BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THERE is a call for immediate vaccination to be rolled out at Taro Station.
According to the report, community members of Choiseul Province traveling to their provincial capital are concerned as to when Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination will be rolled out as it is now three weeks of waiting.
The medical doctor in charge of avail of the Covid-19 vaccination at Taro is said to be still in the Capital Honiara as concerned Lauru people hope that vaccination takes place as soon as possible so that they can timely go about carrying on with their programs.
Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Katario Ward 13 at Northeast Choiseul Hon Ronald Zakele said not until members of his provincial Ward amongst the people traveling to Taro Station had approached him yesterday over the situation that it had come to much notice.
As the distance to reaching Taro station is very costly for the people of North, East, and South Choiseul, Mr. Zakele said some of the people have not yet returned to their villages in past two weeks as they are still waiting for the vaccination process. Amongst the people are school students under 18 years of age, with the understanding that schools are to start soon within the coming weeks.
The MPA for Katario said within the weeks of waiting, the people have also come to face situations of hunger and water shortage in the provincial capital which is why they call for the medical authority to quickly address this situation.
“What we want to put up here is the fact of shortage of medical Doctors. Choiseul Province does not have a Doctor to avail this vaccine to be used at the moment.
“So my people have come and complained. I want to put this up so that the government, the people of Lauru, and the Solomon Islands see this issue and address it as well.
“It has been three weeks since the medical Doctor has left Taro Station to date, and has not returned to avail the vaccine for the people of Lauru.
“The vaccine is here [at Taro], the salary paid for workers is here but it is the Doctor that is not available.
“From sources, the medical Doctor is soon to return by next week but the sooner the better as time is moving.
“School students of Lauru who will be attending schools at Honiara and other provinces need to get vaccinated here at Taro before traveling out due to Covid-19 restrictions. And, the sooner the better for their timings in traveling on transportations as well because schools will be starting soon.”
The MPA for Katario Ward 13 said he had called on the Chief Nurse at taro Hospital over this issue but the response received was according to their protocol, that they will need the presence of a Doctor.
“They cannot do anything without the presence of a Medical Doctor,” said Zakele.
In further querying to Taro Hospital yesterday before this article was uploaded, the Nurse referred to in charge of looking after vaccination Mr. Luke Rackson said he will seek approval from their Director first before he can disseminate any information.
“I will seek approval from our Director first before I can disseminate any information,” said Rackson.
Sunday Isles is still yet to receive a response following up on this issue.
