BY LIONEL TAORAO
Isles Media Freelance Reporter in Ulawa
TWO out of four clinics on Ulawa Island in the Makira Ulawa province are currently not operational as a result of no medical staff.
Giving her concern, Mrs Angela Alahanimae, the Nurse in-charge at Taheramo clinic says that currently, only two clinics are operational on Ulawa Island with only three Nurses working for the whole populace of Ulawa Island.
“At this moment only two clinics are open; namely Tawairamo clinic in ward two and Taheramo clinic in ward one. The other two; Su’u lopo and Hau Pala clinics are still yet closed due to no Nurse, ” Mrs Alahanimae said.
She stressed that this is a very tough situation they are going through as the workload is too much to bear especially at this point when Covid19 also hits Ulawa Island.
“Having only two Nurses working during this time is very tough for us, especially as a mother who also have other responsibilities back home.
“This is very tough for me, especially at Taheramo clinic which is located between Hau Pala and Su’u lopo clinics where now everyone in these two clinics catchment area coming for medical assistance at Taheramo clinic”, she added.
She said that should all the clinics around Ulawa be operational, it will be better because the workload will be lighter as patients will be shared amongst the clinics.
Mrs Alahanimae stated that the Makira Ulawa Provincial health division must consider their concern and immediately send nurses as soon as possible to address the issue of nurse shortage on Ulawa Island.
When asked about the other two clinics nurses’ whereabouts, Mrs Angela says that the nurse for Su’u lopo clinic left before December last year for holidays and is yet to arrive back to resume duty whilst the nurse at Hau Pala clinic also has deserted his post due to the government’s ‘No jab no job’ policy.
Featured Photo Caption: 2021 photo of Taheramo Clinic building. PHOTO: LIONEL TAORAO via Island Sun Newspaper.
