SOLOMON Islands Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has hailed the Australian Government for its contribution of $50 million towards the nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for scabies rollout this year.
MHMS Permanent Secretary (PS) Pauline McNeil expressed gratitude to the country’s traditional partner for the massive support at the launch of the 2024 scabies nationwide rollout out.
The event was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Honiara on Tuesday.
She said the scabies drug administration in Solomon Islands commenced in 2011 but stopped.
In recommenced in 2015 but stopped again. In 2019, it got off to a good start.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Honiara 2021 Riot negatively impacted the rollout exercise.
In 2023, Mrs McNeil said the rollout restarted once again.
“In 2023, Solomon Islands was the first country in the world to complete a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for scabies,” she said.
The successful rollout was delivered by the National Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Department under MHMS.
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite medically referred to as Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis.
Because of this successful rollout, the Australian Government stepped in to provide funds to towards the exercise, the MHMS PS told the launching event audience.
She then encouraged Solomon Islanders to get themselves treated and immune from this tropical disease.
“It’s possible some of you have scabies without knowing it,” PS McNeil said.
PS McNeil further appealed to community leaders and elders to allow nurses and health workers to visit their communities to administer the drug to villagers.
She hailed nurses who endure long distance and bad weather to visit the rural communities to carry out the exercise.
PS McNeil said the program has stepped up and progressed immensely despite the challenges MHMS faced in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Honiara 2021 Riot.
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), Lia Tanabose said there are children experiencing pain and suffering from scabies.
“Because of this, they are unable to attend schools.”
Ms Tanabose said it is important that MDA makes progress for the good of all Solomon Islanders.
She assured the country that WHO is committed to provide technical support towards the rollout of scabies in Solomon Islands.
Ms Tanabose congratulated MHMS for achieving a good outcome during the 2023 rollout.
Following the launch, awareness and registration will be carried out in all communities nation-wide before the drugs are administered to those who require it.
By MOFFAT MAMU
