Nishimura's Pen

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO CORONAVIRUS-19 (COVID-19) entry will have social, economic and health impact in the country says the World Health Organizations. Dr Sevil Huseynova WHO representative in Solomon Islands says the current coronavirus threat is not just health issues but a public health emergency of National Concern that will lead to social, economic and health impact Dr Sevil Huseynova WHO representative in Solomon Islands She said it is time the government and people of Solomon Islands need to prepare, get ready and really understand the right approaches that is needed when it comes to COVID-19 as it is a national concern. “This is not just a health issue – this a Public health emergency of National Concern, that will have social, economic and health impacts on the country. “It’s time to prepare, it’s time to get ready. It is time for us all to really understand that an all-of-government and an all-of-society approach is what is needed,” she said.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO SOLOMON Islands is at a high risk of Coronavirus -19 (COVID-19) outbreak says Minister for Health Dickson Mua. Minister for Health Dickson Mua Speaking at a media conference on 4 th March 2020 Mr 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. With this in mind, the ministry of Health and Medical Services has prepared a COVID-19 Operational Plan which Cabinet endorsed last Thursday ,27 th of February. The COVID-19 Operational Plan summarizes the activities that my ministry is undertaking both to prepare for the entry of COVID-19 into Solomon Islands, and to respond to the virus if it does enter the country. He said as part Ministry’s preparedness activities under the COVID-19 operational plan a great deal of work has been put into identifying suitable facilities that can be used for the quarantine of people entering the countr

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 4 th 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