NRH training staff to manage any outbreak of COVID-19

NRH training staff to manage any outbreak of COVID-19

Posted by : Frank Short Posted on : 13-Nov-2021
NRH training staff to manage any outbreak of COVID 19

With the current national level of vaccination coverage of only 14.3 per cent, it is critical that the NRH hospital trains and provides additional manpower and resources to get the vaccines to the people, in their communities.

A community outbreak of COVID-19 in the country would be devastating, and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) says it will not be able to cope with a sudden increase of COVID-19 infected persons.

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The NRH says that even advanced hospitals and health systems around the world, including neighbouring pacific island countries, have succumbed to the high number of COVID-19 infected people seeking medical attention at their hospital’s outpatient.

Because of this, the NRH has been actively supporting the current vaccination drive in Honiara and Guadalcanal. Having high numbers of the population vaccinated will ease the burden at the NRH should there be an outbreak.

Dr George Malefoasi Chief Executive Officer of NRH explained that with the current level of national vaccination coverage of only 14.3 percent it is critical that the hospital trains and provides additional manpower and resources to get the vaccines to the people, in their communities.

“Getting more of our people vaccinated is better for our hospital as there will not be much pressure on our limited resources in the event of a community transmission. The tents at the car park space in front of the eye centre will be used as a vaccination centre while our outreach teams will be moving along with health promotion teams led by Dr Jones Ghabu our Consultant Physician and Head of Internal Medicines as they roll out awareness around communities in Honiara”, said Dr Malefoasi.

He explained that with the engagement of the 50 plus NRH workers, health care services at the hospital will not be affected.

“Most in these groups are nurses designated for the COVID- 19 response team from the hospital beside the normal hospital service. Along with doctors, the vaccination team will conduct data registration whilst the nurses will administer the vaccines and conduct post-vaccination monitoring. Most of them were also engaged previously with vaccinations at the Central Field Hospital and quarantine screening services.

Dr Malefoasi issued a stern warning to all who are yet to get vaccinated to come forward to get their vaccination done. “COVID-19 entry and community transmission remain a real possibility and therefore people’s health and lives are still at great risk with the level and rate of vaccine uptake.”

“NRH will continue to work and do our very best with the resources we have to save you or your loved one from dying of COVID-19 in the event of a community transmission, but it cannot be guaranteed”.

End of quote.

Sources MHMS Media and Solomon Times Online

Meanwhile in separate news from Radio New Zealand today, Saturday, it is reported that NZ has sent medical teams to PNG as COVID-19 cases have overwhelmed its medical health system

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A New Zealand medical and logistics support team with essential supplies to assist Papua New Guinea with its Covid-19 crisis have departed New Zealand.

Associate Foreign Minister Aupito William Sio said the PNG government has formally requested humanitarian and medical support from partner governments to respond to the health crisis, with rising case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths due to the current Delta surge.

As of 9 November, PNG has recorded 415 Covid-19 deaths with local media reporting the health system is unable to cope with the medical crisis.

Minister Aupito said New Zealand is deeply saddened by the increasing loss of lives in Papua New Guinea due to the pandemic.

"New Zealand remains committed to supporting its Pacific neighbours to respond to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic," the minister said.

"By working closely with our partners in the region, we can make a tangible contribution to Covid-19 resilience," Minister Aupito said.

A logistics component comprising two New Zealand Defence Force logisticians and a New Zealand Defence Force Environmental Health Officer will support the Papua New Guinea National Control Centre in the capital, Port Moresby.

A clinical component comprising two doctors and three nurses from private company Respond Global, two Fire and Emergency New Zealand logisticians and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be based in Bougainville to support the Bougainville Department of Health.

"Most of the team departed Saturday morning on a New Zealand Defence Force aircraft and will be based in Papua New Guinea for approximately one month," Aupito William Sio said.

There are already medical teams on the ground from Australia and Britain assisting Papua New Guinea with the medical crisis.

 End of quote.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

www.solomonislandsinfocus

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