A MASS scabies drug administration rollout is currently underway in Honiara and is open for public access at the Honiara City Council (HCC) headquarters.
Mbokonavera clinic staff are administering the drug issuance in front of the HCC Law Enforcement Office as part of the drug rollout in the city’s central zone.
Team Leader and Registered Nurse, Cathy Manetei said the drug rollout coverage will include schools, business houses and the general public as a whole.
“The aim of this drug administration is to eradicate scabies from everyone living in Honiara city. So, in order for everyone to become scabies-free in the country, we must take these medicines.
“We give you the first dose on the spot. You will receive the second dose after seven days.
“This means if you drink the scabies drug for example on Tuesday, you will have your second dose the next Tuesday,” she explained.
Ms Manetei said scabies are currently present throughout the whole country and are one of the neglected tropical diseases.
“So, in order to eradicate scabies, everyone must take the drug for prevention purposes – to avoid scabies being transmitted from infected people to others who are not infected,” she said.
The drugs come in tablets for children who of three years of age up to adults, while the cream dose is for pregnant mothers and children who are two years of age and below.
“I call on Honiara residents, especially people who live in crowded places and places with poor access to quality water where scabies and other diseases can easily spread,” Ms Manetei said.
Ms Manetei thanked the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through Live & Learn Solomon Islands for sponsoring these scabies drugs in support of the mass drug administration rollout.
“We are happy to see DFAT through the NGO, Live & Learn Solomon Islands for sponsoring these drugs since HCC clinics have run out of scabies drugs.”
She added that after this mass scabies drug administration rollout, there will be no scabies drugs available in clinics and on that note urged everyone in Honiara to go forward to receive treatment.
Ms Manetei said children are the most vulnerable to scabies and therefore encouraged parents and caregivers to ensure their children are treated, adding that these scabies medicines are safe.
The mass scabies drug administration rollout commenced on August 5 and will continue until August 30.
The mass scabies drug administration rollout is underway for Honiara and Guadalcanal Province. Isabel and Western Provinces have been completed.
Ms Manetei said, anyone from Isabel and Western Provinces who have already taken their medication are advised not to take the drug while in Honiara.
Story and photos by RAYMOND HULANGA
Solomon Star, Honiara
A nurse administering the scabies drug rollout
People queuing to receive scabies drug in front of the Honiara City Council headquarters
People lining up to be issued their scabies doses
Mbokonavera Clinic nurses administering the scabies drug rollout
