COVID-19 vaccinations are consistently being carried out for the people of Alotau at the Alotau Urban Clinic.
This was noted during a recent visit to Milne Bay Province by the COVID-19 Ministerial Vaccine Taskforce.
Alotau consistently vaccinates patients daily assuring its responsibility to protect its people from COVID-19 even though there are still big improvements that need to be made in terms of awareness on increasing COVID-19 Vaccination rates in the province.
Since January 2023, the Alotau Urban Clinic has vaccinated 124 adults which is a big number considering the high level of vaccine hesitancy that currently exists within the province.
Milne Bay is a province that clearly shows responsibility in terms of managing COVID-19 within the province and sets a good example for other provinces that have become complacent with COVID-19 preventive measures.
Sister-in-Charge of Alotau Urban Clinic, Sr Jane Raurela said that it was great seeing more than 2 people voluntarily visiting the clinic to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
“We are vaccinating every day and it’s thanks to our good staff and the community who help us with positive advocacy messages that encourages people around town and surrounding communities to take up the COVID-19 vaccination.”
“We (health care workers) are all vaccinated here at Alotau Urban Clinic and that’s key to advocating to the communities to be vaccinated, because we are vaccinated ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Milne Bay Director for Public Health, Dr Jacob Morewaya stated that it was a must for Milne Bay health authorities and the people to take COVID-19 seriously as being a new infectious disease.
“We are all only learning about this disease and since preventive measures had been issued by the National Control Centre for COVID-19 (NCC), we have not stopped since as a province, in ensuring our people are protected from this disease.”
“While we don’t apply mandatory wearing of masks anymore as per directions from NCC, we still continue our routine temperature checks at our airport and seaports. This helps us monitor any instances and signs of COVID-19 from visitors entering Milne Bay by air or sea.”
As a maritime province, high on tourist visitation, it is highly recommended that such public health safety practices continue and that this encourages other provinces in similar settings to follow suit.