Members were selected from relevant agencies of the state government, including private businesses, church groups, and other groups or individuals on the island who are willing to assist the government and the communities carry out their plans for an island wide cleanup campaign.
The group held its first meeting on Tuesday to discuss and formulate an action plan as to how and when the state should mobilize a cleanup campaign against the Aedes mosquito and other types of mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus around Yap Island and the Neighboring Islands.
The group elected John Gilmatam, chief executive officer for Yap Community Health Center as its chairman; Cyril Yinnefel of the state hospital as vice chairman; and Phillip Ranganbay, operation manager for the community health center as secretary.
Representatives from the Department of Health Services reported that the number of dengue fever cases in the state continued to increase. As of Nov. 29, 2011, the number of dengue cases reached 560 and was expected to continue to rise as the state hospital was inundated with people seeking medical care.
The group developed a plan on how the people should clean around their homes and what each of the communities should do to assist in the cleanup efforts.
The group felt that it would be more effective if the chiefs in each of the communities take the lead and be responsible for the implementation of the cleanup effort.
Members of the group also discussed ways to increase public awareness on the mosquito virus and also when to initiate a the cleanup campaign throughout the island.
The group proposed Friday, Dec. 9, as D-Day within the state of Yap. Government and schools should be closed on that day so students and government employees could help with the cleanup in their communities.
The group must first take its plan to the governor for approval before it could take any action.
