Not if, but when: PS McNeil

-


BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO


CORONAVIRUS-19 (COVID-19) entering Solomon Islands is not a question of if but is the question of “if” but “when” says Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

In press conference on 4th of March 2020, senior officials from stakeholders and government ministries confirmed this fear, however assuring that measures being put in place will help Solomon Islands stand a fighting chance of overcoming this global threat.

Pauline McNeil Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) said in terms of preparing for this, again the government is working hard to ensure that right preparedness is in place with the right measures in place.

Pauline McNeil Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health

“But again the messaging from  the ministry is, there are certain measures in terms of what you can do at  home, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when coughing and sneezing, keep your distance, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth and avoid unnecessary overcrowding and also always cook your foods well cooked.

“I’d like to say that preparedness is key for all of us, there would come a time when we need to put in place certain measures and that could include closing down of schools, closing down of churches.

“So, these are the measures the ministry is working hard to ensure that the right measures are taken place at the right time when it is called for,” said McNeil.
Minister for Health Dickson Mua said there is a high risk of COVID -19 spread at global and regional levels and the impact risk of a COVID-19 outbreak in Solomon Islands is also high.

Mua said with this, his ministry has been working hard to prepare for any potential entry of virus into the country.

“My ministry is also working hard to prepare for the potential entry of the virus into the country,” he said.

Mua adds, COVID-19 has been declared a public health emergency of international concern and has the potential to be declared as a global pandemic if the spread of the virus continues to accelerate.

“As a consequence, we need to be ready in case COVID-19 reaches, Solomon Islands,” he said.

Clezy Rore Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) said strict border controls should and must be maintain to prevent the entry of this virus.
“I must stress the importance of maintaining strict border controls if we are to prevent the entry of the Coronavirus into our country.

“Whilst the measures that have been introduced may cause some individuals inconvenience, the restrictions that have been put in place have been introduced in the interest of protecting the population of Solomon Islands during this global public outbreak.

“Travellers are asked to respect the restrictions that have been put in place and not take out any frustrations they may have on Immigration staff,” said Rore.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Social accountability project launched by Oxfam and partners

-
Image
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO A project that aims to improve social accountability in the Solomon Islands was launched in Honiara by Oxfam Solomon Islands and the Solomon Islands Social Accountability Coalition (SISAC).    The project – funded by European Union – hopes to strengthen the capacity of the coalition (SISAC) and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the next three years to promote inclusive development and enhance democratic governance and accountability among government and civil society institutions in the country. The “Improving Social Accountability in the Solomon Islands” is a three-year long project in the duration from April 2018 to March 2019. Addressing the launching occasion Simon Uesikoke, the Social Accountability Project Manager, said its overall objective is to promote inclusive development and enhance democratic governance and accountability among government and civil institutions in Solomon Islands. Participants who witnessed the
Read more

SIMCAP project eyes 2nd phase

-
Image
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO THE Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Capacity Development Project (SIMCAP) have eyed implementing the second phase of the project. This was disclosed last week during the wrapped up event of its first phase in Honiara. Speaking during the end event Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Dr Melchior Mataki said the ministry is planning to implement the second potential phase of the project. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Dr Melchior Mataki He said, however it was planned differently and there is still a need to work on its details and commitment towards its implementation to make it done. Ms Asuza Kubota country manager of United Nation Development Program (UNDP) said the second phase requires collaborative partnership.
Read more

Tran supports 3 clinics in west Honiara

-
Image
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO Hon. Namson Tran MEMBER of Parliament for West Honiara Constituency Namson Tran has stepped in to support three clinics with medical supplies as the country faces shortage in medicine. Mr Tran rendered support to three clinics under his constituency including Mbokona, Rove Area Health Centre and White River clinic with medical drugs. Yesterday West Honiara Constituency Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Brain Taupiri officially handed over the drugs to nurses in charge of the three clinics. Taupiri says the medical supplies purchased by Tran are only to be distributed amongst the three clinics under his constituency. “These medical supplies donated are basic medications which will provide support to treat patients until the National Medical store is back to normal. “On behalf of Tran he said he acknowledges that this is a national issue, a crisis, a life threatening and the main focus is the National Referral Hospital (NRH
Read more