The Ministry of National Security of The Bahamas last week hosted a three day workshop on Crisis Management, as well as a Simulation Exercise on Bioterrorism in Nassau. The workshop, which was held at the Paul Farquharson Centre, Police Headquarters, East Street, 19th through 21st February, 2014, was attended by Dr. Gerry Eijkemans, PWR- The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands and Mr. Sherlin Brown, Administrator/Disaster Focal Point from the local office. Ms. Lealou Reballos, Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist of PAHO’s Office of Caribbean Program Coordination [CPC] based in Bridgetown, Barbados, was also in Nassau to attend the workshop and also made 2 presentations.
The workshop was officially opened by the Honourable Dr. Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security, who noted that there was much evidence to suggest that terrorists have a strong interest in the use of biological weapons as detained terror suspects have in the past declared and demonstrated their capabilities in the use of such weapons, as in the case of Anthrax in 2001.
Police raids globally have also revealed the intentions of such groupings through the seizure of paraphernalia associated with the production and use of various biological weapons.
Dr. Nottage said that while the positive impact of the biotechnology industries must not be disputed, we should be aware that the continued expansion of these industries throughout the world also adds to the increased potential for a bioterrorist attack as new pathogens and ideas that drive their creation are quickly multiplying as a result of that expansion. While many still question whether the threat exists or can occur in our region, Dr. Nottage opined that there is no question in his mind that the threat is real.
Ms. Reballos’ presentations on day one and three of the workshop included topics such as: Disaster management in the health sector (overview of disaster in the Caribbean – it’s potential health effects); health disaster management in the Caribbean (highlighting the role of the health sector in disaster management); Bioterrorism and International Cooperation of PAHO (overview of epidemics and pandemics as crises, bioterrorism as it relates to health, international health regulation as a key consideration to responding to bioterrorism); and PAHO’s support. (PAHO news)
