3000 Luaniua residents denied health services for reportedly two years.
Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 12 September 2018
“Lack of medical services due to an incomplete clinic on Luaniua in the Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands is affecting the sick and has resulted in deaths.
“Because of the desperate situation, the islanders living on the atolls want their incomplete clinic to be completed by this year.
“Speaking to this paper last week in Luaniua chairman of the clinic board David Gapani said because of lack of medical services some of their people died due to lack of treatment and medication.
“He said it’s a sad situation because sick patients lack access to medication to treat their sickness.
“Most times they depend on herbal medication and simple home treatment to cure their sickness but it’s not enough for other major diseases or even during birth.
“My village lacks medical services and it’s really sad because some of our people died due to lack of medical services,” he said.
“Mr Gapani said only Pelau has a clinic which can be reached by travelling on an outboard motor (OBM).
”It takes two or more hours to reach Pelau but lack of fuel is a setback for my people,” he said.
“Ships normally travel to MOI once a month and that’s when fuel supplies are brought in, yet it did not last for a month due to demand.
“Mr Gapani said he has sought assistance from the Member of Parliament (MP) and the Provincial Member to seriously address the situation by completing their clinic.
“However, there was no response from them, he added.
“Luaniua has a population of more than 3000 residents and this requires the presence of a running health clinic, he said.
“If the clinic project is not considered by our two leaders then the lives of our people will still be at risk.
“Our plea is for the MP and the provincial member to visit us and find ways to complete the building before the next general election,” he said.”
Copyright @ 2018, Solomon Star news.
