There has been a re-emergence of syphilis in Trinidad and Tobago, with numbers already reaching close to the 200 mark for this year.
This was confirmed by Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe, who revealed that syphilis cases have surged, raising concerns for mothers and newborns.
The Health Minister said syphilis was once thought to be nearly eradicated, but there has been an upsurge in cases in recent years.
“I remember as an obstetrician gynaecologist in my later years wondering why do we still do testing for syphilis because it had become so less frequent. But now there’s a re-emergence.”
Syphilis is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment, with newborns also prone to contracting the disease.
Speaking to reporters after the official handing-over ceremony of telehealth kits from PAHO/WHO, Director of Women’s Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh, noted that almost all pregnant women are tested for syphilis in the public and private sectors.
“In the past few years, we’ve seen a significant rise in the number of cases. For example, on average, we normally get around 30 to 40 cases per year. Last year, we saw over 100. This year, we are actually close to 200 cases in the community.”
Dr. Sirjusingh said the Ministry is looking at the possible reasons for the re-emergence.
“There are a number of factors, including, of course, that there are nationals and non-nationals, but we are, of course, as we heard today, we’re collecting data to launch another strengthening exercise with the RHAs. But certainly for the data we have for the past few years – I’ve been there since 2017 – there’s a significant rise.”
Minister Bodoe confirmed that treatment resources are in place.
“Dr. Sirjusingh mentioned that the treatment is penicillin. It’s by way of an injection. And once a rise in cases became known, we’ve taken steps at the Ministry to ensure the availability of the penicillin injections and so on.”
Dr. Sirjusingh warned that syphilis often goes undetected.
“So it’s not something that shows symptoms, especially in females, that’s where the testing is. There are a few cases that are known to have syphilis even before pregnancy.”
He stressed the devastating consequences for unborn children.
“It can cause a miscarriage, foetal death, as well as long-term complications with the foetus, including mental development, different symptoms with the heart, joints, and so on. So it’s a long-term issue.”
He also noted that some women are missing critical care.
“So one of the problems we found is that we are seeing a number of women who don’t access care, both nationals and non-nationals, for whatever reasons, and that’s really what we’re working on: getting them for early antenatal care.”
Minister Bodoe emphasised the importance of early antenatal care, stressing that timely detection makes treatment simpler and far more effective.