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Pacific People of the Year Pacific People of the Year

Fiji Prime Miniser Voreqe Bainimarama and health workers at the unveiling of a monument marking the country’s 50th Elizabeth Iro A Pohnpei Public Health Officer discusses COVID-19 risks with community
anniversary of independence. Photo: Fiji Government members. Photo: WHO

with nurses staging sit-in protests in breakdown in trust between the two The Pacific Community (SPC) has
late October, demanding government parties will take some time. played a coordinating role as part of the
pay outstanding allowances. joint Incident Management Team during
As a result of the strike action, the Caring for the mental health of the COVID response and Deputy Direc-
Solomon Islands Nursing Association has health workers tor, Public Health Division, Sunia Soakai
been suspended as a trade union. WHO Representative to the South says early on there was recognition of
“We never expected members of our Pacific, Dr Corinne Capuono says health the psychosocial impact of the pandem-
nursing profession to desert and turn workers across Pacific island nations ic on the region’s healthcare workers.
their backs to our patients at the coun- have been working “around the clock all “Healthcare workers and teachers
try’s hour of need,” the government year. In fact, many have been working are some of the most resilient people,
said in a statement. around the clock since late last year, so for them to say, we are concerned
It claimed SINA had “totally abused when some PICs [Pacific island coun- about the implications of us caring for
its role as a trade union, taking advan- tries] were facing measles outbreaks.” COVID patients, not only for ourselves
tage of the current perilous state our While making a distinction between but for our families, is quite telling and
country’s economy, as a result of the the very different experiences of health also a manifestation of their maturity.
single largest development and health workers depending on whether they Healthcare workers are usually resil-
threat our country has ever faced since were caring for border quarantine ient… just get on with the work. The
independence, to push its own agenda cases, working in states with COVID-19 fact that they are actually verbalising
that completely disregards the danger outbreaks, or working to ensure health it is a good thing rather than bottle it
facing this country. It completely disre- systems were ready for COVID- 19, Dr up. And for us not to take it for granted
gards the oath of service its members Capuono states: “I think I can say with that they are not just going to tough it
subscribed to in their profession, and confidence that all PICs have focused out and make sure that the support is
instead used the pandemic and our cur- a substantial proportion of their health available where we can provide it.”
rent situation to hold this country and human resources on preparing for or SPC’s clinical service program this
its population at ransom for personal responding to COVID-19 this year – and year has been able to offer psychosocial
gain of itself and its members.” that these health workers are likely to support to specialised groups of health
The government said 73 nurses are be extremely tired.” workers through online sessions.
involved in COVID operations, that all WHO has worked with its partners to In PNG, the International Commit-
have been receiving generous allow- ensure health workers get the training tee of the Red Cross has also been
ances which are “unequalled by much and equipment they need to respond to addressing this need. One workshop
of the public service”. COVID-19, including emergency re- participant, Felix Soal who works at
Nurses are back on the job but repair- sponse and planning, PPE, and psycho- Mendi General Hospital, told the Red
ing the wounds of the standoff and the social support. Cross about his fears at the start of the

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