The
Portmore Pines Branch of Jamaica National Building Society
(JNBS) has joined forces with the St.
Catherine Health Department to reduce the transmission of mosquito borne
diseases in the municipality of Portmore.
The
Portmore Mosquito Control Programme,
operated by the Health Department, recently received funding from the JN Member Advisory Council (MAC) of the
JNBS Portmore Pines Branch, to purchase protective gear and equipment for their
12 member vector control team.
A
fogging machine, overalls, protective glasses, masks, boots, reflector vests
and gloves were handed over to the St. Catherine Health Department at the JN
Portmore Pines Branch on October 5, 2012.
“In
excess of $300,000 has been allocated to the programme to reduce the nuisance
and discomfort experienced by residents,” says Troy Bygrave, Manager of JNBS’
Portmore Pines Branch.
He
added that “by first equipping the persons who undertake the fogging work, this
MAC project is ensuring that the proper control services are provided as needed
to the affected communities.”
On hand to receive the items, Mr. Richard Baker, Chief Public Health Inspector with the St. Catherine Health Department, said
that the donation was especially important, given the proliferation of mosquitoes
during this current rainy season.
He asserted that, "the new equipment has heightened
the Department’s resolve to fight the vector problem, by replacing older
machines that are becoming less effective,” as well as to contain the upsurge
in recent cases of dengue fever and other related illnesses in the parish.
More
than 40 per cent of the St. Catherine Health Department’s monthly fogging
operations is concentrated in Portmore.
Mr. Howard Lynch, Parish Manager, St.
Catherine Health Services said that the parish welcomed the support from
Jamaica National. “The donation will greatly aid us in the mosquito control
programme and we are seeing this as the start of a fruitful partnership.”
The
Portmore Pines Branch Manager explained that the JNBS Member Advisory Councils
were established in 2004 to “engage and empower JN members and employees to
become change agents through their active participation in worthy initiatives
at the community level.”
“JNBS
was built the principle of mutuality
and in line with the goal of mutual benefit, the MACs provide a platform for
members to identify and be directly involved in selecting and approving
development projects within their respective communities. The JNBS Foundation
provides funding to the branch level for all MAC projects.”
Throughout
the JNBS’ 25 branch network, each branch has its own Member Advisory Council
and additional MACs exist in JN’s eight Money Shops across the island.