National Director of Nursing Courtesy visit to Rennell Bellona Premier and successful meeting with Renbel Health Team.
Representing the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), National Director of Nursing (NDoN), Mr Michael Larui paid a courtesy visit to the Premier of Rennell and Bellona province,
Honourable Willie Tuhangega after participating at the launching of COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Tingoa, Rennell Island.
In the brief meeting also attended by Rennell Bellona Province Health Director, Mr George Pego, Mr Larui expressed acknowledgements towards the ongoing support of the provincial government towards the COVID-19 vaccine launch and planned provincial roll out in the province.
Particular thanks was conveyed to honourable premier and his wife for being amongst the first to be vaccinated soon after the launch. “Premier you willingness together with your wife to be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccines will greatly build confidence around the vaccines as health is continuing its effort to address fears and anxiety around the vaccines. Thank you indeed”,
“Honourable premier, the nation- wide roll out of COVID-19 vaccines remains a top priority of the government through the Ministry of Health and thus we have deployed as much as possible resources, in terms of man power, medical equipment and logistics some of which are yet to arrive. Nevertheless, we remain committed to your province and will work to ensure that everyone gets the chance to be vaccinated against COVID-19”, said Mr Larui.
Mr Larui also informed the premier of his visit which was not only to participate in the vaccine launch program but also utilize the opportunity to visit the facilities to find out about the situation of the provincial health services.
“While COVID-19 presents us with challenges, there are also opportunities that we can also take advantage of and one is strengthening our health systems through support received for COVID-19. Therefore I am also here to visit some of the health facilities, including our health team to discuss and better understand the issues on the ground for necessary and relevant interventions by the Ministry”, added Mr Larui.
The Hon Premier in response thanked the government for the continuous support to Rennell Bellona Province. “It is common knowledge that ministries’ with non-devolved functions are usually left out to manage their resources. Hon, Premier said that his administration is not going down that path instead will work together with the provincial health leadership and MHMS.
The premier also informed of his government’s support towards in purchasing cartons of soap to be distributed to all health centres for hand washing.
The premier also outlined other non – COVID related support that his government will be rendering to health. “Under the Provincial Government Strengthening Programme (PGSP) we will fund two staff houses for the health department in Tingoa. Work on Lavangu newly built health centre in eastern Rennell continues under PGSP. Currently, the province recruits and pays the salary of Tingoa AHC cleaner. The province is committed to do maintenance and repair work of Tingoa AHC facility as well. With Nuku RHC in Bellona, discussions will be held with landowners for a possible acquisition of the land to be registered. This will address ownership for the centre to operate freely without interference”, outlined the Premier”.
The NDoN later paid a visit to the Renbel health team where he expressed huge thanks to the provincial health team under the leadership of the Provincial Health Director Mr. Pego for work on provincial COVID-19 preparedness and response at the same time ensuring usual health services continues.
“It is observed that the response that is coming from the public is good. Messages are very well explained and accepted by the people and for this I wish to applaud all of you for the great work. However we also have the obligation to ensure normal health services continues as much as possible without any disruption. For that I thank you all for your efforts in this regard.”, said Mr. Michael.
-MHMS Press