BY JOHN HOUANIAHU
THE AUSTRALIAN Government is in constant communication with the Solomon Islands Government about further support for the national response to COVID-19 in the Country.
As the largest bilateral donor and health partner, Australia has been assisting the Solomon Islands in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak through supporting the vaccine rollout, as well as the current response plan to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A statement from the Australian High commissioner in Honiara said in consultation with SIG, Australia is seeking to provide assistance to as many provinces in Solomon Islands as possible.
This includes emergency medical supplies, humanitarian aid, technical health, logistics assistance, food aid, fuel supplies, funding for commercial supply chain assistance, and the deployment of an Australian Medical Assistance Team and Australian Defence Force assets.
When responding to Sunday Isles query, the Australian High Comm. Office in Honiara stated that to date Australia deployed two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan cargo aircraft to Solomon Islands to deliver medical and other essential supplies to provinces experiencing a surge in COVID-19.
The C-27J has already transported vital medical supplies and equipment to Malaita and Western Provinces while the deployments to other locations are being discussed with the SIG.
In a statement His Excellency, Lachlan Strahan said the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) has been supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to conduct rapid assessments of provincial health systems.
In addition to its work at the National Referral Hospital¸ Central Field Hospital and National Medical Stores, AUSMAT has visited hospitals in Malaita, Guadalcanal and Western Provinces during their visit in the country.
In response to commercial supply chain disruptions, Lachlan said Australia has partnered with the private sector to fund the transportation of stock, such as rice and fuel, to commercial suppliers located in the provinces.
This assistance has meant supplies are available for purchase by the public according to AHC statement.
To date, Australia has supported the following sea transportation: – MV FORD to Choiseul Province carrying 10 tonnes of rice, RSIPF Maritime Division to Central Province transporting medical supplies (including oxygen concentrators), and MV Torres Star to the provinces.
