Hawaii is getting more than $8.3 million in federal money to help health officials prepare for bioterrorism. Hawaii to get $8.3 million
to fight bioterrorismOfficials plan to spend the money
to improve preparedness plansBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comState Health Director Bruce Anderson said the funding could not have happened at a better time.
Until now the state has received little funding for bioterrorism, he said.
"This is the first major funding for this purpose," he said.
Coincidentally, the Health Department introduced bills at the Legislature that would allow it to gather information to help locate people suspected of being exposed to dangerous diseases. Senate Bill 2779 and House Bill 2521 would give the department the authority to confiscate and dispose of contaminated items.
The federal government handed out more than $1 billion yesterday to states and cities. Funds were distributed to educate medical and emergency workers about the signs of bioterrorism.
States can spend 20 percent of the funds immediately. Also, each state is required to submit a comprehensive plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve its public health-care system by March 15. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will review each plan within 30 days. Hawaii will receive the rest of its funds after the plan is approved.
Anderson said the funds will be used to improve four areas: the state's comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness plans, upgrade infectious disease surveillance systems and investigation, expand state laboratory and communications capacities, and improve connectivity between hospitals and city, local and state agencies.
"We're probably as advanced as any other country. But we still have a lot to do," he said.
Anderson said an advisory committee composed of city and state health officials, Civil Defense, police, fire, voluntary organizations and officials of the health care industry is expected to meet within a month to determine how the funds will be distributed.
"This funding will give Hawaii an unprecedented opportunity to improve our ability to respond to threats of bioterrorism and at the same time strengthen our public health infrastructure," added Anderson.
According to Gov. Ben Cayetano's communications director, Jackie Kido, "the governor welcomes the federal support, and before commenting on how it will impact Hawaii, he needs to look at the specifics of the federal priorities as well as ensure that the administration consults with others levels of government, hospitals, the statewide bioterrorism task force and others."