PAHO comes to Ja's aid with Cornwall Regional noxious fumes

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is to send a mission team to Jamaica, which has sought its help with the noxious fumes affecting the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has said the problem, which resurfaced last week Monday, causing protests and displacement, has been linked to a 20-year-old ventilation system that was recommissioned but put back into operation without being sufficiently sanitised. Persons reported an awful stench and burning sensation on their skin.
Responding to a letter it received from the health ministry on Friday seeking assistance, PAHO’s representative to Jamaica, Dr Noreen Jack, said specialised tents to accommodate certain medical cases are being shipped to Jamaica. Dr Jonas Gonseth, adviser, quality health systems and services will also be made available to help Jamaica deal with the problems at the hospital.
Gonseth, who has extensive experience in hospital management and quality, will guide the “effective organisation, rationalisation and delivery of displaced health services,” Jack said.
The PAHO representative added, “We are exploring the possibility for a specialist in this area (infection prevention and control) to be a part of the mission team, along with other specialists that will support the investigation to determine the source of the contaminants.”