Health Ministry Urged to Address Mosquito Threat, Says Medical Association
The Turkish Cypriot Medical Association is expressing concern and urging action after the cancellation of a tender for the purchase of medicines to combat mosquitoes by the Ministry of Health. The association claims that despite their contributions and cooperation, the Ministry failed to manage the process.
In a written statement, the Board of Directors of the Union highlighted the establishment of a Public Health Committee by the Ministry of Health with the participation of all stakeholders, including the Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, to determine the most effective method to combat mosquitoes. However, the Ministry hastily launched a pharmaceutical procurement tender without waiting for the Committee’s decision, leading to the cancellation of the tender by the Competition Board.
The Medical Association emphasized the ecological consequences of using chemicals in areas with biological diversity and urged that a similar tender not be repeated. They called on the Minister of Health, Hakan Dinçyürek, to take urgent action on the issue, including measures for physical, cultural, and biological combat against mosquitoes.
The Association stressed the vital importance of public health, environmental health, and ecology, and called for collaboration with stakeholders and local governments to address the issue effectively. The cancellation of the tender was seen as an opportunity to implement correct practices in combating mosquitoes.
