12 May 2022
I have long advocated for the SIG and MHMS to seek the aid of one or more of the medical and dental service ships in our region that sail to remote regions of our Pacific neighbours to carry out health check-ups, medical services, including surgery and provide dental treatment for community members.
One such ship is the YWAM KOHA that sails from New Zealand and is set to set sail to serve the Northern District of Fiji from August 6 through to October 15 this year.
Specifically the medical ship will focus on the isolated northeast part of Vanua Levu where outreaches will be conducted there and nearby.
The isolated Northern District has been hit hard by the consequences of COVID19. For the last two years, the pandemic has drained the limited resources of the Fijian Ministry of Health. Health services were put on hold creating a backlog of needs–making the timing of the YWAM KHOA vessel’s deployment very significant.
'The impact of the vessel continues to grow. To date, the ship's clinic has treated over 1,000 patients. This equates to more than $500,000 of dental services delivered at no cost to the patients. We are extremely grateful for the lives that have been touched by the clinic and for those who have partnered with us. Urgent dental needs are in every community. Working together we are bringing hope and practical aid to our neighbours."
Source YWAM KHOA press release.
Comment.
I really wish the SI/MHMS would seriously consider entering into a MoU to see the medical assistance vessels of Sea Mercy and YWAM KHOA to sail to the remote regions of the Solomon Islands and provide medical and dental services which I am sure are much needed by the communities residing in those isolated parts of the country.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
