MINISTER for Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dickson Mua says any work to prevent the potential entry of the COVID-19 into the country must be done now, not later.
Mua said following the activation of the National Disaster Operational Committee (NDOC) Health Committee which supported by the Solomon Islands office of the World Health Organisation and Technical assistance brought by the Australian Government, his ministry has developed its COVID-19 Preparedness and Responds operational plan.
“The operational plan documented the action required to be taken to prepare for, response to and recover from any outbreak of COVID-19 in Solomon Islands,” he said.
He said the ministry’s COVID-19 operational plan and budget which was submitted and approved by the Cabinet on the 27th February 2020 provides high levelled details of numerous activities that my ministry has been progressing in responds to the threats of COVID-19.
Mua said the COVID-19 operation plan articulates a whole of government approach in three different phases.
“In phase one, the plan covers prevention and preparedness, phase two deals with response activities that needs to be undertaken if there’s a confirm COVID-19 case in the country and phase three covers the activities that needs to be taken in relation to recovery and capacity building if the virus does finds its way into the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the paper understands the operational plan has now been in operation for six weeks since its approval by Cabinet.
“Our focus today is obviously in completing activities required under the preparedness phase which involves the identification of commands, control structures and reporting mechanisms.
“It also includes preparation of plans and standard operating procedures, training for clinical and non-clinical staff including frontline workers at points of entry, ensuring resources are ready and available and monitoring through enhance surveillance activities. All of these things have been happening,” he said.
He then commended the existing trusted partners such as Australia, WHO and UNICEF who have been supporting the ministry since day one as through their past work in strengthening surveillance and emergency responds system have enable the ministry to be proactive in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I would like to thank new partners such as New Zealand and Peoples Republic of China who have also coming on board to provide support in recognition of the scale of potential situation that we will have to confront.
“I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all our development partners for the support they have been providing,” he added.
Mua said so far the operation plan has been carried out successful and the ministry is working on to maintain its ongoing efforts in the days ahead.
By IAN M.KAUKUI