Linden’s bauxite dust creates boon conditions for pharmacists

Mar 14, 2012 News

…but torment for people with respiratory ailments

Sales in medicinal drugs to alleviate the suffering of persons with certain respiratory conditions have doubled in recent times, according to some of the more prominent pharmacies in Linden.
Jose Emerson, manager of Ruby G’s Pharmacy in the Mackenzie market, was quick to point out that ‘cold’ medicines are the fastest selling pharmaceuticals in Linden.

Pharmacies in Linden, Region 10, have been doing good business as residents there continue to be affected by a dust pollution problem.

Emerson who has helped to manage the family business over the past 10 years told this newspaper that in all his years in the pharmacy, the recent upsurge in sales of drugs used for the alleviation of these conditions is unequalled.
“Now there are persons with sinus conditions, who are convinced that the dust inhalation is responsible for making their condition worse- these people would come in and purchase certain drugs like Advil Cold and Sinus, Piriton Double, and Benjamin Sinus.
“But the drugs can only do so much, when the people are being daily exposed to the dust pollution that is causing their discomfort in the first place. We have to get rid of the source; we can only treat the symptoms. Now I notice in today’s (yesterday) papers all the plans that Bosai has to deal with the dust situation- now this ‘dealing’ is long overdue- people are suffering and it is about time that we get some action and less talk,” Emerson emphasised.
Officials at another prominent Linden pharmacy also pointed out that there have been ‘significant’ increases in the sale of these drugs in the recent past.
“Overall, and judging from our sales records over a specific period, drugs for respiratory and sinus conditions have always been topping the list in sales here,” one dispenser pointed out.
Another pharmacist observed, “In the few years I have been practicing here, I have come into contact with quite a few persons with respiratory conditions. The sneezing, coughing and other cold symptoms- most persons are always with a cold, a severe chest cold that is– I would say are directly related to the dust situation here. And I work under the Ministry of Health. On a daily basis we would cover at least fifty cases- but then we need to take into consideration that some of these patients are repeaters, as some of them don’t comply as it relates with how they should use their medicines.”
Lindeners have been besieged by dust on a daily basis over the years, and residents have vociferously condemned the various entities that have managed the bauxite industry of being uncaring.
But now, hope is in sight as a government team inspected the facility and Bosai has committed to installing systems to reduce the pollution.
On Monday, during a press conference with Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, Company Secretary of Bosai, Major-General (rtd), Norman McLean, disclosed that the dust trapping mechanism system is 90 per cent complete. Two more components are due in Guyana within a few weeks, he added.
The dust pollution problem will ease by June with the full installation of the dust trapping systems, the official said, stressing that the particles affecting the Linden area are really the finest quality of bauxite.
According to McLean, there were around 40 visits from the Chinese to look into the dust problem with the new system, the first one in almost 40 years.
Bosai also took the opportunity to announce that it will be plugging almost US$100M for expansion in its Region Ten bauxite operations over the next year.
Additionally, at least 500 permanent jobs will be created as a result and six megawatts of power generating sets will be added to the area.
The announcement was made by Bosai officials shortly before a board meeting Monday with government which holds a 30 per cent share in the Chinese-owned company.