BY ALEX DADAMU
Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) along with relevant responsible authorities are looking at options to protect and support mentally ill patients who are currently roaming streets of Honiara during the upcoming Lockdown exercise.
This was according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Pauline McNeil when speaking during a press conference on Friday.
Mrs. McNeil said there are various options that they are exploring and the health team will come up with options that are best suited for the patients during the lockdown period.
She revealed that protecting and supporting the mentally ill patients was a one of the main issue highlighted from the last lockdown exercise last year.
Meanwhile Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Dr. George Wilson Malefoasi mentioned that they are looking at how best they can use the Correctional Service facility at the NRH.
“We are trying as much as possible not to use police custody or facility hence, we are looking at using the Correctional Service facility and ward at the NRH.
“However, we are yet to reach out to Correctional Service Commissioner on the matter,” Dr. Malefoasi explained.
In the meantime, according to the NRH CEO, Dr. Malefoasi, the public are advised that since lockdown will not permit anyone from moving around in public spaces, If there is a sick person that needs to be moved to the nearest clinic as soon as possible and or for emergency, please contact St John Ambulance on phone 111 or 911. Otherwise call Police Operations Centre on phone 999 and inform them of your need to reach which clinic and use private vehicle.
“Similarly, once stopped by police at check points inform them of your need to reach the clinic,” He advised.
