Recommendations and Reports

Recommendations should be practical and directed toward that which the local government actually can accomplish in vector control. However, recommendations can also assist governments in obtaining long-term goals that are only secondarily related to the natural disaster. It is worthwhile, therefore, to discuss all recommendations with members of international agencies and the government before writing them.

Reports should contain definitions of the potential for vector related problems and the current and future implications of the availability of manpower and other resources. Ongoing evaluation of the situation, as well as of training programs, is important because the primary concern in the report is that of the probability of the occurrence of future problems and future consequences. Actions that need to be undertaken at different points in time, or because the potential of vector related diseases is altered, should be clearly specified. Also to be included in the report are alternative ways to respond to problems that develop in regard to staff or equipment.

An outline of ways to implement and evaluate control measures should be presented in the report, and actions to be undertaken in the event that epidemic occurs should be suggested. A discussion of logistics of control (including work schedules, geographical areas to be covered and ways to implement control of diseases that may contribute to epidemics) should be included in the report. The report should also contain an enumeration of methods of supervising the staff and a list of supplies and equipment that are needed to augment current stocks.

The report and recommendations can provide guidelines when such are lacking, and they may also be used for educational purposes. It should be noted, however, that because of the existence of divergent opinions an entire program is rarely accepted and implemented unchanged.