Call from the Medical Association: Beach and Pool Safety should be provided immediately – Cyprus Newspaper

The Turkish Cypriot Medical Association (KTTB) stated that the use of sea and pool began to increase with the start of the summer months, but “serious deficiencies” on the coasts and pools were observed “serious deficiencies” and the authorities called on to protect public health.

Union, the steps to be taken to protect public health; The supervision of the presence of a lifeguard, the analysis of sea and pool waters and sharing the results with the public, adopting the blue flag criteria, subjecting the beaches to pre -season risk assessment, environmental cleaning of the beaches, infrastructure and hygiene conditions, the analysis of the public pools were listed as explaining the results of the public.

« The health risks of sea and pool waters cannot be ignored »

On behalf of the Board of Directors of KTTB. Dr. Ceyhun Dalkan and Environment and Public Health Officer In a statement signed by Cemal Mert, the people turned to the beaches to cool and relax, but on the beaches and pools on hygiene and safety conditions “serious deficiencies” was observed. “As KTTB, we urgently call the authorities to the task on this vital issue that concern public health”.

In the statement pointed out that the risk of microbiological and chemical contamination in sea and pool waters increases in the summer months, gastrointestinal infections of pathogens such as E.coli, Salmonella, Norovirus, Enterovirus; Parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia could cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The statement also warned that chemical pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides that are likely to be present in sea and pool waters could cause long -term chronic health problems, even cancer.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Health should perform regular analyzes in sea and pool waters during the summer season 2025, these analyzes should be done in accredited laboratories in accordance with international standards and the results should be shared with the public in a transparent way.” He said. The statement, as in the last year, in the summer months and public pools of the “superficial” and “details of the explanations that do not contain the analysis of the analysis of the public » did not « satisfy » the public emphasized.

« No safety on the beaches: The first suffocation case will be an indication of neglect »

The first case of drowning in the summer season, this year, the necessary life safety measures were not taken on the beaches this year will be a « painful indicator » warned that the statement, 14 people drowned in the sea in 2024 was recalled.

The following said:

“We have warned many times; the majority of these deaths could be prevented. However, the Ministry of Interior and local administrations insist on implementing Article 10 of the use and inspection of the beaches. There are no dangerous regions, warning signs and security equipment are incomplete and this is clearly endangering the security of the people.

Union listed the requests under 6 headings

In order to protect public health, the steps requested to be “immediately” were listed under six headings as follows:

“1. The rule of educated and full -time cankurtaran on each beach should be strictly inspected.

2. Microbiological and chemical analyzes of sea and pool juices should be performed regularly; The results should be shared with the public in a transparent way and hung on the beaches.

3. Blue Flag criteria should be adopted as a minimum standard for all beaches.

4. Beaches should be subjected to risk assessment before the season; Inadequate ones should not be granted a license and should be prevented from serving.

5. Environmental cleaning, garbage management and infrastructure conditions should be inspected on -site; Hygiene conditions around the beach should be corrected.

6. The results of the analysis results of open pools for the use of the public should be explained urgently and the necessary measures should be taken quickly. ”

In the statement, the Ministry of Health Basic Health Services Department, the Ministry of Interior, District Governorships, Environmental Department and Local Governments should fulfill their responsibilities on this issue with seriousness, « said the following statements:

“If the ‘same chain of neglect’ in this summer continues, every new health problem and every new loss of life to be experienced will be the responsibility of these negligent managers. Our people and tourists who come to our country have the right to cool off without worrying about their health in the beaches and pools.