GOVERNMENT BOOST PREPAREDNESS IN PROVINCES TO FIGHT COVID-19

The National Government is boosting preparedness against covid-19 at the Provincial level even though the country’s 9 provinces have not been declared emergency zones.

Last week specialised teams led by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services were deployed to provincial centers to assess potential quarantine and isolation sites. 

Site visits were made to Gizo and Noro in the Western Province as well as in Auki, Malaita Province. Similar visits were made to other Provinces

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said these provincial preparedness measures are part of the Government’s inclusive approach towards its fight against COVID-19. 

Sogavare also announced current efforts at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara where the Government funded equilibrator for Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been delivered and set up. 

A COVID 19 X-Ray machine that New Zealand has provided has now been set up at the Isolation Ward of the NRH while assistance from the World Health Organisation is now in country.

Sogavare also said that other remaining Medical equipment and kits are currently transiting through Australia and due to arrive in the coming days. These include those from Australia the People’s Republic of China and other parts of the region. 

With most of the equipment now being delivered, NRH will very soon have the capacity to do in-country testing for covid-29 cases.