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A step forward

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Eddie Osifelo
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Consignments of testing kits and laboratory equipment unloaded from the Solomon Airlines at the Honiara International Airport on Wednesday 22nd April.

Medical equipment for covid-19 arrive in the country

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands Government yesterday took delivery of lab equipment and testing kits purchased from the Chinese Company BGI（Beijing Genomic Institution), using part of China’s $2.5 million (300,000USD) donation.

This is part of the Government’s preparation plan for any arrival of the coronavirus (covid-19) in the country.

Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollence Seloso, Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia, Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic, staffs of Office of Prime Minister were at the Honiara International airport to receive the medical equipment brought over by Solomon Airlines from Brisbane yesterday.

The arrival of the cargoes happened after Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands together with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade held a handover ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister last week.

Minister Jeremiah Manele received the handover certificate from Counselor Yao Ming, Deputy Head of Mission of the Chinese Embassy regarding the $2.5 million (300,000 USD) donated funds from the Chinese Government for Solomon Islands to fight against the entry and spread of covid-19.

A staff of Chinese Embassy said together with the Lab equipment and testing kits, some PPE donations from China also arrived on the same flight.

“Because of the lockdown/travel ban/flight cancel in many countries, the transportation of the above-mentioned cargoes faced lots of difficulties.

“The Embassy, OPMC, BGI and relevant agencies work together, try best to facilitate a flight route, from Hongkong, via Manila, Sydney and Brisbane to transport the goods to Honiara,” staff said.

The Embassy already facilitated a video conference between BGI and OPMC, Ministry of Health and Medical Service and National Referral Hospital last month, before the purchase.

They talked about the technical issues in building the COVID-19 testing centre in NRH.

BGI is continuing to provide assistance to the Solomon Islands side to facilitate the lab for testing COVID-19.

The testing centre will be set up soon with the arrived lab equipment and testing kits.

In addition, some other donated medical supplies (PPE） arrived last weekend by two cargo ships will be donated to MHMS, Guadalcanal Provincial Government, Honiara City Council, etc. late this week.

The PPE donations are from Guangdong Provincial Government（sister province of Guadalcanal, China Harbour Engineering Company, Jia Shu Rong He International Trade Company and Solomon Chinese Association.

Founded in 1999, BGI is one of the world’s leading life science and genomics organizations.

BGI’s mission is to use genomics to benefit mankind and to be a leader in the era of life sciences.

With businesses in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, BGI has established cooperation and partnerships with thousands of different organizations across multi-disciplinary research areas including medical health, resource conservation and judicial services.

At the same time, BGI provides equipment, technical support and solutions for the needs of national economies and people’s livelihoods, such as precision medicine and precision health.

OFC Nations Cup cancelled

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Solomon Islands National Mens team

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE Solomon Islands national men’s football team first stage qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and this year’s Oceania Nation Cup competitions have been cancelled.

This was following OFC’s Executive Committee’s decision made due to threats of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The event was scheduled for March but was previously postponed and the final stage was due to take place in June in New Zealand.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Executive recently called off all training sessions for the Football Men’s national team for an indefinite period as a measure in response to the COVID-19.

A provisional squad was named in late February under the guidance of Coaches, Eddie Marahare and former U17 coach, Stanley Waita while the SIFF Technical Department search for a foreign national coach is still on.

OFC remain in close contact with FIFA around how the schedule may look for future FIFA International Match Calendar dates, according to a released statement.

“OFC is speaking regularly with all stakeholders within the region, including the 11 Member Associations, about other OFC tournaments that lead to qualification for FIFA events – such as the OFC Champions League and age-group events.

OFC General Secretary Franck Castillo said in a statement that the cancellation of the Nations Cup was a disappointing reality of the COVID-19 situation.

“While the Nations Cup is the flagship tournament for men’s football in OFC, the health and safety of the football community is our top priority,” Castillo said.

“With that in mind, it was only fair that our Executive Committee came to this conclusion as we continue our fight to stop the spread of coronavirus.”

OFC’s competitions department will continue to assess the tournament schedule for the rest of the year, while there is no firm date on when football events return in the Pacific.

SIFF to apply for OFC relief fund

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SIFF President William Lai

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE Solomon Islands Football Federation has confirmed its intentions to apply for the Oceania Football Federation Solidarity fund, stipulated for relief during this COVID-19 pandemic.

SIFF President, William Lai told SunSPORTS that the NZD$50, 000 approximately SBD249, 902 money will be used within specific areas towards the national sport.

“The country yet to have a confirmed COVID-19 case, which leaves us plenty of time to apply for this funding as appropriate,” Mr Lai said.

“The money in specific must be used also in specific areas.

 The OFC Solidarity Fund was developed in order to support staff, volunteers, players, coaches, referees and the wider football community across Oceania during this difficult time, OFC said.

OFC announced on March 9 that OFC football activities across the Pacific would be suspended until at least May 6 following news of the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

That decision was made to ensure OFC played their part in stopping the spread of coronavirus.

These include countries that are directly affected by the Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold recently.

“The grant, which is part of the OFC FIFA FORWARD funding, has been designed to cover four key areas, including food and hygiene packets, loss of income, medical allowances and self-isolation costs.

Meanwhile, the SIFF President has forwarded queries to his Chief Executive Officer, Leonard Paia for more details on how the funds will be used; however, there was no response before this paper went to print last night.

OFC 11 Association football member countries are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Fugui, our Beijing ambassador

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Former MP for Central Honiara, Moffat Fugui

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FORMER Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui has been endorsed by Cabinet to be Solomon Islands new ambassador to China, insiders confirm.

Fugui was the chairman of Prime Minister’s bi-partisan taskforce to review the 36-year relationship Solomon Islands had with Taiwan before the switch.

The taskforce visited countries that have ties with PRC namely Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea and later Beijing.

However, in February, Fugui and his other colleague in the taskforce, Jamie Vokia lost their petition cases in the High Court.

An unexpected outcome which staunch supporters of China allegedly accused Australia of influencing the decision of the High Court to remove them.

Insiders said seasoned Foreign Affairs officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade have been neglected as they would be in a better position to start up a foreign office in Beijing.

“However this was not the case as J.M. Fugui has been chosen likely due to his chairmanship of the government taskforce for the switch from Taiwan to China.

“His appointment is based on political moves rather than on diplomatic credentials,” one insider said.

Fugui, 58, comes from Fourau in Malaita Province.

He obtained his first Master’s degree at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, then two more at the University of Hawai’i in the United States, where he was enrolled in a PhD programme.

He subsequently worked as a political adviser to the Solomon Islands government.

His career in national politics began when he was elected to Parliament as the member for Central Honiara in the August 2010 general election, standing as an independent candidate.

He was then appointed Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology in Prime Minister Danny Philip’s Cabinet.

When Gordon Darcy Lilo replaced Philip as Prime Minister in November 2011, Fugui retained his position in government.

On 22 October 2012, Fugui left the government.

He announced that he had resigned because he had no permanent secretary for seven months; Prime Minister Lilo stated that he had sacked him for siding with the Opposition.

Lilo replaced him with Bradley Tovosia.

Following the 2014 general election, in which he retained his seat, Fugui was elected Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, on 17 December.

He was once a candidate for Prime Minister in one point.

On the 14th of February 2020 Fugui was stripped of his title as a Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Constituency due to evidence of misconduct.

CT scan construction nears half way

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Ground work construction on the site to build the CT scan complex.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE construction phase of the complex to house the CT scan is 40 percent complete, says Dr Aaron Oritaimae, Head of Medical Imaging Department, National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Mr Oritaimae revealed this during the recent visit by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the covid-19 facilities in the NRH.

“The construction phase of the CT scan is 40 percent complete this in terms of its ground work. So, we are on time that is where we are now,” he said.

Oritaimae adds in in covid19 role CT scan would be able to demonstrate very early signs of chest infection.

“The CT scan would be able to demonstrate very early signs of chest infection.

 You can only see it with CT scan, the reason is CT scan can see up to one-millimeter resolution. So, we really need to set this up,” he said.

SIFF awaits DC outcome: CEO

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Solomon Islands Football Federation CEO Leonard Paia.

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is awaiting its Disciplinary Committee’s official report regarding two separate cases being assessed from the last season of the Telekom Soccer League (TSL).

SIFF Chief Executive Officer, Leonard Paia said the administration is yet to receive the report while confirming DC’s second meeting late last month.

“The disciplinary committee met in March regarding the two cases, however, my office is yet to receive its outcome in order for us to examine and produce it publicly,” Mr Paia told SunSPORTS yesterday.

“The report is with the committee’s chairman, and I’ve been informed of their second meeting while we are awaiting it to be forwarded.

The two cases before the disciplinary committee are; 

  1. Tigi Molea allegedly assaulted Taebo after the match between Solomon Warriors and Henderson Eels on December 14th 2019
  2. Henderson Eels and Real Kakamora match-fixing allegations 

SIFF DC is a five-member board and Chaired by Silverio Lepe, responsible for disciplinary issues and the only legitimate body to make investigations, gather evidence and make the rulings regarding.

Meanwhile, prominent football club management and individuals are questioning SIFF delay into the matter.

PM impressed with efforts invested to combat COVID-19

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is impressed with the efforts invested on COVID-19 facilities at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), to prevent the virus entering the country.

PM Sogavare expressed this sentiment on Monday 20th April during his visit to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) COVID-19 facilities.

“I am impressed by the ongoing briefings that I have been receiving from the Ministry of Health about the work that is being done to combat COVID-19.

“With the COVID-19 facility site visitation today (Monday 20th April) I am equally impressed when all the efforts invested in our preparedness but of course we are not yet there.

“We saw, we listen, we learn the gaps and of course when we go back, we learn something in terms of resources when it comes to government operation in fighting COVID-19,” he said.

Sogavare said he has his full confidence in the Minister for Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dickson Mua and his Permanent Secretary, the senior executive officers and National Health Emergency Operation (NHEOC) officers, doctors, nurses and all the staffs who are managing the governments responds to public health emergency.

“You are our first and last line of defense and my deepest respect to you all. You have been working very hard since day one with the support of our development partners to prepare for and respond to this public health crisis which have impacted the world,” he said.

Sogavare said COVID-19 provides the country with an opportunity for forward thinking and forward looking in terms of the health systems of this country.

“We know that our health system is not good as it needs improvement to better cope with the impact of COVID-19 by ensuring our health system is a better place to deal with emerging public health crisis in the future.

“With this, I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the people of Solomon Islands to remain calm at this very difficult time,” he said.

Sogavare said the virus is not here yet but the government is focusing its effort to the MHMS and its partner ministries to prevent the entry of the virus into the country and to do their best to prepare and deal  with the virus if it does reach the provinces as fast they can .

“Our priority of course is to protect this country from the intrusion of this COVID-19,” he said.

Minister for Health Dickson Mua acknowledges the government for the ongoing support in ensuring Solomon Islands is a COVID-19 free country.

“It is worth noting  that on the positive side, what the COVID19 incident brings to Solomon Islands, is to allow people to reflect on what we are currently doing , where we are and where we are heading and what changes we need to do, to meet the challenges going forward and to reposition the MHMS and government to redirect its national priorities,”  Mr. Mua said.

SINPF members enjoy smooth payment system

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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NPF members queue to be assisted for payment withdrawal

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBERS of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) who are entitled under the COVID-19 exemption orders have experienced a smooth process of collecting their funds at Honiara High School.

This was due to the payment process and procedure implemented at the payment location site by SINPF staff.

Island Sun visited the site yesterday and witnessed the payment process where members would check their names at one table, verify their names with another SIPNF staff before joining the queue inside the hall.

In the hall, the SINPF staff sitting in front of the computer sorted out each member before he or she went to another location to get his or her payment.

The Police Response Unit was engaged to guide the payment venues.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SINPF Board Mike Wate said a UNCDF Digital Finance expert Mr. Sanjay.B.Shah was engaged to architect some strategies on how the payment should be delivered effectively and efficiently.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries (LDCs).

Governor of Central Bank, Luke Forau last week visited the site to see the payment system utilised by the SINPF staff and was really impressed with it.

Mr Wate said it’s a learning experience as a first of its kind to happen to SINPF Board since its existence in 1976.

Even during the social unrest in 1998-2003 the Minister of Finance or the government then did not provide exemption orders for members to access part of their NPF contribution.

He said such payout to members will go down in SINPF Board 44 years’ history. SINPF will learn from this experience and in the future Fund will have a precedence to lean on when such crisis arises.

More than 1000 members have received their payments so far since the exemption came into force on the 1st of April 2020.

There are members with no mobile numbers and also members who missed their collection dates and times.

These members are requested to contact the Fund on 673 or on our 2 direct lines 25147 or 25149 go to the payment site for their payments for those who received their messages.

The Covid-9 exemption order expires on June, 30th 2020.

A 14-room quarantine for health workers on standby

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PM visit to the COVID19 triage.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

A 14-room quarantine home for staff, who may encounter COVID-19 case has been refurbished and is now available at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) compound says Minister for Health Dickson Mua.

With this, more than 2000 COVID-19 health advocators have been trained and equipped in all the provinces and in Honiara.

Mua said there are 179 trained National Referral Hospital staff currently on roster for full activation around the clock.

“Of this, 22 doctors are triage doctors. Isolation Doctors and Nurses accounts for 70,” he said.

Mua also adds there is a Solomon Islands Medical Assistance Team (SOLMAT) team consisting of nine staff on a monthly roster basis who are capable to be deployed at short notice.

SI to adopt public health control measures practiced by other countries

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PM and team briefed at the Isolation facility 1 corridor before visiting the isolation rooms

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and its partners have planned to adopt and articulate effective public health control measures practiced by other countries based on SI’s context.

This was unveiled by Minister of Health Dickson Mua on Monday 20th April at the occasion of the Prime Ministers first official visit to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) to COVID facility site.

He said these measures include, compliance with instructions not to allow overcrowding in local context, family houses have an average person of seven to ten and compliance with instructions for social distancing in public places, churches, transport to maintain a one to two meters distance.

Also working from home, allowing disperse markets and more streamlined livelihood needs, hand hygiene is to be the norm of life, Financial electronic banking lifeline and incorporation of COVID-19 control and public measure through all financial electronic gateways.

And widespread testing, using an effective laboratory equipment and information management system throughout the Solomon Islands, rational use of Personal Protection Equipment’s (PPE), health system pre-positioned stockpiles of supplies and consumables and linkages into a robust control and command centers.

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