WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has distanced himself from the claim of Health Minister Dorothy Pietersz-Janga that the drug ivermectin would be effective against the COVID-19 virus.
The minister, who is a doctor by profession, made her controversial statement in a television broadcast. It sparked a flood of outrage from medical circles. The anti-parasiticide ivermectin, which is available illegally on the island, can have serious side effects. It has not been shown that it would help against COVID.
Pisas has addressed his party colleague, but sees no reason to fire her in the incident (a “learning moment”). However, Pietersz-Janga, who is not a convinced proponent of vaccination, is not allowed to talk about the corona pandemic anymore.
Last weekend a milestone was reached in Curaçao: 100,000 inhabitants have now had at least one shot. With a percentage of 60% fully vaccinated, the island lags behind Aruba (71%) and Bonaire (73%).