“We have a social responsibility and a moral obligation to help others.”
I was reminded today of the words quoted in the title to this piece when I read two separate stories in the Island Sun newspaper, and both relate to people in the Solomon Islands taking it upon themselves the moral obligation to prevent the intrusion and spread of coronavirus.
I will quote both stories.
As of Wednesday this week, a total of 15,613 people have taken their vaccine since the roll-out of covid-19 vaccination program in Malaita province.
An achievement for the provincial health however, the sad thing was the figure only represents 17 percent of the target population of 89,666 for the province.
The person in-charge of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital, Malaita province, Nixon Olofisau told Sun Auki yesterday.
He said since the launch of the program on 23rd August in Auki, provincial roll-out has begun early September for central and northern regions of the province.
And as of yesterday, the 28 days vaccination roll-out for the two regions had completed and will review for the next roll-out.
Mr. Olofisau said now the focus is on southern and eastern regions of the province and they’re into the second week of their community vaccination roll-out.
He said reasons for delaying roll-out for the two regions were due to shortage of logistic and to learn from the roll-out in the first two regions.
Mr.Olofisau said so far positive report continued to be received from southern and eastern regions as vaccination teams are on the ground.
He said the vaccination rate was well below the expected trend and provincial health is working tirelessly on putting in inputs into the program to pick up the rate.
Mr.Olofisau said the main reason for the dull coverage so far was due to hesitancy and opposition to the vaccine and it still remain at large among people in the province.
He said even though a lot of break-through has been made, the provincial health is concern about addressing the challenges to make sure people in the province gets vaccinated.
One of the country’s state-owned enterprises, Solomon Water, has chipped in to support the national vaccination campaign.
It is giving a three-month discount period for customers who are vaccinated.
In support of Government and the Chamber of Commerce initiatives to get many more people vaccinated, Solomon Water has announced a five percent discount on all domestic water and waste water account payments beginning from October 1 until December 31 this year, Solomon Water said in a media statement yesterday.
All postpaid and cashwater customers who received their first Covid shot or are fully vaccinated are eligible for the discount if they show their vaccination card when they pay their bills at any Solomon Water cashier outlets or electronically (electronic payers are to present their vaccination cards subsequently to Solomon Water’s Customer Care team). Customers are advised that the discount is one time only and applies to those who have had one or two vaccinations.
The 5% discount is in addition to other smaller prizes such as branded drinking bottles, bags, umbrellas, pens and USB drives that Solomon Water is contributing to the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign.
The campaign is to encourage and drive vaccination amongst all Solomon islanders as Solomon Islands continues its fight against COVID-19.
The “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign will reward anyone who received their first jab or has been fully vaccinated with prizes to be drawn in coming months.
CEO Ian Gooden says Solomon Water is happy to support SICCI and government in this important campaign to protect Solomon Islanders against the coronavirus.
“We are participating in this campaign by donating some small prizes, but more importantly we are offering all customers who come to pay their water accounts a 5% discount if they show their vaccination card.
“Solomon Water has over 14,000 customers and this campaign is to encourage customers to get vaccinated and also to reward them by saving themselves some money.”
Comments
I thank the 15,613 people of Malaita in getting their vaccinations and hope many more in the province will do the same during the next phase of the vaccination role out.
I thank, too, Solomon Water in supporting the governments vaccination programme by providing incentives to customers in generous ways.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
