Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete

Officials from the Health Ministry are now carrying out their assessment and inspections in areas that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Mona.

Minister responsible, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says they’re focusing on public health to ensure there is no outbreak of any disease.

Dr. Waqainabete says their officials are ensuring that people sheltering in evacuation centres have access to clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and food.

He says they have also given out WASH kits to people in evacuation centers.

“Our teams will now go out into the communities as the water recedes and as the weather is better – to actually make sure those places are actually habitable. And are not public health disease outbreak prone before they actually move back. Once we get them back into those communities with the support of NDMO and the police – and we know that their back in a safe place, where they can stay, and then our officials will be going across the country to make sure we are looking after the public health aspect.”

The Minister adds they’re glad that TC Mona did not leave behind any major impact, however, this gives the Ministry an opportunity to strengthen their public health capability.