Catholic Church joins war on dengue, rebuke of loan shark scandal

Santo Domingo.- CardinalNicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez on Thursday said the Catholic Church will supportPublic Health´s actions to halt the spread of dengue, which has already claimedthe lives of 73 people, mostly children.

In a meeting with the prelate, Public Healthminister Altagracia Guzman accompanied by technicians also called on the mediato contribute to control the disease, and thanked the Archbishop Santo Domingo,who said the priests of churches nationwide have already been informed to includethe fight against the disease in their services.

In a statement,Public Health said the fact that the dengue outbreak covers 24 provinces posesa challenge to health authorities.

Cardinals wants investigation

López Rodríguez also asked the Justice Ministry to investigate Miguel Pimentel Kareh, former head of the beleaguered State Works Supervisory Engineers Office (OISOE), in the wake of the ring of loan sharks blamed for the suicide of the architect David Rodriguez two weeks ago.