It is has been claimed the Government is not keeping track of the country’s persons with disability community in its vaccination drive.
This concern was raised during a four-day workshop in Honiara (from June 1-4) by participants living with disability.
Lack of available government data is another worrying factor.
The ministry of health and medical services (MHMS), which looks after people with disability (PWD) through its community-based rehabilitation (CBR) division, has not responded when sought for comments since last week via MHMS Media.
Mr. Ogaoga, chairman to the MHMS Covid-19 technical working group (TWG), was unsure when asked during the workshop how many people with disability had been vaccinated since government began its vaccination roll-out in March this year.
A MHMS staff member attending the workshop was also unable to provide an answer.
Workers and members of the People With Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), the umbrella organisation for the country’s PWD community, are yet to be vaccinated. The same with other affiliated groups. This was revealed during the workshop.
This was in spite of government’s vaccination roll-out having run since March 24 this year, three months on.
Mr. Ogaoga, presenting in the last day of the workshop (Friday, June 4) reassured the PWD participants that a day could be set aside the following week for them to get vaccinated at the central field hospital.
Mr. Ogaoga urged the PWDSI team to invite other PWD who were not at the workshop and are eligible.
Ms Naomi Tai, administration officer of PWDSI, speaking to the paper yesterday, confirmed there has been no vaccination for them since.
His Excellency the Governor General Sir David Vunagi GCMG in his New Year’s National Address said persons with disability are “often forgotten”.
Source: Island Sun newspaper
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
