfare to be the norm in your country? Your leaders are a reflection of you. Stand up and demand a full and complete investigation and report by your government. If corrective action is called for, demand it!

The truth will set you free!