Tourists To Caribbean Urged To Pay One Dollar Each To Help Fight Tropical Diseas

Tourists To Caribbean Urged To Pay One Dollar Each To Help Fight Tropical Diseases Of Poverty

ScienceDaily (May 29, 2008) — Away from the beaches, resorts, and cruise ships of the Caribbean, there lies a hidden underbelly of poverty and with this poverty comes endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In an editorial in this month's PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the journal's Editor in Chief, Professor Peter Hotez (George Washington University and Sabin Vaccine Institute) proposes that a modest US $1.00 airline or cruise ship tax or a tax on tourist entry could provide a funding mechanism for the Caribbean countries to control these NTDs.

Almost 22 million visitors come to the Caribbean annually, where they spend an estimated US$21.6 billion. And yet, says Professor Hotez, "despite the enormous amount of wealth infused into the Caribbean economy every year through tourism, very little if any trickles down to the poorest people in the region who suffer daily from chronic, debilitating, disfiguring, and stigmatizing NTDs."

Four Caribbean countries in particular have a high burden of NTDs: Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, and Jamaica. For example, out of a population of 8.1 million people, Haiti is estimated to have 3.8 million cases of whipworm (trichuriasis), almost 800,000 cases of hookworm, and 560,000 cases of the parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis, which can cause elephantiasis.

In addition to lymphatic filariasis, the Caribbean region also has high rates of schistosomiasis and of the intestinal worm hookworm. These diseases were most likely introduced into the Caribbean through the Atlantic slave trade and even today such infections still occur almost exclusively among people living in poverty or people of African descent.

It is tragic, says Professor Hotez, that the burden of these NTDs is so enormous, given how cheap it would be to control them. For example, a project in Leogane, Haiti found that giving two drugs (DEC and albendazole) every year to the whole community led to near elimination of lymphatic filariasis after five rounds of treatment. DEC costs pennies, while albendazole is donated free-of-charge by its manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.

"Given that industry is either donating the NTD drugs, or they are available as low-cost generic drugs," says Professor Hotez, "these last vestiges of American slavery could be controlled or eliminated for a ridiculously small amount."

In addition to his proposal of a $US 1.00 tourist tax, Professor Hotez puts forward several other possible funding mechanisms, including increased funding commitments by local governments, or donations from North American and European governments and private foundations.

Professor Hotez is the Executive Director of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Disease Control (http://gnntdc.sabin.org/), which proposes that the NTDs worldwide could be controlled through an integrated mass drug delivery approach.

Sassaye



Although these facts are really informative,they are also so painful to those of us who have love and compassion for the poor people of haiti.I wish each of us take the time necessary to read carefully what is said in this text in order for us to understand the ignorance and incompetency of this so called "elite".


Isn't it time we ask ourselves why we're so poor and afflicted with so many diseases?Where did all the money we owe to the FMI ,BID, go?Isn't time we ask ourselves what is the purpose of having a country if it is hell for the majority of the people?These people who pretend to govern the country should ask themeslves this question:What have we done for the salary the people are working so hard to pay us?It is time for the poor people of haiti to revolt against the new black slave masters.

I do not want to read any reactionary's comment : a revolution is not the solution.The living condition of the haitians today is worst than during slavery.Thus what was the purpose of fighting the french if the people who govern us now are worst than the white slave masters. If by next year thers is no improvement in the living condition of the masses,then Preval and all his associates should resign.Otherwise the people should invade the parliamant and the palace and ask all of them to leave.A revolutionary council should take over the government of the country.

Sanmalis,

I realize how painful this state of affairs is.
However, these are very little known facts and most of us are not aware of the consequences of these diseases on our populations.

Note that Haiti is not alone, in this case.

I take no pleasure in publishing these facts, but it is better to know the reality than to live blissfully in ignorance.

I only wish that our participants take the time to read this report.

Sassaye

Do not interpret my comment as a critic for publishing these facts.On the contrary I do appreciate your contribution to our knowledge of the facts relevant to our poverty.Indeed, it is by telling it like it is maybe we will finally make our elected officials realized how backward is the country ,and how their idiosyncrasies and indifferences to the lives of the majority of the people are causing so many pains.

These diseases that you mentionned could be eradicated in haiti if the governing bodies that are responsible for the welfare of the population were managed by competent administrators.The haitian people is suffering needlessly because our politicians are blinded by their special interests instead of the welfare of the people who elected them.At the time people are eating dirt in haiti ,where they compare hunger to Clorox the President of the country is buying cars for politicians to corrupt them.They refuse to abolish a Constitution that provides for a President,a Prime Minister,.30 Senators, 144 deputies,departmental assemblies, delegates ,vice delegates, Communal assemblies.cities councils, ambassadors and consuls all over the world.How for God sake can they find the capital to invest in health care, agriculture, education,birth control with such a burden on the budget ?Do they have any idea about responsible fiscal policy that promotes growth of the PIB?

It is by informing our people that we will finally get rid of these mediocre politicians who want to take charge of the country without any plan or vision.I sincerly applaud your contribution.

Sanmalis,
Thank you.
We must see it and tell it, like it is.