BY MIKE TUA
THE hospital ship USNS Mercy will probably take on board its first medical cases today, there will be more than 100 medical procedures that have been aligned to be done on-board Mercy for the next 10 days, said the Acting Medical Superintendent and Head of Paediatrics Ward at the National Referral Hospital, Dr. Titus Nasi on Tuesday.
“The screening has been done and the first cases might go on board today.
“I know that there are more than 100 medical procedures that have been aligned to be done on-board but then like I said, it’s for the next 10 days – we are working through the cases with the surgical and medical teams at the hospital,” he said at the press conference held at the U.S Consulate Office in Honiara.
Dr. Titus Nasi said the first screening of patients to go onboard Mercy as part of the Pacific Partnership Programme has already been conducted by the joint visiting and local medical teams at the National Referral Hospital.
“Only patients screened will be allowed for treatment on board the ship,” he said.
Asked about the process for the public who want to get services on board the naval hospital ship, Dr. Titus Nasi said there are no checks for the public as I understand being organized at the hospital or with the hospital in terms of those who want some kind of underlined illnesses to get reviews.
“However, there is a possibility for the public to go through the Honiara City Clinics, there are doctors there to review them and if they think they need to be seen by a specialist, they can come to the National Referral Hospital.
“They can come through the emergency department – general outpatient, and if those who know their doctors and which departments or disciplines they have managed, they can call them or have contact with them.
“For example, those with hypertension, diabetes – mainly the adults can go through the diabetic clinic – get seen by the nurses to check them and to see how they are to get referred for review or be seen by the hospital – depending on the decisions between the two teams if they must go on-board the ship but it’s not open for everyone to go on-board at the moment,” he explained.
Sunday Isles understands that for operations and treatment on board the hospital ship USNS Mercy, there have been patients admitted to National Referral Hospital that have been identified and have been scheduled for specialized medical treatment and procedures on board the vessel.
