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Interview with Mr . Nickolas Steele Minister of Health , Grenada
Q : How has Grenada coped during the pandemic ?
A : I think we ’ ve done extremely well , based on the challenges we ’ ve had . The threats to Grenada are no different than those to any other country in the world . We entered this pandemic with a disadvantage with respect to the resilience and strength of our health system , our economy , etc . But we have been able to make significant , timely , tough decisions that have paid off . Things have returned as best as possible under the circumstances . [ At the time of this interview on May 18 , 2021 ], there is still a curfew in place from midnight to 4am and restrictions with respect to size of gatherings , but all in all , almost every single business is allowed to operate under those conditions . We presently have zero cases .
Q : Will you say that Covid has brought to the forefront the need for an enhancement of the island ’ s medical infrastructure ?
A : Covid has brought health to the forefront . Individuals now recognize the importance of health . Having the right budget allocations and leadership in health has been recognized . I do hope that we maintain those priorities as we exit Covid-19 and move forward .
Q : Coming out of this Covid crisis , has government identified any opportunities that can be applied to key areas in Grenada ’ s healthcare system ?
A : We have had to significantly enhance our border control , border monitoring and testing . That is one Covid ’ s legacies . We have significantly enhanced our PCR testing capabilities which is / can be used not only for Covid-19 , but for a multitude of other viruses , diseases , and also agriculture . With us boosting that capacity , there is one most definite legacy from Covid-19 , this is the strengthening of our environmental health wardens who are the ones on the frontline , monitoring quality , the quarantine sites , individuals , size of gatherings , etc . The improvement of various facilities at the General Hospital is another legacy . Our nurses as well have played a key role and in general , all of our health care frontline and health practitioners are being recognized for the significant contributions they make to society .
Q : How can PCR testing be used in the agriculture industry ?
A : Nutmegs . It takes quite a few years for a farmer to determine whether or not a tree is male or female . With a PCR test , it is now