Solomon Islands Medical Assistance Team and WHO rapidly deploy to support Temotu Province’s COVID-19 outbreak response

8 January 2023

The Solomon Islands faced their first community transmission of COVID-19 in 2022, but Temotu remained the only province to be COVID-19 free in the country. However, in early November 2022, Temotu Province experienced their first locally transmitted case and community transmission of COVID-19. At the peak of the outbreak, Temotu Province saw over 180 daily cases.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) immediately went into action to address the COVID-19 outbreak in Temotu Province. One of the rapid actions the Ministry undertook, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), was deploying the Solomon Islands Medical Assistance Team (SOLMAT) to help augment the health workforce capacities in the province that was stretched with the response.

SOLMAT, the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) in the Solomon Islands that were trained and supported by WHO, are composed of doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, pharmacists, environmental officers, risk communication specialists, and information and communications technology (ICT) officers. SOLMAT members have been trained to be self-sufficient and rapidly deploy in the event of a health emergency.

The team successfully assisted Temotu Province to contain the outbreak, as well as to mobilize resources, evaluate the surveillance system, assess gaps in 16 health facilities, build staff capacity, deliver risk communication, and catch-up on COVID-19 vaccination in 13 remote villages.

Scroll through the photos below to see how SOLMAT and WHO, with funding from the European Union and the Government of the United States, supported response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Temotu Province. All photos are by WHO/Esther Nuria.

WHO is grateful to the contributions of the European Union and the United States Government, which made SOLMAT and WHO’s rapid COVID-19 deployment to the Temotu Province possible.

WHO/Esther Nuria
The first group of SOLMAT members deploys to Temotu Province from 13 to 27 November 2022, led by Team Leader Father Selwyn Hou (front row, second from right in blue).
© Credits

First deployment of SOLMAT members and WHO

The first group of SOLMAT members deploys to Temotu Province from 13 to 27 November 2022, led by Team Leader Father Selwyn Hou (front row, second from right in blue). With them is WHO epidemiologist Jozica Skufca, deployed to support surveillance in the province.

This deployment was supported by the United States Government. 

 

WHO/Esther Nuria
Temotu Provincial Government Permanent Secretary Alan Agassi (second from left) and Provincial Health Director Dr Paul Kekou (third from right) receive emergency supplies from Jozica Skufca (third from left) on behalf of the WHO.
© Credits

Emergency supplies delivery

Temotu Provincial Government Permanent Secretary Alan Agassi (second from left) and Provincial Health Director Dr Paul Kekou (third from right) receive emergency supplies from Jozica Skufca (third from left) on behalf of the WHO. Supplies were delivered onboard an Australian Defence Force C-27 aircraft and by Australian High Commission staff from the capital in Honiara to Temotu’s provincial capital of Lata.

 

WHO/Esther Nuria
SOLMAT and WHO members onboard a boat to support response to the outbreak in Temotu Province.
© Credits

SOLMAT and WHO visit remote islands

SOLMAT and WHO members onboard a boat to support response to the outbreak in Temotu Province. The team visited remote islands and delivered supplies, conducted risk communication activities, rapid antigen testing (RAT) among community and collected information or recorded data in places where they had RAT tests prior to arrival. During the response activities, SOLMAT and WHO also conducted the first rapid evaluation of the surveillance system and health facilities needs assessment of all 16 health facilities in all 5 zones of Temotu Province.

 

WHO/Esther Nuria
WHO epidemiologist Jozica Skufca interviews health staff during the health facilities needs assessment and surveillance system evaluation at one of the 16 health facilities in Temotu Province.
© Credits

Supporting health facilities assessment and surveillance

WHO epidemiologist Jozica Skufca interviews health staff during the health facilities needs assessment and surveillance system evaluation at one of the 16 health facilities in Temotu Province.

WHO/Esther Nuria
The second batch of SOLMAT members are ready to board their flight at the Honiara domestic airport, deploying to Temotu Province from 27 November to 10 December 2022.
© Credits

Second deployment of SOLMAT members and WHO

The second batch of SOLMAT members are ready to board their flight at the Honiara domestic airport, deploying to Temotu Province from 27 November to 10 December 2022. This second deployment to Temotu Province was supported by the European Union.

WHO/Esther Nuria
WHO Epidemiologist and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Officer Dr Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey (left) and Lata Hospital Supervising Director Dr Paul Kekou during the handover of medical supplies, PPEs and ICT items for use at the hospital.
© Credits

Handover of equipment and supplies to Lata Hospital

WHO Epidemiologist and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Officer Dr Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey (left) and Lata Hospital Supervising Director Dr Paul Kekou during the handover of medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and ICT items for use at the hospital.

The equipment and supplies were procured by WHO with support from the European Union.

WHO/Esther Nuria
Members of Temotu’s Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) joins the Lata Hospital Emergency Operations Centre and SOLMAT to discuss the current COVID-19 situation in the province.
© Credits

SOLMAT and WHO participate in Emergency Operations Centre meeting

Members of Temotu’s Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) joins the Lata Hospital Emergency Operations Centre and SOLMAT to discuss the current COVID-19 situation in the province. There was also a presentation of the assessment report completed by first batch of SOLMAT members.

WHO/Esther Nuria
A nurse from Lata Hospital swabs a resident from Venga Village in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province.
© Credits

COVID-19 integrated response mission to the outer islands

A nurse from Lata Hospital swabs a resident from Venga Village in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province. The visit to Venga Village is part of a joint COVID-19 integrated response mission to the outer islands by Lata Hospital and SOLMAT that includes support on testing and surveillance, COVID-19 vaccination, and risk communication and community engagement.

WHO/Esther Nuria
MHMS Risk Communication Officer Mr Ben Rickie explain to Venga villagers the importance of COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
© Credits

Risk communication for COVID-19 testing and vaccination

MHMS Risk Communication Officer Mr Ben Rickie explain to Venga villagers the importance of COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

WHO/Esther Nuria
National Referral Hospital (NRH) Senior Medical Officer and SOLMAT member Dr Celestine Tofuramo administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a Lale Village resident.
© Credits

COVID-19 vaccination as part of the integrated response mission to the outer islands

National Referral Hospital (NRH) Senior Medical Officer and SOLMAT member Dr Celestine Tofuramo administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a Lale Village resident. The COVID-19 integrated response mission to the outer islands was able to vaccinate 391 people in remote villages in Temotu Province with booster doses and catch-up on first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

/