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Health Secretary made Regional Pandemic Controller for Bougainville

The Bougainville Acting Chief Secretary today announced the delegation of Health Secretary, Clement Totavun as the Regional Pandemic Controller for Bougainville. In a circular released today, Acting Chief Secretary Shadrach Himata, stated that the Bougainville Regional Pandemic Control Center is established under Section 56 (c) of the Bougainville Public Service (Management and Administration) Act 2014, and pursuant to Section 14 of the same Act. “Based on the provisions mentioned, I hereby delegate the responsibility of Regional Pandemic Controller to Clement Totavun, Secretary, Bougainville Department of Health,” he said. “Whilst it is the responsibility of the Chief Secretary to lead the Regional Control Centre, I am confident the delegated role to Mr Clement Totavun is in affirmation of his current role as Chairman of the BEC-endorsed Covid-19 Public Health Committee.” He said that the Bougainville Department of Health is the mandated authority to lead Bougainville’s COVID19 response and containment strategy. “Bougainville regional public health measures will be guided by Ministerial Directives as issued by the ABG Health Minister,” Himata explained. The Regional Public Health Committee was established on 17 December, 2020 by the Bougainville Executive Council. The Committee provides technical advice through Health Secretary, to the Minister for Health who updates the government. Mr Clement Totavun, as Regional Pandemic Controller will be supported by Mr Francis Tokura, Chief of Bougainville Police Service and the Public Health Committee as an advisory body. “A whole of government team effort is demanded at this time to combat the community transmission within our families and people,” Himata said.

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