CT SCAN TO BE COMMISSIONED NEXT YEAR: PM

September 14, 2020 Fobo Graphics Leave a comment

Press release – PM Press secretariate SI

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has informed that the progress in purchasing our own CT scan is progressing well.
Prime Minister Sogavare in his nation-wide speech today said the CT scan design and building project is now 9 months into its 14 months schedule program.

The Prime Minister said the building and infrastructure for the installment of the CT scan facility has progressed.

“The Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are now in the process of procuring the equipment as other major accessories for the CT scan has already been tendered,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the CT scan is expected to be commissioned in March next year.

He said it is expected to provide significant improvement in the diagnosis of many diseases that are not currently detected including supporting diagnosis of COVID-19.

ENDS//

Photo: Global Computed Tomography Market

News

S.I. PHILIPPINES STUDENTS PARENTS COMMITTEE MEETING SET FOR TODAY.

September 14, 2020 Fobo Graphics Leave a comment

After the nationwide address made by prime minister Mr. Sogavare yesterday, confirming six Solomon Islands students tested positive for COVID 19.

The Chairman, Secretary & Committee members of Philippines students parents committee appealed to parents/guardians in Honiara, Solomon Islands. That an important meeting will convene at 4pm this afternoon.

“There will be a meeting for all of us to meet and update us of the news received yesterday and the venue is to be confirmed later.” Posted Mr. Rex Maehia on YTTF facebook page.

This meeting is to put together first hand information collected from students and to assist the government to safely repatriate them back into the country.

Fobo media understands that, there was a submission made on April to the government, to quickly repatriate the students back before the situation gets worse, but unfortunately it was delayed.

Mr. Rex Maehui further stressed that, “what we feared has now happened and I know this number of positive cases will increase, after all 400 + students are tested.” Despite this, let us assist the government to return our children safely to us.

The outcome of the meeting will be made available sometimes this evening.

//End//

Local

Solomon Islands Students in Philippines Under Red Cross Care

September 14, 2020 Fobo Graphics Leave a comment

The Red Cross Society will be looking out for Solomon Islands students, studying in the Philippines.

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. Jimmie Rodgers says the Red Cross Society has been asked to assist the Solomon Islands government because currently the government has no representative in the Philippines.

This arrangement comes as six Solomon Islands nationals were tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines.

“The Red Cross has agreed to test all of our students and the Ministry of Health has communicated with them to try and go beyond the testing. We need to have people out there who we can rely on to look after our students”, Rodgers said in the weekly radio talkback show.

Currently 401 Solomon Islands nationals are awaiting repatriation flights from the Philippines. Most of them are students. A student studying in one of the institutions says it was a very sad day for them when six of their colleagues tested positive for the coronavirus.

The six confirmed cases are from the first batch of students undergoing COVID-19 tests. Another batch of students will soon undergo COVID-19 tests. These are all part of the government’s pre-departure measures to make sure Solomon Islands remain COVID-19 free.

Since a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March, Solomon Islands is still one of the few countries in the world without a confirmed case of COVID 19. The Philippines recorded its first three confirmed cases in January and February.

Rodgers said the government was under pressure that time to send its students for education purposes in February. He said since then they were not able to repatriate the students earlier for three reasons.

“Firstly we relied on the institutions in all the countries including Fiji and Papua New Guinea to give us advice whether we should repatriate or keep them there. The advice from the Filipino institutions is to keep them there and we can provide additional resources for them to stay there.

“Secondly the Philippines went into lockdown with no flights going in, like for example in the Pacific like Kiribati. So, it is very difficult for us to send in repatriation flights.

“And the third of course is it takes time to get permission to schedule flights”, Rodgers said.

The six Solomon Islands students are currently in quarantine for the next 14 days. They are reportedly without signs and symptoms of COVID-19. They will undergo more tests after quarantine. Red Cross Society will be carrying out COVID-19 tests on Solomon Islands nationals in the Philippines.