Is Jamaica really free of TB?
published: Wednesday | February 22, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WAS immediately attracted to the headline in The Gleaner on Friday February 17, 2006 captioned "Jamaica tuberculosis free - Dr. Davidson", but I have a few lingering questions that I need to be addressed.

The statement that was reported to have been made by the experienced physician Dr. Davidson that Jamaica is free of a tuberculosis epidemic is quite true, but have there not been sporadic occurrences throughout the island in the recent past? Was this not blamed on the current rise in the HIV/AIDS epidemic?

These enquiries take nothing away from the medical professionals in the health sector who are doing an excellent job with the immunisation programme. However, if there are still occurrences, I dare say that we are not by any means FREE of tuberculosis.

I am, etc.,

Dr. ROMAYNE EDWARDS

glamorous00@yahoo.com

Barbican

Via Go-Jamaica