asked the Minister for Health the number of persons affected by sub-acute pan encephaletic (measles) virus in Ireland; the proportion of the population which have been affected; the nursing and drugs provision available for patients; if these services are provided free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Measles Virus.
5.
The number of cases of measles reported to my Department and the incidence of admissions to Cherry Orchard Hospital, has been falling dramatically in recent years. In 1985 there were 9,903 cases of measles reported but this figure fell to 201 cases in 1987. The number of admissions to Cherry Orchard Hospital, the major centre for the treatment of serious cases of measles, fell from 283 cases in 1985 to four cases in 1987.
This dramatic reduction in the incidence of measles arose from the introduction of measles immunisation in October 1985. Measles immunisation is available free of charge to all children.
Measles is also a scheduled disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981. Under these regulations, no charge is made by health boards to any person who is treated for measles in a public ward.
It may be that my question was not sufficiently specific but I was particularly anxious to pinpoint cases of children having had measles, then developing complications and going into a coma. I understand this to be a rare occurrence; I understand it to be quite low per head of population but I was anxious to ascertain how many such cases develop complications of this kind in the population and what specific facilities are provided for these patients? If the Minister has misunderstood the question or if it was not sufficiently specific, I will be quite prepared to re-enter it if he does not have the information I seek.
I will communicate with the Deputy on the number of cases of complications arising out of measles vaccination or out of the incidence of measles generally.
I was anxious to ascertain the manner in which such cases are treated. My inquiry arose out of a specific case of a young girl who has been in a coma for almost two years, needing 24 hours nursing which is very costly. I wanted to ascertain how the health services deal with such cases, or in what way they are assisted.
Under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981 a person is entitled to free treatment in a public ward when suffering from any infectious disease. If the Deputy wishes to communicate directly to me the name of the patient concerned, I will look into that case and establish whether something can be done.
I just want to explain to the Minister that my point does not relate to that specific case but rather to the general policy of his Department with regard to how patients of this kind are dealt with. It would appear to me from the slight contact I have had with the circumstances that the arrangements are not satisfactory.
Surely there are other ways of communicating with the Minister than by making a speech.
I am not making a speech, a Cheann Comhairle.
Please, Deputy, desist.
I am not making a speech; I would appreciate your allowing me to make a point.
Would the Minister clarify that the measles vaccine is entirely free? Is that the case whether a person attends a general practitioner — would the Minister clarify that — since I attended with my young son yesterday and presumed I had to pay. I am interested in the matter generally; is it entirely free?
Yes, measles immunisation is available free of charge to all children.
Through general practitioners?
All general practitioners may not have made an arrangement with their health board to provide immunisation against measles. There is no obligation on a general practitioner to enter into any contract to do so.
——and the Minister has not encouraged them.
Oh, yes I have, very much so.