Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Vice President of the People's National Party, Dr. Fenton Ferguson is expressing deep concern about the extensive break out of pink eye in several parishes across the country.

While he is aware that the situation is not life threatening, Dr. Ferguson believes that further spread would put tremendous pressure on the health care system and would have productivity implications based on the lack of attendance at places of work and schools.

Dr. Ferguson is calling on the Minister of Health and Environment, Hon. Rudyard Spencer to step up the pink eye advisory to the nation in order to prevent the situation from reaching epidemic proportion.

The Opposition is also expressing concern that the fall out in the international financial markets could have a negative impact on the sustainability of the governmentʼs free health care policy. Dr. Ferguson is calling on the Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding to ensure that health care remains a top priority in any plan to deal with the international crisis.