Madam, - The Special Olympics will be the biggest sporting and cultural event ever to take place in Ireland and the biggest sporting event in the world in 2003. The mission statement for the games states that the aim is "to provide in Ireland a unique and unparalleled sporting and cultural experience for the athletes taking part from 160 international delegations all over the world, as well as for their coaches, families, volunteers and sponsors, combining the excitement of sport with the opportunity for personal distinction, achievement and pride."
Congratulations must go, therefore, must go to the councillors of Clonmel Borough Council who seized their own opportunity for "personal distinction, achievement and pride" by deciding not to accept the athletes from Hong Kong whom they were due to host. In one decision they have managed to combine discrimination, ignorance, intolerance and a degree of xenophobia. Ironically, 2003 is also the "European Year of People with Disabilities".
If a delegation from Hong Kong, or one of the other countries affected by the SARS virus, intended to travel to Clonmel with a view to opening a business that would provide employment in the area, would they be given the same reception? - Yours, etc.,
SEAMUS WHELAN, Seafield Court, Killiney, Co Dublin.
Madam, - In addition to being a serious risk to public health the SARS virus is a particular threat to health workers. In Toronto, for example, a quarter of all confirmed cases are health workers. Protecting health professionals and their families must be a major priority in any health strategy dealing with SARS. Urgent consideration should now be given to the most effective method of treating suspected probable and confirmed cases of SARS.
Processing suspect cases through GP clinics, hospital reception and A&E departments is itself a high-risk activity. It is also evident from the experience in other countries that the presence of SARS in a major hospital will undermine the provision of other medical services. A SARS outbreak must not be allowed to overwhelm an already overstretched hospital system. It has become evident in recent days that there is a shortage of high-level isolation units within the Irish Hospital system.
While prevention must remain the priority we must put in place adequate measures to contain any possible outbreak of SARS. There is now a compelling argument for designating a small number of specific hospital facilities for the confirmed and probable SARS cases. Cherry Orchard is one obvious location. These units should now be prepared and fully equipped. They should be staffed with highly motivated medical staff specially trained to implement the most rigorous infection control procedures. Specific clinics with a high level of infection control should be used for initial contact and assessment of possible and suspect cases. Adequate quarantine facilities will also be required for high-risk individuals. Specially designated ambulances with well-trained and well-protected ambulance crews should be used for transporting all SARS cases.
A focused approach involving SARS specific procedures and facilities is the most effective method of containing any outbreak. It is also a sensible medical response to a new highly infectious disease, which is surrounded by many unknowns. This approach will also allow for a concentrated effort on insuring the highest level of health protection for medical workers and their families and lessen the possibility of severe disruption to major hospitals.- Yours, etc.,
Senator BRIAN HAYES, Leinster House, Dublin 2.
Madam, - When our national media are finished with the sensationalism of SARS, and our politicians are finished with their political point-scoring, perhaps the 46 per cent of cancer patients who presently have no access to radiotherapy and are dying due to failure to obtain basic cancer treatment might just merit attention. - Yours, etc.,
JANE BAILEY, Circular Road, Dunmore East, Co Waterford.