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Though facing challenges nurses take pride in their career

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Some of the Nurses in the country who have recently become registered Nurses

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITH this year’s theme ‘Nursing the World to HEALTH’ a female nurse who works at the National Referral Hospital says she is proud of her career in saving lives though facing much challenges.

The female nurse, who wants her name with-held, said May 12 every year is a special day for nurses around the world in commemorating their founder Florence Nightingale.

“We used to celebrate this day annually but today due to the COVID-19 pandemic there is no celebration.

“But we are proud to become nurses though we faced with challenges and criticisms every day, becoming a nurse is indeed a challenging and tough job but for me I take pride because I save lives and help my people and my country in saving lives and making sure our people’s health are taken care off”, the female nurse said.

She said though with limited facilities and resources they have at the National Referral Hospital they can still perform to their best to take care of sick patients visiting the hospital.

“And there were times we fail our patients due to lack of proper facilities but that did not let us down to continue and carry our jobs.

“I work as a nurse not for money but because of my passion in caring for the sick and the health of our people”, the female nurse said.

According to World Health Organization  message to mark the World Nursing Day, WHO said nurses are at the forefront of fighting epidemics and pandemics –  providing high quality and respectful treatment and care. They are often the first and sometimes the only health professional that people see and the quality of their initial assessment, care and treatment is vital.

Nurses account for more than half of all the world’s health workers, yet there is an urgent shortage of nurses worldwide with 5.9 million more nurses still needed, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vital role nurses play. Without nurses and other health workers, we will not win the battle against outbreaks, we will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or universal health coverage.

“As we mark this, day, we urge countries to ensure:

  • the occupational safety and health of nurses and all health workers, including notably, unhindered access to personal protective equipment so they can safely provide care and reduce infections in health care settings.
  • nurses and all health care workers have access to mental health support, timely pay, sick leave and insurance; as well as access to the most up-to-date knowledge and guidance required to respond to all health needs, including outbreaks.
  • nurses are given the financial support and other resources required to help respond to and control COVID-19 and future outbreaks.

“In this year of the Nurse and the Midwife, now more than ever, it is essential that governments support and invest in their nurses. COVID19 reinforces the need for investment in nursing jobs, education, leadership”, WHO stated.

In April, WHO and partners launched the first ever State of the Worlds’ Nursing Report, which provides a snapshot of the global nursing workforce as well as highlights the scale of the challenge we face and provides feasible policies for governments  to invest in nursing so that Health for All can become a reality.

By developing their nursing workforces, countries can achieve the triple impact of improving health, promoting gender equality and supporting economic growth. Strengthening nursing will have the additional benefits of promoting gender equity (SDG5), contributing to economic development (SDG8) and supporting other Sustainable Development Goals.

More complicated cases of NCDs increasing at the NRH

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr Jones Gabu

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MORE complicated cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD) are being recorded since April, giving cause for medical experts to raise the alarm.

The country is preparing for any possible entry by the global killer covid-19 and almost all national resources are devoted to this end, but in the meanwhile old diseases which had been quelled are returning to inflict pain and suffering on the people.

Dr Jones Gabu, senior consultant physician and head internal medicine at the national referral hospital (NRH), said NCD is still the major cause for admission to the NRH.

But, more worryingly, Gabu says that ‘more complicated cases of NCDs’ are being reported at the NRH.

More complicated cases means that doctors are having a harder time treating them.

Mr Gabu said according tomedical ward admission report for first quarter of 2020 a total of 84 percent or 330 cases admitted with NCD at NRH.

Gabu said admissions are at a total of 393 case of which there have been 49 deaths, or 13 percent death rate.

He said in terms of the type of disease admitted to the Medical Ward from January to April, 393 cases admitted are NCDs and 16 percent or 63 cases admitted with infections.

“The trend of the diseases we are seeing admitted are more like same for last year 2019 with more NCDs.

“Now we are seeing more complicated cases since April and now into May

“A lot of poor controlled diabetes and high blood pressure. A factor that contribute to preparedness and scare.

“I appeal to people with NCDs such as diabetes, high blood pressure to go to clinics or come to the Referral clinic of NRH on week days to see nurses and doctors there.

“We have the NCD team or nurses and one doctor stationed in the referral clinic every working day,” said Gabu.

He said the top causes of admissions are heart diseases with 19 percent, stroke (CVA) 12 percent, high blood pressure,11 percent, anemia seven percent, cancer six percent, malaria six percent, Kidney diseases (ESKD) five percent, upper GIT bleeding five percent, diarrhoea four percent, chronic liver diseases three percent and meningitis four percent.

Kenilorea Jnr resigns as deputy opposition leader

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Peter Kenilorea Jnr

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Office of the Opposition has confirmed the resignation of Peter Kenilorea Junior as Deputy Opposition Leader.

“We want to confirm that Peter has resigned because he has other plans to do.

“We can’t say it’s political because Peter is still the member of the Opposition Group,” the Opposition Office said.

Mr Kenilorea Jnr made his resignation known on his social media page on Facebook.

“I thank the opposition group for their support during my tenure as Deputy Leader.

“I remain a loyal opposition member focusing on my role as Chair of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee and MP for East Are Are Constituency,” he said.

Kenilorea Jnr said: “I still firmly believe that the opposition group can ably lead this nation forward in these uncertain times with confidence, should the opportunity be accorded to the group.

“Together, We Can,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga, Matthew Wale is the Leader of the Opposition Group.

Peter Kenilorea Jnr is 47 years of age.

His father Peter Kenilorea was the first Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands.

Kenilorea Jnr attended Su’u National Secondary School on Malaita, then transferred to Wesley College, Auckland, in New Zealand.

Upon the completion of secondary education, Kenilorea Jr. pursued a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Waikato, followed by a Master of Laws in international law at the University of Nottingham.

Kenilorea Jnr began his legal career with Jennifer Corrin Barrister & Solicitor in 1994.

He began working for the Attorney General of the Solomon Islands in 1996, and left his government position for the United Nations in 2000.

Kenilorea Jnr held several roles at the UN, returning to the government of the Solomon Islands in 2017 as permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Kenilorea Jnr contested the 2019 general election on behalf of the United Party, and was elected a member of parliament for East ‘Are’are.

The United Party supported Kenilorea Jnr’s candidacy for head of government, an office won by Manasseh Sogavare.

Soon after Sogavare’s fourth cabinet took office, his government chose to end diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.

Kenilorea Jnr sharply criticised the establishment of bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China.

Crackdown finds shops hoarding expired goods in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Cartons of expired twisties seized from one of the shop in Auki. Photo by Samie Waikori.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

SHOPS in Auki are reportedly hoarding expired goods for unknown reasons, a crack down by the province’s food safety and hygiene unit found out.

Malaita provincial office through its Food Safety and Hygiene unit is cracking down on expired food products being sold in shops in Auki.

On Monday this week, a load of expired cartons of junk food (twisty) was seized from a shop in Auki.

Food Safety and Hygiene officer, Ms Mercy Nunua said they have been visiting shops in Auki and continue to find expired items being kept.

She said most of the expired goods were found in shop’s cargo storage, and expiry dates go back as far as two years ago.

Nunua said their discovery has led them to be suspicious of the shop-owners’ motives in keeping the expired products.

Nunua appeals to all shop owners to cooperate with her team and to remove and dispose off any expired goods within their shop.

She also calls on shop owners who have goods nearing expiry dates to put the goods on special price to sell before they expire.

Nunua reiterated that her office will continue to monitor status of goods in shops in Auki and wants cooperation from shop owners.

Trapped with old enemies

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dengue cases increase at NRH as country prepares for possible covid-19 entry

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

WHILE Solomon Islands is mobilising almost all of its resources to keep covid-19 out, diseases which we have worked hard to stamp out are re-emerging in worrying rates.

Dengue, which have had few outbreaks in past years, was successfully silenced by national response, but with all attention now on covid-19 there is an increase in diagnosed dengue cases at the national referral hospital (NRH).

Since April the NRH has been admitting a growing number of dengue patients.

This was revealed yesterday to Island Sun by Dr Jones Gabu, senior consultant physician and head of internal medicine, NRH.

“We are also admitting ceases of dengue in the ward since April to now.

“Dengue is increasing therefore we need to take preventative measures to keep mosquitoes at bay or avoid being bitten by mosquito.

“Clean environment. If develop dengue, drink a lot of coconut juice, four to six coconuts or lots of water per day. Don’t drink juice or sugary drinks,” he said.

Gabu adds the Medical Ward Admission report for first quarter 2020 recorded an increasing number of dengue cases in March and April.

Also, in the month of February 2020 a high number of malaria cases was recorded as well.

He explains that as early as January cases of dengue were reported but at a relatively low rate, not until April before the worrying trend began.

FACE TO FACE

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MINISTRY of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening will meet with Malaita Province to iron out differences regarding the warning letter issued to Premier Daniel Suidani on April 30.

Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso had said in his letter to premier Suidani that Malaita provincial government faces suspension unless the Premier stops contravening the Provincial Government Act 1997 through his actions.

Two Members of Provincial Assembly and Provincial Secretary of Malaita province are booked to travel to Honiara today to join up with Premier Suidani.

Suidani said currently he is not aware of the agenda of the meeting.

However, he said because the invitation comes from the Ministry, he has decided to join the meeting.

Suidani said the issue between both parties are well covered in the media when Island Sun reporter, Alfred Sasako broke the story on Tuesday, May 5 of the warning letter issued by Minister Seleso. Premier Suidani has already responded to Seleso’s letter.

In his letter dated April 30, the Minister accused Premier Suidani of undertaking two overseas trips without the Minister’s knowledge or approval.

As well, Minister Seleso accused Premier Suidani of having “intentionally refused to attend the recent COVID-19 Dialogue in Honiara, which “shows the Malaita Provincial Government is not prepared to work with the National Government in the fight against COVID-19.

“This gives rise to a security issue for Solomon Islands. In light of the above and if in the event that this does not cease, I will be recommending to the Hon Prime Minister to exercise his powers to suspend the Malaita Provincial Government during the State of Public Emergency,” the Minister said.

In a tit-for-tat response, Premier Suidani said “I am obliged to inform you that the claims in the letter are incorrect at its best, and intentionally false and malicious at worst.

Furthermore, the threats that are contained in the letter are of a grave nature, and based on my legal advice, amount to actions planned outside of the law,” Premier Suidani said.

“I can only assume that your letter has benefited from the advice of the Attorney General and has been issued with the blessing of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. I therefore need to assume that this is the position of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).

“For this letter, after passing through the Attorney General and the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to retain such a degree of misrepresentation of fact and misreading of law leads me to conclude that these inclusions are deliberate,” he said.

Premier Suidani said the letter was a “political attack rather than a good faith expression” in promoting constitutional governance and genuine desire for public order.
“I will respond to your claims point by point, but in summary I wish to state that they lack basis.”

“It is a very unfortunate attack on your part, especially given our respective cultural identities and the history of our peoples.

The Premier said:

“This is an attack that appears to amount to an attempt at incitement between our peoples. If indeed this attack is a position of DCGA then we are facing a grave situation in which the national government DCGA is promoting political attacks in such a way as to attempt to incite conflict between the different peoples of Solomon Islands.

“As such, I do view your letter itself as undermining public law order and the integrity of our dear nation Solomon Islands,” he warned.

The Premier dismissed claims of unauthorized, unsanctioned or unapproved travel against him, saying he was not a public servant to be held to account for any travels he had undertaken.

“The regulation cited in your letter, Order 14 of the Provincial Assembly Members (Salaries and Allowances) Determination 2015 concerns entitlement for allowance if a provincial member travels overseas. In other words, it applies to a provincial member including a premier only when they wish to receive an overseas travel allowance. In such circumstances the Order applies and the Minister’s permission to travel must be obtained.

“Therefore, to say in your letter that my overseas travel breached Order 14 is not only misleading but a clear misinterpretation of this Order. I did not receive travel allowance for these travels,” Premier Suidani said.
He claimed his office has informed the Ministry as a courtesy of the two foreign trips he undertook last December and again in March this year.

Premier Suidani also defended his absence from the recent Premiers’ Dialogue on the COVID-19 pandemic in Honiara, rejecting accusations that his absence was “an act of insubordination.”

“In fact, the decision to send the Deputy Premier was an integral part of my shared leadership style. The Malaita Provincial Government will continue to share leadership responsibility like this in the future as appropriate,” he said.

Behaving a bit like President Trump in saying one thing today and quite the opposite the next day, Premier Suidani said his stance on the fight against the intrusion of the coronavirus “has been consistently about protecting the people of Malaita from the virus.”

“I would go so far as to say that I have been more pro-active and constructive in leading a response than many other provincial and parliamentary leaders.

“Even my statements regarding caution about imported PPE from (the) People’s Republic of China have been clearly made to support public health, not to undermine it,” he said.

On the State of Public Emergency, Premier Suidani said it must be made clear that the powers of the Prime Minister under the COVID-19 Regulation are specific to COVID-19 circumstances, which does not include suspending or terminating an elected provincial government.

Golden chance

Written by
Admin
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French team eyes rugby league talents from Solomon Islands in its bid for Queensland Cup

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

SOLOMON Islands Rugby League (SIRL) players are in the scope to join Pacifique Treize, a French team in a bid to compete at the Intrust Super Cup (Queensland Cup).

With the growing popularity of rugby league in the Pacific region, Solomon Islands is among Vanuatu and New Caledonia players that may eventually get the chance to play at the elite competition.

Pacifique Treize has identified Solomon Islands as a key development market of talents, a host destination for the development and creating opportunities in the rugby code.

“We look forward to working with the Solomon Island Rugby League and the broader Solomon Islands community as we develop this bid. Creating opportunities for players to aspire to become professional rugby league players with Pacifique Treize is our goal, but through creating high performance programs will also assist the Solomon Islands national rugby league team into the future,” Communications Director Laurent Garnier commented.

It will be a breaking wave for the sport in the country as the intention is that Pacifique Treize will establish a Centre de Formation (Academy) in Honiara to further develop young rugby league players that may eventually get the chance to play for the Pacifique Treize Intrust Super Cup should the bid be successful.

Pacifique Treize literally means Pacific 13 in French reference to the territory and the number of players in a rugby league team.

The bid seeks to establish a close relationship with the Solomon Islands Rugby League, given the geographical, historical and cultural ties between New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands the official released statement added.

“Solomon Islands represents a very important part of the Pacifique Treize ambitions, with Solomon Islands to be seen as a key development market for playing talent and also a host destination for junior touring teams into the future,” Garnier commented

Pacifique Treize has taken inspiration from the success of PNG Hunters who have participated in the Intrust Super Cup since 2014 and also the rise of the Toronto Wolfpack from a non-rugby league city in Canada to the European Super League in a very short space of time. The bid will be keeping a close eye on the progression of the Kaiviti Silktails from Fiji, who embarks on their own similar journey of playing in Australia from 2020 onwards.

A six-member steering committee, which has representation in New Caledonia and Australia and comprises French, Australian and Vanuatu nationalities, has been working for the past 12 months researching the feasibility of this bold bid.

A six-member steering committee, which has representation in New Caledonia and Australia and comprises French, Australian and Vanuatu nationalities, has been working for the past 12 months researching the feasibility of this bold bid.

MAL clarifies $2.7m funding partnership with Sape farm

Written by
Press Release
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Dr. Paul Bosawai Popora of SAPE Farm, MAL Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances and MAL Undersecretary Technical Michael Ho’ota signing the partnership agreement.

THE COVID-19 pandemic is putting the world on a crisis footing with unprecedented actions to restrict movements causing disruptions to productions affecting, amongst other things, food supply around the globe. And as countries braced themselves to protect their citizens from the deadly disease they are now faced with imminent recession and a global famine is predicted by the World Food Organisation (WFO) of the United Nation and the countries that depend on imported food are the most vulnerable. And so given the status of global food suppliers, export restrictions are unwarranted and will hurt food security in importing dependent countries.

 As Solomon Island is highly depended on imported food, the Government fear the potential food shortage impacting lives of urban and rural population who depend on rice and now has as one of its priority preparations plan the production of local production food, especially root crops for this looming food shortage.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) therefore is taking no chances and are working very hard to ensure this country increase its local food stock with plans to invest on mass production of root crops.

Recently MAL Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances and Undersecretary Michael Ho’ota signed an SBD 2.7 Million funding agreement with the management of SAPE Farm representative Dr Paul Bosawai Popora as the first partner to support the government with this objective.

“While funding may be an important factor, finding the right partner who can deliver is the key to achieving this government targets,” Mrs Frances said. In such times it is an important decision because we cannot afford to be making mistakes with how we as a government agency direct government investments through our people. Mrs Frances went on to explain that “the government want to ensure we have local food stock ready and so it is our duty to ensure that happens yet production is not the role of MAL; it only facilitate and support production through our people in the country”. The Permanent Secretary is very confident that Dr Paul and his team will deliver.

Dr Paul vision is to farm root crops so he can ensure we have access to local fresh food as a way of fighting Non Communicable Diseases that is killing our people every week. The Permanent Secretary said that “she was impressed with Dr Paul visions which is reflected in the amount of investment he already put into his cassava and potato farming”. Sape Farm started in 2018 and right now they have a tractor and already planted 2 hectares of cassava and 4 hectares of potatoes and had been selling to the Hospital, SINU and JQY (for his animal feed). The family has 200 hectares of registered land with 160 hectares available for cultivation.




From right to left: MAL Undersecretary Technical Michael Ho’ota, MAL Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances, Dr. Paul Bosawai Popora of SAPE Farm, Andrew Melanolu Director MAL Extension and Peter Trena Director MAL Planning after signing of the partnership agreement.

‘Sape Farm was identified by MAL last year for support to develop their farm to commercial cassava production and discussions were along the lines of cassava production for export. With the need to increase local food stock, it is just good timing”, said Mrs Frances.

The Permanent Secretary said that supporting our own people to participate in economic activities and improve their lives and those around them is the role of the government and MAL is happy to do that on behave of the Government. The Permanent Secretary said that it is her vision to support our own Solomon Islanders who have the potential do commercial agriculture so we take control of our own economic growth.

The Support Agreement signed between MAL and Sape Farm is a supply and value add package that will ensure Sape Farm are able to do mass farming of cassava and potato, process, package, store and distribute to outlets around in Honiara and also for export.  Agreement with Sape Farm also is for them to support farmers it can feasibly reach through contract farming so other family household have the chance to earn money for themselves.

The Permanent Secretary explained that funding support will cater for farming machineries and tools, processing and refrigeration machines and working capital.

Meanwhile Dr. Bosawai Popora on behalf of SAPE farm thank the government through the MAL for recognizing them through the partnership.

“I am excited indeed. This is the beginning of a milestone investment from the government through the ministry of agriculture supporting us SAPE farmers to shift from the normal subsistence farming into a more commercial way of food production.”

“I am very happy after signing this contract and very much looking forward for better results.”

Dr. Bosawai Popora highlighted that SAPE farm already have 200 hectares of registered land.

 “We have committed in the contract to farm 40 hectares, 20 hectares for cassava and 20 hectares for patato but that is only for the contract. We have 160 hectares of land available for further expansions.”

The Ministry is now progressing discussions with St.Martin, Don Bosco, Tenaru and Selwyn as part of its local food production program and is hoping to sign contracts soon. The Permanent Secretary said that they are focusing on schools as partners because they each have large portion of land registered under their authorities so easier to deal with such investment now with those already have land available for mass production

The ministry is hoping to create up to 300 jobs or more through this program and will be expecting more jobs as it roll out similar program to the provinces.

Further work on meat production is being progressed as well and contracts will be signed soon.

–MAL PRESS

Solomon Islands boosted with $71 m from Australia

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Foreign Minister the Hon Jeremiah Manele and the Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan sign the funding agreement documents

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands’ effort to remain a covid-19 free nation has been boosted with $71 million assistance from the Australian government.

This was made possible after Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele and Australia High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan signed a funding agreement in Cabinet yesterday.

Minister Manele said the budget support provided by Australia we have witnessed today will greatly assist the Solomon Islands Government to meet some of its COVID-19 preparedness and response activities, and assist with managing the social and economic impact faced by Solomon Islands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He said the Health Sector COVID-19 response, with amount equivalent to AUD8 million (approximately SBD43.7 million), this will include support the isolation and quarantine infrastructure requirements, logistics, medical equipment, personal protection equipment, laboratory equipment including COVID testing kits, water and sanitation projects, surge personal or technical assistance in Honiara and throughout the provinces.

Manele said for the government’s Economic Stimulus COVID-19 Response Plan, with an amount equivalent to AUD 5 million (approximately SBD27.3 million), this will support the government’s Economic stimulus package launched this week.

“We would like to see labour mobility support be boosted and invest in equipping Solomon Islands National University to train semi-skilled workers to enter the Pacific Labour scheme.

“More projects labour intensive infrastructure projects in the rural areas and people centred economic activities in the provinces would be targeted,” he said.

Manele said Australia’s SBD $71 million COVID-19 Assistance package to Solomon Islands symbolises our two countries strong friendship and mutually beneficial relationship that both our two countries and peoples have enjoyed over the years.

“Though the support provided is specifically in response to COVID-19, I understand Australia’s ongoing support and commitment to assist us in meeting our national development goals under its bilateral programme remain.

“For this, I want to register my deep appreciation to Australia for its unwavering support,” he said.

“Excellency, rest assured, your government’s budget support towards our COVID-19 response will towards the two areas mention earlier and as agreed by our countries.

“I would also like to reiterate that we are committed in ensuring good governance practices are in place as well as adhering to the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness principles,” he added.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma, Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Mua, their permanent secretaries, McKinnie Dentana, Pauline McNeil, Collin Beck of Foreign Affairs, Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers and officials have witnessed the signing.

Premier Suidani condemns offensive video

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Admin
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

PREMIER Daniel Suidani of Malaita province on Thursday 7th May held an online press conference to condemn an insulting Facebook video which had circulated in recent days.

Premier Suidani categorically condemns the video making it clear that the offensive content does not represent Malaita province or its people.

Suidani said that he made the press conference as soon as he viewed the video on Thursday 7th May, and on the advice on his team. 

The Premier said in his statement that the video was “Deeply wrong and does not reflect value of respect embodied in our cultural traditions and Christian ethics. I therefore condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

“I make this condemnation as Premier of Malaita Province and on behalf of my people and government.”

Secondly he went on to say that these statements by the individual in the video do not in any way represent the people or government of Malaita province.

The Premier also made it clear that this was an individual’s action not done on behalf of anyone else.

Premier Suidani pointed out that the person needs to face the consequences of such a terrible action himself, and that his actions do not represent the values or the views of the people of Malaita province nor of its provincial government.

In his statement the Premier completely disassociated the people and government of Malaita province from the video and its content.

Premier Suidani reaffirmed that the people and government of Malaita Province value and respect the relationships with Solomon Islanders from other provinces.

In closing, he asked for fellow Solomon Islanders and wantoks to share this message in their families, networks and communities.

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