The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has welcomed dengue fever specialists from Australia and New Zealand who have arrived in the country to assist local authorities in efforts to fight the current dengue fever outbreak in the country.
The arrival of the 10-member team comprising doctors, nurses and dengue experts last week came following a formal request by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
Health's Permanent Secretary, Dr Lester Ross said the assistance will be very useful in the battle against the disease which medical authorities have already recorded more than 2000 cases.
“The deployment will help solve the problems of human resource shortage and technical people we are lacking and also will help strengthen the ministry’s response and ability to manage the dengue outbreak,” Dr Ross said.
The team will assist in the emergency department, dengue clinics and provide other support to re-opening out patients’ clinics, elective surgery, ward areas used by dengue patients and re-tasking staff to their normal duties.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Mr. Matt Anderson said his government is happy and honored to assist following a request from the Solomon Islands Government.
“Solomon Islands is a friend and therefore the deployment is nothing but to support Solomon Islands fight against the dengue outbreak,” he said.
New Zealand’s Development Counsellor Sarah Wong said the NZ government is glad to come and assist Solomon Islands.
She highlighted that it is better to demonstrate action and collaboration to work together in the effort to fight the dengue outbreak.
The medical team is expected to spend a month in the country and will travel to the provinces when required.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit