Targeted population groups in SI with the special needs of disabled persons in mind
It was encouraging to read in the Solomon Times Online this morning that the staff at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) have joined citizens both in Honiara and across the country in the fight against COVID-19 by taking their Covid-19 vaccination.
The newspaper article outlined that recently MAL front liners from the Biosecurity Department took their vaccination, led by their Director and other senior staff. This week other officers in MAL followed suit, with a large group congregating at the Central Field Hospital near Lawson Tama for their first vaccination.
So far implementation for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out programs have covered targeted populations in Honiara, Western province, Choiseul province, Malaita Outer Islands and Guadalcanal province. Vaccination is now open for all adults above 18 years of age, the paper outline.
Vaccinations are now open to all adults above 18 years in the Solomon Islands, and I am sure this will apply to those with physical disabilities but I am not aware whether there are practical issue in terms of disabled persons having help with getting to vaccination centres, and I hope some transport is laid on by the authorities.
I believe it is especially important for disabled people to be given assistance, if not already, and to bear in mind that they can be often be scared of getting a vaccination, be vulnerable due to disability and perhaps some with lowered immune systems stemming from chronic pain, illness and a number of other disabilitating symptoms, including blindness and intense fatigue.
I am especially pleased to learn of the MAL staff having put aside any unfounded apprehension about getting vaccinated and likewise all those in the Solomon Islands that have been vaccinated so far.
The Covid crisis is far from over globally and while the Solomon Islands is reported free from the pandemic the threat of coronavirus and its new variants remains close to home shores, including in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Let me illustrate the threat by quoting a story relayed by Radio New Zealand this morning, Friday.
Quote.
Papua New Guinea authorities have confirmed that a positive Covid-19 case with the Delta variant has been detected in country.
The case is a 65-year-old male Philippine national who is the captain of a cargo ship, the Grand Tajima, which arrived in Port Moresby nine days ago.
Because the ship had previously docked in countries with known cases of the Delta strain additional quarantine precautions were taken.
The ship's captain was escorted under strict quarantine controls to the Pacific International Hospital where he tested positive
PNG Covid-19 National Pandemic Response deputy controller Dr Daoni Esorom said the new case represented a serious threat to the country.
He called for Papua New Guineans to get vaccinated against the virus, however, so far less than one percent of the population has had a first dose of the vaccine.
"I call on all Papua New Guineans not to be complacent. A recent survey found that 62 per cent of our people do not think they will catch Covid-19, and that is why they have not come forward to be vaccinated," Mr.Esorom said.
"As we all watch the number of deaths continue to rise in Fiji, in India and right around the world, we should take this as a wakeup call for us all to vaccinate. The only way for our people to survive Covid-19 is through vaccination."
PNG's government recently re-introduced strict border control measures in a bid to prevent the Delta strain reaching its shores.
The National Control Centre's last update to PNG's confirmed number of Covid-19 cases, five days ago, reported the total had reached 17,340, with 179 known deaths.
However, health authorities have recently scaled back an already limited Covid-19 testing regime as they shift their focus to vaccinating vulnerable parts of the population.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
