Sikaiana atoll residents plead for help as influenza outbreak affects more than half population
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
People on Sikaiana are calling for a nurse to be sent over as a viral outbreak ravages the Malaita outer islands atoll.
More than half of the 300-plus inhabitants are reportedly sick from the influenza outbreak.
Authorities say the earliest a nurse could be sent over will be the last week of this month.
“But this depends on how fast a nurse who is willing to be posted in Sikaiana is found and processes met before being deployed,” Malaita Finance Minister and MPA for Sikaiana, Lemuel Kevianga told Island Sun yesterday.
Mr Kevianga said this matter is now one of the priorities of the Malaita provincial health.
“I already talked with Minister of Health for Malaita. New posting of nurse for Sikaiana will be sorted later this month,” Kevianga said.
“So, a nurse could be sent either last week January or first week February.”
During the New Year festivities more and more people on Sikaiana succumbed to a flu which reportedly was brought over by those returning home from Honiara onboard a ship before Christmas.
Local priest Fr Philip Teleilua sounded the alarm posting on social media the dire need for a nurse on Sikaiana on Friday last week.
“[Any nurse for us in Sikaiana? Sikaiana really needs a nurse. Sickness is knocking from house to house. Have mercy on us Solomon Islands. We are also Solomons citizens too],” Teleilua’s facebook post said.
Speaking to Island Sun from Sikaiana, Teleilua said nearly three quarters of the island’s population have fallen ill.
“[The sickness is highly contagious and symptoms include very high temperature, severe head and eye pain, dizziness, diarrhoea, high fever, persistent dry coughing and vomiting],” Teleilua said.
“Men, women and children all struck down the same.”
He said they have been surviving by applying simple home remedies such as steaming, drinking warm water, while some who have their private supply of Panadol share it when needed.
“[We are surviving by the Grace of God as we continue praying for healing, and so far a few have recovered with no death reported],” Teleilua said.
It is understood the last nurse on Sikaiana left before October last year after being reportedly involved in a drunken brawl during celebrations of Malaita Day on August 15.
