A group photo outside the National Referral Hospital.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
THE Solomon Islands and Taiwan Health and Medical Services Cooperation Inspection Mission donated medical supplies and toured the National Referral Hospital yesterday.
A formal ceremony was held for the delegation in the morning at the Taiwan Health Centre which was also attended by NRH CEO, heads of NRH departments and Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Under Secretary.
The occasion began with a presentation from one of the delegates, Mr Wei-Chou Chang, a senior specialist from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital who delivered a rundown of the progress of projects the Taiwan Health Mission has carried out over the years at NRH and in the provinces.
Delegates and NRH heads of divisions inpsecting the THC timeline posters.
Remarks were later made by Taiwan’s CEO of Hospital and Social Welfare Organisations, Administration Commission of Ministry of Health and Welfare, Dr Yuan-Nian Hsu, NRH CEO, Dr Steve Aumanu and Deputy Counselor of the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands, Mr Oliver Weng.
This was concluded with the presentation of gifts and a tour around the National Referral Hospital.
Members of the mission of from the Ministry of Health and Welfare are Dr Yuan-Nian Hsu CEO of Hospital and Social Welfare Organisations, Ms Wen-Li Yang, Chief Strategic Officer of Taipei City Hospital and Ms Wen-Chu Yen, a researcher from the Office of International Cooperation.
A group photo outside the National Referral Hospital.
Delegates from the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital are Mr Chao Yuan Wang, Vice Superintendent / Professor, Mr Wei-Chou Chang, Senior Specialist and Mr Yu Chau Lin who is a nurse.
The purpose of the trip is to attend a workshop at NRH, donate medical supplies and inspect Taiwan Health Mission operations.
Dr Rooney Jagilly, NRH Medical Superintendent explaing the Surgical ward board.Visiting delegates inspecting the Pathology lab.Visiting the diabetes temporary ward.
Electors look for their names in front of Gizo B polling station.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THERE will be ‘No Out-Of-Constituency’ voting in the upcoming National General Election (NGE) for 2019.
This is a good reminder for many in Solomon Islands who are from observation, have the idea that they can only cast their votes from the main Capital, Honiara.
According to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) on their social media page, this method needs proper planning, resources and budget.
“There are also issues such as risk of double voting associated to such system, if not well planned.
“SIEC acknowledges the need to have this system in place and is working to ensure this is possible in the future.
“For the 2019 NGE, voters are informed that there will be no out of constituency voting therefore, they have to return to their constituencies to cast their votes,” posted SIEC.
PM Hou delivers his speech during the occassion marking the 76th anniversary of WWII at Bloody Ridge.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
PM Hou pays tribute to the war heroes of WWII at Bloody Ridge.
BLOODY Ridge stands as a significant symbol of World Peace.
This was said by Prime Minister Rick Hou on the occasion of the first anniversary celebration since the area became a National park.
Speaking on Wednesday, PM Hou says the word ‘peace’ transcended all historical animosity and today Solomon Islands enjoy unity and friendship with the world.
“That is why this site has now become known as ‘Bloody Ridge National Peace Park’. Therefore, today’s event is again very special as this marks the 1st Anniversary of the establishment of ‘Bloody Ridge National Peace Park.”
The 25-hectare park currently holds a US Marine Raider’s monument, a Solomon Islands Government monument and also a Japanese monument.
PM Hou says these monuments signify the importance of this place in history of the War to all of us.
“This place is important to the Solomon Islands as part of our history that shaped our society today.
“Not only for Solomon Islands, this site is significantly recognised by the world for the historical events that took place here 76 years ago.
“For us, announcement of the Bloody Ridge as a National Peace Park was made accord this site with the honor and respect it deserves.”
PM Hou delivers his speech during the occassion marking the 76th anniversary of WWII at Bloody Ridge.
He said once the fiercest battleground in World War II, this site is now an icon for peace, unity and friendship.
Hou says from our collective past, this will be always be our collective future and this is what he wants the world to see.
“The message is let our past be where it should be; in the past.
“Whilst we continue to respect and protect our collective past, the future is what we want it to be.”
PM Hou pays tribute to the war heroes of WWII at Bloody Ridge.(Left to Right) MFAET minister Milner Tozaka, Tourism minister Bartholomew Parapolo, PM Hou and Japanese ambassador to Solomon Islands.
THE nine people missing at sea while travelling from the Russell Islands in the Central Province to Honiara on August 2, 2018 have been found safe and well.
The boat, which had drifted for five days, went ashore at Gizunalapu Island, near Babahaero Village, in the Isabel Province at about 3am in the morning of August 7, 2018.
It is not clear at this stage what happened to them that led them to drift as far as Isabel
Director Police Maritime, Chief Superintendent Charles Fox Sau says, “Later on the morning of August 7, the missing people saw a man paddling out at sea and waved to him for help with a piece of cloth.
“They asked him to assist them to any nearby village. They were taken to Babahaero Village and arrived there at 12 noon.”
“At Babahaero Village the survivors were assisted by the community there and were later taken to Kia Village where they were checked at the local clinic and declared in good health.
“The people at Kia are looking after them while arrangements are being made to take them back to Louna in the Russell Islands.
“While it is not clear at this stage what happened to the boat and engine that led to the nine people drifting, I want to remind our good people travelling on banana boats in our waters to always think safety first.
“Try and have the right equipment including a compass or a GPS. Properly check your engine before travelling.
“Ensure you have fuel, paddles, water and food. Do not over load your boats before traveling. Remember if you are unsure, stay ashore,” says Sau.
THE new date set for the commencement of the 2019 National General Elections voter registration is within the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission timeframe.
Earlier, the Commission announced the registration exercise will commence on Monday, August 20. Not long after, it issued a new date – Wednesday, September 3.
The new date was made known through SMS message Our Telekom sent out via mobile phones on Monday.
Some were quick to suspect the extension was due to funding.
There were couple of dates the Commission has been working on as commencement date for the registration. Among these initial dates were; Monday, August 20 and Monday, August 27.
The late date set was Wednesday, September 3. The Commission decided to go with this date. It was a decision made by the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer.
The last date means that it’s the final date the Commission will never go beyond. Any date beyond Wednesday, September 3 would fall outside the Commission’s registration programme timeframe.
The only thing that would potentially disrupt the Commission timeframe is natural disasters like cyclone.
As for now to Wednesday, September 3, the Commission continues with its training programs for officers who are being engaged to work in the registration exercise.
The Commission is using this extension to also sort out other technical things as part of its preparation for the exercise.
Updates about the Commission’s registration programme are expected to come out in SMS text messages and through radio messages.
These messages will guide voters on what to do before, during and after the registration period.
In its post on social media, the Commission stated that this registration to update the voter list used during the 2014 national general elections and it will target those who turn 18 years old this year and their names not in the list.
The update list will looks to capture new eligible voters, those who missed out from registration and those who want to update their details.
NENDE people call on the Government to stand ground over being challenged by the decision of the Mines Minister to cancel prospecting licence PL 01/16 over Nende Island in a Judicial Review Case.
Challenging the decision is Eight South Investment Pty Ltd in relation to High Court Case 224/18.
The landowners of Nende in their Press Release do not want the Government to succumb to ploy of Eight South Investment Pty Ltd for an out of Court settlement as noted in the mining company’s Report to Aus Stock exchange market on August 1, 2018 that there is a discussion on the arrangement with the Solomon Islands Government.
Nende people were aware that the cancellation was done by the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) Hon Bradley Tovosia in virtue of lawful cause and basis of which was set out in the cancellation letter by him being dated May 24, 2018, addressed to the Company.
“We landowners understand that the Minister exercised his powers under S71 (1), (a) and (b) of the Mines & Mineral Act to cancel the PL 01/16. In doing so by virtue of the operation of the relevant section conveyed in the cancellation letter that renders the PL01/16 null and void in its entirety.
“It is therefore relevant and appropriate at this moment to call on the Government that should the mining Company wish to challenge the cancellation of the PL 01/16, they should proceed with the judicial review case HC CC 224/18 as set out in s71(5) of the Mines & Mineral Act as the only avenue to challenge Ministers decision.
“Based on these observations, we landowners feel the Government should not give in to the mining company for an out of Court settlement as this would be in breach of s71(5) of the Act and further complicate the situation on the ground.
“We further note the Ministry of mines officials are on tour at Santa Cruz/Nende conducting awareness. While this is a statutory obligation of the Government, it is equally important to note and to acknowledge the sensitivity nature of this issues at this point in time hence, the need to thread carefully on core matters incidental to this issue.
“On that same note, we call on the Government not to invite any new application for reconnaissance and prospecting permit in Nende,” said Nende Landowners.
As stated in the cancellation letter also by the Minister of Mines on May 24, 2018 addressing it to the mining company, “Clause 8 of the Special Conditions (Third Schedule) of your prospecting licence states that in the event where the owners, occupiers or inhabitants of the area of your prospecting licence object the presence or the operations of the holder, the holder shall not enter, prospect or carryout operations in the area until amicable relationship have first been restored”.
“I thank you for your response to my letter of Show Cause which you failed to include a date and signature,” said Hon Tovosia to the Managing Director of AU Capital Mining Pty Ltd/Eight South Investment sighted in the letter.
“I have viewed your response to my letter of Show Cause and I would like to advice you that the issuance of the prospecting licence, PL 01/16, to your company was made after in pursuant to Section 19 a) and b) of the Mines and Minerals Act 1990 (the Act), the Minister was satisfied that you have the adequate financial resources, technical competence and experiences to carry out effective prospecting operations and that your prospecting programme is adequate for prospecting.
“Your rights and obligations as a prospecting license holder are clearly outlined in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The progress of your prospecting activities as indicated in your quarterly reports is not satisfactory.
“Therefore, as Minister responsible with the powers conferred to me under Section 71 (1), (a) and (b) of the Act, I hereby inform you that your prospecting license, PL 01/16, over Nende Island at Temotu Province is hereby cancelled and effective immediately.”
Attempts to get comment from Eight South Investment Pty Ltd yesterday were not possible.
ACCORDING to Taiwan’s Dr Yuan-Nian Hsu, CEO of Hospital and Social Welfare Organisations from the Administration Commission of Ministry of Health and Welfare, the leading cause of death in Solomon Islands is diabetes.
He voiced this whilst speaking to Island Sun yesterday at the Taiwan Health Centre.
Dr Hsu expressed that the Taiwan Health Centre (THC) has a very good master plan in helping to tackle the disease he brands “complicated” and wish to improve the health status of the people in Solomon Islands.
He added that THC’s focus on diabetes is moving towards nutritional education in effort to find solutions to battling the disease he says is more than just about the amputation of a leg.
“It is not just about amputating a foot. If you have diabetes for ten years, you can easily experience a stroke. If you have diabetes you can easily have heart attack. If you have diabetes you can easily have kidney diseases,” said Hsu.
On another note, he stated that the programmes carried out by THC will not stop today but continue for the next five to 10 years and depend on what services the people of Solomon Islands need most.
This Hsu explained will come from the ministry of health.
He went on to stress that they will also have some kind of survey and statistical data put together before they can conclude the most important things that need to be addressed.
Commenting on the progress made so far by THC and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Hsu said that the THC staff have done a great job, especially by utilizing the resources available and cooperating with multi partners to deliver their services.
Hsu is part of the Solomon Islands and Taiwan Health and Medical Services Cooperation Inspection Mission, who have recently arrived in the country to attend a workshop at NRH, donate medical supplies and inspect the Taiwan Health Mission operations.
THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has welcomed the return of the national carrier’s Airbus.
Solomon Airline’s flagship Airbus A320 arrived back in the country last Saturday after undergoing maintenance in Singapore.
As a Chamber representing businesses and the private sector, SICCI is excited that the national Airbus is now back on its normal overseas runs, particularly between Brisbane and Honiara.
SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Meone commended Solomon Airlines for resuming international flights with the national airbus despite all the challenges faced in terms of ensuring their fleet both domestic and international stay operational.
The CEO added this is good news for both travelling passengers and businesses and the same for economic activities in the country.
“Regular and reliable flights both domestically and internationally provides significant economic benefits to the economy and citizens,” Mr Meone said.
He said, transportation, in particular international flights, will go a long way in supporting and stimulating trade and tourism.
Meone said the return of the Airbus is really positive and will continue to support the increasing number of travellers experienced in recent times.
Meanwhile, Meone on behalf of SICCI members, appreciates the Government’s efforts to make sure that supporting infrastructure like roads are complete to complement activities of the airport and investors coming into the country.
“The upgrade of the Kukum Highway that is nearing completion is a testament of Government’s commitment not only to improve air transport service facilitation but also to cause the required linkage between the various transport modes in the country,” he said.
“As a country we will need to continue to invest in our infrastructure to support growth and encourage more investment,” added the CEO.
Now that the Solomon Airlines’ Airbus is back in the air, it will also assist in uplifting life-saving drugs for the National Referral Hospital, something SICCI also appreciates.
Treasurer, George Diudi hands over the funds raised by the Honiara Bands Association to Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela as members of the association looks on.
Treasurer, George Diudi hands over the funds raised by the Honiara Bands Association to Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela as members of the association looks on.
THE Honiara Band Association (HBA) has handed over $38,431 which it has raised towards the drug shortage in the country to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela.
The HBA has raised the funds through a series of musical concerts recently.
Prime Minister Hou acknowledges the Honiara Bands Association (HBA) for its initiative in supporting the drug shortage situation in the country.
The funds were handed to the Prime Minister at the Paul Tovua Complex yesterday afternoon.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chairman of HBA Benjamin Afuga said the group has decided to step in to raise funds to support the National Referral Hospital in response to the recent drug shortage issue.
He said that this is also part of the objectives of the association for its members to use their talents to give back to the community in such situations.
“We decided to handover the donation to you (Prime Minister) because of the leading role you have taken to address the issue of the recent drug shortage,” said Afuga.
In response, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude by the initiative taken by members of the association for going an extra mile to provide support towards the cause of charity.
“Such gesture shown by members of the local community is a reflection of the many ways Solomon Islanders can unite together to contribute positively to their communities,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that if other countries can use music to make a difference to the lives of their people; then the initiative taken by the Honiara Bands Association is an example of how our citizens can use their various talents to bring about change in our society.
According to Afuga, the Honiara Bands Association was initially formed to promote and encourage live bands, and to revive live music performances in the city.
Afuga also stressed that the association was also formed to bring together talented musicians who are unemployednd to engage them in ways that they can give back to their communities.
The association is currently made up of members from local bands in Honiara namely The Appointees Band, 2-4-1 Band, One Drop, Band Horizon, Jambuckz, Beanks and Black Wine Band.
THE national referral hospital is currently being boosted by Taiwanese help, however, it is reported that there is much more the country’s main hospital needs improvement on.
“So much has happened. The impact has been great for the hospital here and for the patients and of course for the mobile teams that have come as expressed in the report,” National Referral Hospital (NRH) CEO, Dr Steve Aumanu.
According to Aumanu, the hospital from collaborations with Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) through Honiara based Taiwan Health Centre (THC) is grateful to be able to provide clinical specialists, equipment and trainings.
“These are important areas of which under the collaboration we have benefited from. There’s a lot more we can engage in,” he said.
Aumanu however, stressed that while they are grateful that they can still maintain such service they would be happier if their services and facilities continue to improve and their human resources continue to be capacitated so that they can provide much needed improved health services to people of Solomon Islands.
He went on to say that as a manifestation of the mutually cordial relationship Solomon Islands has with the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan, they look forward to further collaborations.
“So I hope we can collaborate more and exchange views for the rest of the programmes,” said Aumanu.
He was speaking at an occasion yesterday at the Taiwan Health Centre attended by members of the Solomon Islands and Taiwan Health and Medical Services Cooperation Inspection Mission who recently arrived in the country to visit and see how the Taiwan Health Center has progressed with its projects at NRH.
