Health Ministry Outraged with Attack on Health Workers

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it is deeply and utterly disappointed at several incidents of rock throwing at NRH vehicles and workers including illegal roadblocks in Honiara during the lockdown period.

The following incidents were recorded over the lockdown period;

1) Sunday night a health land cruiser was stoned at stone field, Kaibia heights.
2) Sunday night another health land cruiser was stoned at Lungga area.
3) Sunday night a land cruiser was blocked at April valley, Panatina.
4) At an unspecified time during the lockdown a bus used to support NRH operations sustained two broken windows at No.3 area.
5) During the lockdown period a St. John Ambulance had to turn back from an actual emergency run around Feraladoa area due to road block.

The Health Ministry says drivers and health workers narrowly escaped injuries from these incidents. They say that aside from the cost of repairs, nurses and health workers were left traumatized by the incident.

“What you are doing is putting lives at risk not only of the sick who urgently needed to come to NRH and inpatients but also the hospital medical workers, the very people who have unselfishly made significant sacrifices to their families for your health and lives and that of your families, friends and the country.

“Both medical and public health workers around the world, continue to be applauded, glorified and saluted immensely for their sacrifices, commitment and dedication towards their profession, more especially during these pandemic times and even during lockdowns.

“Yet, here in Honiara we witnessed a small minority of ungrateful and disgruntled citizens who seem to have some issues with NRH workers or probably NRH vehicles, which if true is plainly insane, and decided to lodge an attack from the dark.

“There is no common sense in all these. Some of the runs made that night were to drop off NRH nurses who may have cared for your family and friend throughout the day effortlessly, these workers could have also been your mother or father, family member or friend or work colleague,” the Health Ministry said in a prepared statement.