An integrated (COVID-19 and non COVID-19 related) mission to Malaita Outer Islands (MOI), comprising of officers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Justice and Legal Affairs and the Solomon Islands Police Force is now underway.
This may be the first of its kind and surely will not be the last. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted, government finance and consequently ministerial operational and development budgets for 2021. This has led both ministries and agency to think differently than business as usual with an integrated deployment plan to MOI that is now in operation.
“With the weeklong deployment, the national team which comprised of doctors, nurses, health promotion, pharmacists and data officers will be supporting Malaita provincial health team to roll out COVID-19 vaccine awareness and administration for all persons 18 years and above in MOI”, said Health Permanent Secretary Mrs, Pauline McNeil.
She explained that this is part of the overall roll out plan of the COVID-19 vaccine for all western borderline communities, which includes MOI.
On the other hand, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Dr Paul Mae said that the team deployed will be holding a court circuit to address a number of pending legal matters in MOI.
“It’s been quite a while since we last held a court Circuit in the Malaita Outer Islands so the deployment is crucial to ensure that justice services is not only brought down to our people in the rural and remote areas but remain continous," Dr Paul said.
Auki based officers from the Public Solicitors Office and the Director of Public Prosecutions will be joining the team to MOI.
Chief Magistrate Emma Garo is amongst the team deployed to oversee the administration of the court circuit.
With the teams deployed on board one of the patrol boats, Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is pleased to be part of the team deployed providing security and logistical services.
The deployment was made possible through shared financial resources by all three ministries and agency.
Source: MHMS Media Release