Health authorities are calling on parents in Honiara and the provinces to take their children to hospitals and clinics to get treatment against trachoma, a blind causing disease.
Nurses from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and made the call during their visit to communities around Honiara over the past days.
Between 2011 and 2013a survey was conducted which declared Solomon Islands as one of the trachoma endemic countries in the pacific countries.
The survey result showed that, all the provinces have trachoma and the need to begin with treating everyone is important.
They said everyone will get medication during mobile teams’ visit and go to the nearest clinics to take medicines to prevent them getting sick with the disease.
Health authorities said Children from old men and women are eligible to take the medicine. The treatment does not mean everybody has trachoma. It is conducted in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection at home as well as reducing the chances of getting it.
They added people too must help in the efforts to stop the spread of trachoma by getting treatment for prevention.
They added people it is important to know personal hygiene and clean environment plays a crucial role in the elimination of the disease. Without good personal hygiene and poor sanitation, trachoma will not go away as transmission can remain a problem.
Health authorities suggest parents organizing household members to respond to the teams when they arrive at homes or to visit nearest clinic or distribution points to receive the treatment.
By JOY BUAOKA
