The decision by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to ask athletes from five SARS-affected countries not to travel to Ireland for the Special Olympics lacks political courage and consistency, even if it reflects the over-stretched state of our public health services.
Risk assessments can vary, depending on the circumstances and the possible consequences. In this particular case, an ultra-cautious approach has been adopted at both a political and official level. The fact that a SARS outbreak could overwhelm our health services appears to have been the deciding factor in reaching this decision, rather than any objective scientific or medical evidence concerning the risks posed by the groups involved.
Fewer than two weeks ago, the minister said he had no plans to scan businessmen and travellers from infected countries for the SARS virus when they arrived in Ireland. That was in line with the EU approach. But he has now decided that athletes from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines must stay away, in spite of their offers of advance quarantine precautions and medical screening programmes. The Special Olympics organisers have complained of discrimination.
A no-risk recommendation from an expert medical group, which included officers of his Department, is at the heart of the matter. Initially, the minister expressed a desire that all Special Olympics participants should travel, with due precautions, and he established the expert group to advise him on the matter. But, as the strike by public health doctors dragged on into its fifth week and reductions in Government spending began to close hospital wards and affect medical facilities, apprehension over the possible consequences of a SARS outbreak took root. Protecting public health appeared to become the sole determinant in this case, even though other travel practices continue to pose a threat.
Advice from the Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that the exclusion of persons from infected areas is not an appropriate response. And our medical correspondent, Dr Muiris Houston, reports that public health specialists believe athletes from the five nations could be safely accommodated here.
The minister has indicated that affected athletes may still attend the Games if the WHO removes their countries from the list of infected regions at least 10 days before the Special Olympics begin. As of now, it would appear Singapore may qualify on those grounds. But more should be done. Mr Martin does not have to accept the no-risk recommendation of his expert group. We cannot cut ourselves off from the world. He can adopt the WHO guidelines for large-attendance events, accept advance quarantine precautions, and treat the Special Olympics as truly special.