18 February 2022
The Health Minister, Dr. Culwick Togamana, has reportedly said it is concerning to note that people are no longer taking COVID-19 health measures seriously.
He says the rate of infection is not showing signs of slowing, and such a lax attitude will put the most vulnerable in our families and communities at risk.
The elderly and all at home with underlying medical conditions are particularly at risk from contracting the virus. NCDs in the Solomon Islands contribute to the kind of “underlying” medical conditions that considerable add to a person’s risk from Covid complications that could cause death to the most vulnerable.
When I think particularly of heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung infections – all associated with NCDs, and then I would please request you take the advice of Dr. Culwick, the MHMS and the government very seriously.
I will illustrate my point by saying to you that as a senior citizen with a serious health issue, I have been in hospital with Covid for 5 days in Thailand and because of the degree and serious nature of my underlying illness I have little resistance to fight off Covid as my immune system is too weak. I have developed pneumonia on my left lung and will remain in hospital until the lung infection is possibly cleared and I am clear of Covid.
Luckily, I had two vaccination injections prior to contracting Covid which has increased my chances of recovery.
“It is sad to learn that people are no longer taking the COVID-19 health measures seriously at home
“We still need to think of our elderly and those with underlying medical conditions at home. Let us not be complacent with the virus,” the Health Minister said during his daily COVID-19 situation report on the national broadcaster, SIBC.
He admits that with the fast spreading community outbreak the fragile health care system is at risk of becoming overwhelmed.
He says that health promotion teams, both at the national and provincial levels, will continue to disseminate COVID-19 public health messages through various communication modes.
It is important that the public pay attention to all health messages and follow them strictly. I fully support Dr, Culwick and please request that his sound medical advice is followed.
There are currently 5,565 positive cases of Covid-19 in the country, but the numbers are said to be significantly higher because of limitations in our testing capacity.
Officially, there have been 68 confirmed deaths from Covid-19.
Ramping up vaccinations is critical in the Solomon Islands as Covid-19 reaches across the country overloading the country’s fragile health system from the capital city Honiara to remote islands and villages.
Last week, authorities said one in every two people had Covid-19 symptoms, and testing was overwhelmed, indicating that many more people are sick with the virus.
More health workers are infected with Covid-19 limiting medical treatment, testing and vaccinations. Authorities are training non-health workers on how to scale up rapid testing to urgently help fill the gap.
Clement Manuri, Secretary General of Solomon Islands Red Cross Society has said:
“Covid-19 is spreading fast to the most remote communities. Testing and health services are overloaded, and this dangerous virus is running rampant in villages where people are yet given a first dose of the vaccine.
“We are urgently sending more Red Cross teams to raise awareness on how deadly this virus is so that people can protect themselves. We are helping people with critical information on how to isolate at home and care for sick family members.”
In the Solomon Islands, only 11 per cent of the eligible population has received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and 16 per cent have received a first dose, according to Our World in Data. Misinformation and rumours have contributed to people being hesitant to get vaccinated. Getting vaccines to remote island communities remains a major logistical challenge.
Katie Greenwood Pacific Head of Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said:
“We have already seen in Fiji and Papua New Guinea how this ruthless virus overwhelms hospitals and health systems. As COVID takes off across the Pacific, it’s more important than ever that vaccines get in the arms of people who are unvaccinated.”
"Solomon Islands and other countries in the Pacific are facing their first wave of Covid-19 and it’s clear that vaccinations help protect people from severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in countries with fragile health systems.
“Increasing vaccination rates in the Pacific is crucial to prevent death and suffering. We must remember that it’s also critical to help control the spread of this virus by maintaining physical distance, wearing masks, washing hands and avoiding crowded places.”
Source: Press Release IFRC and Solomon Times Online.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
