SOLMAT to assist Vanuatu health-workers following recent quake

By Alfred Pagepitu

The Solomon Islands Emergency Medical Team (SOLMAT) are preparing for their deployment to Vanuatu tomorrow, to assist Vanuatu’s medical health workers following the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake which struck off- the coast of Port Vila on Tuesday.

Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon.  Dr. Paul Bosawai announced this in Parliament when contributing to the motion of Sine-Die yesterday.

“This Saturday (tomorrow), a number of medical teams from the Solomon Islands will depart and be deployed to assist their medical colleagues in Vanuatu.”

“If there is no flight, we are looking into the options of using the patrol boat, and because of this, I’m preparing a cabinet paper either today or tomorrow seeking cabinet’s endorsement for this deployment through the Ministry’s SOLMAT team,” Dr. Bosawai stated.

Dr. Bosawai also acknowledged his ministry and the health workers who are on standby for deployment, helping the people in Vanuatu.

“These are our wantoks, our neighboring friends and families who are in distress following the earthquake that struck their homes.”

“I hope that on the other side of the bench, the opposition group and the independents will also support me in this humanitarian assistance on behalf of our people in Vanuatu and some of our Solomon Islanders who reside there,” said Dr. Bosawai.

Minister  Bosawai also joined the Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele and other Members of Parliament to convey their sympathy to the people of Vanuatu following the loss of lives and the destruction of properties caused by the quake.

ENDS//