By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Access to health facilities, such as dental services, is an issue for communities in the southern region of Malaita Province, especially for children and the elderly.
Health issues were brought to the attention of health authorities after a dental team from Kilu’ufi Hospital reached out to the region for dental services in September.
Acting Chief Dental Officer who led the team, Stewart Kaimauri said that oral health knowledge is also a problem.
He said many people have not had the opportunity to learn important health information, such as how to treat a sick patient, which is something they should know.
He stressed that the remoteness of their communities might be a root cause.
“Many people do not know the oral health knowledge they should have.
“Some people might be aware, but they are lazy to apply it,” he said.
He added that such remote areas should be equipped with good health facilities and qualified medical personnel.
Meanwhile, Kaimauri calls on the government, especially the Ministry responsible, to work closely with them and focus on reaching out to such areas to serve them.
He mentioned that their outreach programme mainly targets children because they are the future generations.
“Children are those who need to be targeted to have good health because they are the future generations,” he said.
He also urges the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to come up with plans to establish health stations in such areas.
“At a larger level, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services must have plans to build stations in those areas.
“And for Malaita Province, at least one station should be built at Malu’u in the north, Atoifi in the eastern region, and Afio in the southern region,” he said.
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