Ministry of Health
Solomon Islands

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Salient Events Actions taken by Min. of Health, Solomon Islands Measures put in Placed Rumours Recorded. Date No. of cases/
Suspected in
63 days after the first case reported in China
 14th April 03: 
Ministry of Health (SI): MOH SARS Task Force Held Meetings No. 3: 
  • Solomon Airlines requested again to implement the Advisory Flyers immediately. The Flyers were handed out in the plane and first to be activated on the IE 701 Flight dated... 
  • National Referral Hospital indentified 2 possible sites for the SARS Isolation Ward.
  • Hospital Protocol to be completed. 
  • Ministry of Health consulted Solomon Telekom for a dedicated SARS dedicated help-line on the 8th April 03.
  • Health Education and Promotion Unit to educate the public on SARS through the radio health program. 
  • Media to be kept on update and accurate information.
  • Guidelines to be distributed to all shipping and travel agents.
  • Solomon Airlines to be disinfected according to the WHO standards. MOH to provide technical assistance the Airline. 
 14th April 03: 
  • Advisory Flyer distributed and collected. 
  • Data obtained from the Advisory Flyer analyzed.
  • IATA re-enforced strict screening during check-ins in all international airports. 
 Rumour 1 (dated 28/04/03): 
A local person (SI) returned from Hong Kong n the past 2 weeks and contracted the disease. Investigation carried out. Advisory flyer data recorded no person (neither a local nor a foreigner) arriving directly from Hong Kong in the past three weeks.

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Regular communication link with WHO Epidemiologists through Pacific Public Health Network Surveillance based in New Caledonia/SPC
 20th March 03: 
Ministry of Health (SI): 1st consultative Meeting was held by the MOH Taskforce with all key stakeholders: Present were senior officers from Customs, Quarantine, Civil Aviation, Solomon Airlines, and NRH. 

1. Presentation on SARS 
    by Mr. Andrew Darcy 
2. Public Health Overview
    by Dr George Malefoasi -
    Interim Guide Document
    on SARS 
3. Discussion on issues 
   and action steps:- 
   i. Need of a Public 
       Awareness 
   ii. Information Guide or
       Protocol for Airport
       Staff/ Airline Staff/
       Hospital Staff &  
       Management 

 1. Advisory Flyer developed
    by  the MOH SARS
    Taskforce for incoming
    passengers. 
2. Consultative Meeting NRH
    Management: Establishment
    of an Isolation Ward (held) 
3. Establishment of necessary
    isolation Kit by Pharmacy
    Division 
4. Travel Advice: No restriction 		  

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New cases reported in other countries: WHO revised the travel advice on 27th March 4th April 2003: 
Ministry of Health (SI): 2nd SARS Meeting was held by the MOH Taskforce with all key stakeholders: 

1. Advisory Flyer printed and
    ready for distributed and
    implemented. 
2. WHO SARS Kit for SI yet
     to arrive: Interim Measure:
    National Medical Store to
    do a list of 2 kits to cater
    for 4 cases x10 days x 5
    health workers=200
    working days. 
3. Hospital (NRH) +Taskforce
    (a) to finalize space and
    infection control and strict
    nursing barrier (b) protocol
    to be developed for
    management of cases and
    contact tracing. 
4. Environmental Health
    Division + Taskforce to
    develop: 
    i] Registry for incoming 
    passengers (link with the
   advisory flyer) 
   ii] Protocol for disease
   surveillance and
   management of suspected
   cases at home. 
5.MoH to liase with Solomon
   Telekom for a free toll line
   to the SARS Management
   center at the NRH [a need
   for a database is noted]. 5.MoH to liase with Solomon
   Telekom for a free toll line
   to the SARS Management
   center at the NRH. 
6. Travel Advice 07April 03:  
   1.Outgoing(returning)
   Travellers-
   i.Restrict non-essential 
   travelling to HongKong
   and Guangdong,
   ii. Travellers and their 
   sponsors must have a
   medical cover. Incoming
   passengers-no
   authorization of travellers
   with contacts or suspected
   cases. 

 1. Advisory Flyer printed & ready
    for use 
2. WHO to provide SARS Kits 
3. All health staff at seaports
    (environmental-quarantine)
    contacted informed and
    supplied with information.		  

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  11th April 2003: 
Revision of Interim Guide Document in progress  		National Referral Hospital: 
i. Hospital Protocol in draft 
ii. Isolation Ward -identified-Private Ward. 
iii. Specialist Team Mobilized: Nurses & Physicians will be responsible + Infection Control staff + Laboratory technician and radiograph staff. 
iv. Equipping of the SARS Isolation Ward to follow soon. 
v. Solomon Telekom requested for Free Toll Line (no response still). 		  

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The Ministry of Health SARS Taskforce is happy to provide further information or assistance to you. 
Please contact myself on 
Phone 24097 or mobile 72455  
email: Malefoasi@solomon.com.sb 
 Dr. Dennie Iniakwala on Phone 23404 or email: dennie@solomon.com.sb

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