SOLOMON Islands is still experiencing an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD) but it can be controlled, it is reported.
Two specialists from Taiwan, Dr Li Cheng Yu and Dr Liu Kuan Fu have been helping the National Referral Hospital, Kukum Clinic, Rove Clinic and clinics in the Western province.
Both are supporting the health centre for four months.
During their service, they have found that NCD is an increasing burden in Solomon Islands similar to malaria cases.
Picture of a recommended healthy diet.
They say that in the four health centres they have worked in, they observe that majority of patients suffer from hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Patients include people above 40 years old and even children.
The challenge is more Solomon Islanders turn to ready-made foods rather than local foods; and adequate exercise is rarely promoted in societies while smoking and betel-nut eating can be seen among children.
Dr Yu said during their four-month they provided health awareness on NCD prevention, healthy diet and tobacco control to patients at clinics and helped review current referral protocol of diabetes and hypertension.
Dr Yu and Dr Fu explaining the diabetes disease.
To manage cases of NCD, Dr Yu and Dr Fu encourage citizens to do their shopping at the Honiara Central Market for garden foods rather than going to the shops.
Recommended steps to fight against diabetes include a 30 minute walk each day and drink more water and drink less soda.
Recommended healthy diet—amount per serve vegetable should half the plate at least two kinds, 1/4 starchy food such as rice, potato, bread and cassava etc.
Other 1/4 should include protein foods such as fish, lean meat, chicken and beans, etc.
“Do not forget to include low fat milk and fruits in your serve.”
PREMIER of Makira/Ulawa province has warned investors to go through the provincial government before pursuing development in the province.
Premier Stanley Siapu made the statement following a postponement in a MOU which was supposed to have been signed between landowners of Nafinua Island in Star Harbour and investors from Australia for a tourism project.
He said two months ago the MOU was prepared between Australian investors and landowners for tourism development in the area.
Unfortunately, Siapu said the MOU signing was rescheduled for a later date.
He says the province’s main concern is for investors who are interested in doing business in Makira-Ulawa to first consult with the provincial government.
Siapu said his government encourages development in the province, but there are processes to channel those development aspirations through before it can happen.
He appeals to landowners of Nafinua Island to understand the meaning behind his call on investors to first consult with the provincial government.
He explains that investors should not only consult landowners only, but must also consult with the provincial government.
Submarine cable linking Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
Submarine cable linking Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.
THE Government is not aware of the private undersea cable to be pulled from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.
Upon his return from Australia last week, Prime Minister (PM) Hou made an announcement to the media on the ‘private sea cable’ status. PM Hou says government have not had any consultations with the private firm nor been informed by the company running the cable from Vanuatu.
“So far we are not aware. We don’t know where it is. We don’t know who’s doing it. I’ve raised this matter with those in Papua New Guinea and Australian counterparts.
“Papua New Guinea in no uncertain terms will reject this. Australia of course said they’ve been approached but they’ve decline it. So we only have this one cable.”
Hou says anyone or anybody wanting to do anything of this sort must take the right protocols and take the right channels, if they want government to be involved.
However Island Sun understands that Interchange, a private owned company, based in Vanuatu has a valid licence to operate in Solomon Islands since 2013.
In an earlier correspondence to Island Sun, Interchange’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Fletcher says this installation of the undersea cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands will cost them USD30 million.
But Hou says what they are concerned about is how government is kept in the dark on such development activity.
“The issue I have here is that government is hearing this through the news. That I don’t like. They should come straight to the government,” he said.
“Maybe some officials in government know about this, but for me, I don’t know.”
He said for the three countries that have signed the agreement last week, there is only one cable that they know of and will support. It is the Coral Sea cable.
“We have not been informed of it from the people running it or the Vanuatu Government,” Hou says of the ICN2 Cable.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Interchange Company, Simon Fletcher says he will be much honoured to meet with Prime Minister Hou and to present their project to the government of Solomon Islands. However he says there was no invitation extended to Interchange.
“We hold a valid telecommunications license, Foreign Investment Board Approval, Environment and Construction permit. Our supplier TE SubCom has commenced the construction phase of the project,” Fletcher says.
He said they are proceeding with the ICN2 cable as construction phase has commenced and they expect the cable to be brought into commercial service on 9th November 2019. In February this year, Vanuatu’s Daily Post reported they are worried Australian security concerns might be used as an excuse to sideline or even stifle Melanesian-owned and operated businesses.
Nevertheless they say they want to see the cable move ahead as it would effectively close the loop in a genuinely trans-Melanesian network. The ICN2 link from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands is designed to provide initial 200G high-capacity access.
Vanuatu’s National Provident Fund holds 37.5 percent shares of Interchange Ltd, with Vanuatu’s Government and Post holding 6.25 percent respectively and the other 50 percent privately held.
In February this year, Government of Vanuatu was presented its first dividend cheque of VT21 million by Interchange Cable.
Interchange limited have had their first cable ICN1 linking Fiji to Vanuatu in 2014. It was only last month that TE SubCom has won a contract to construct the ICN2 submarine cable that will connect Port Vila, Luganville (Vanuatu) and Honiara.
TE SubCom is highly reputable as they were also selected to supply the North Atlantic Hafvrue cable system which will connect mainland Europe to the United States.
THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has convened an urgent meeting yesterday involving all key stakeholders within the ministry.
The meeting was convened following the emergency Government Caucus meeting over the weekend.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Health Dr Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u which was also attended by his Permanent Secretary and Under Secretary, the Ministry’s procurement team; the NRH Medical Superintendent, Heads of clinical Departments at the NRH, heads of the Allied Health Services, Nursing, Hospital Pharmacy, the NRH Procurement services; the Director and staff of the National Medical Stores; the Director of the Honiara City Council Health Services and the team from the OPMC.
The meeting purposely sought to ensure that all the stakeholders came together to:
Discuss and have the same understanding on the current shortage of drugs and supplies in the country and;
Agree on the best solution going forward.
It was also noted in the meeting that;
There are critical shortages in many essential drugs and supplies at the NRH;
Two provinces had adequate supplies for up to 2 months (Malaita province) and 3 months (Temotu);
Many other provinces have stocks in some items and low or zero stock on other items;
Replacement stocks of some of the items have started arriving in the country from last week and are being shifted to NRH,
All the orders of drugs and supplies have started arriving with the last lot expected to arrive in October 2018;
The meeting also acknowledged a comprehensive matrix on the status of drugs and supplies conducted by the NRH.
It has also requested the pharmacy and procurement staff with assistance from the clinical departments to include information on the National Medical Stores holdings as well as all provinces to ensure it presents the full picture of drugs supply available in the country.
The meeting will reconvene today afternoon to review the status of the national drug supply which will determine whether additional measures are required to ensure essential drugs are made available as soon as possible under other possible arrangements.
The OPMC and MHMS will provide further updates following tomorrow’s joint comprehensive assessments on the situation.
A 30-year-old woman has been arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting her 62-year-old mother-in- law at Halavo Village, in Big Ngella, Central Province on July 10, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Central Province Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “The victim is currently admitted at the Tulagi Hospital with swollen ribs, hands and face.
“My officers received the report on July 10 and they attended to it on the July 11, 2018.
“It was alleged that the victim arrived home after been to the garden when she was accused by the alleged suspect as to why her son (her brother in-law) charging his battery using her (the suspect’s) solar.
“The suspect was reportedly very angry and allegedly bashed her mother in-law and damaged her properties.
“She also damaged her brother in-law’s properties.
“I wish to remind all good families of Central Province not to resort to violence if there is any disagreement within the family.
“There are peaceful ways to address problems.
“I also wish to thank my hard working officers for attending to the report in a timely manner.”
The suspect will appear in court at a later date for her trial.
AFTER five years of being buried under the carpet, police have finally confirmed it is investigating a case of infanticide or intentional killing of an infant within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
Island Sun was told the incident occurred in 2013, when a female studying at the Police Academy allegedly became pregnant.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged killing are not known.
“The top echelon of the Academy has been aware of this case but they have decided to keep quiet about it,” sources told Island Sun.
It is unclear whether the woman graduated from the Academy.
Sources told Island the woman was never a commissioned officer, but she continues to draw her salary from the RSIPF payroll.
It is understood that unless you are a commissioned officer you are not eligible to be on the RSIPF payroll.
“You are either a commissioned officer, which qualifies you to be on the RSIPF Payroll or you are a public servant which means you will be paid as a public servant. You can never be both at the same time,” the sources told Island Sun on the weekend.
Island Sun was told the matter was never investigated despite the top echelon of the RSIPF being aware of the case.
The Commissioner of Police was kept in the dark about the case, perhaps until now, the sources said.
In response to questions raised by Island Sun, the RSIP Media Unit issued the following comments.
“The current Commissioner is aware of this historical allegation. However, this matter is alleged to have occurred over 5 years ago and it is important to emphasise that no criminal allegations have yet been proven or substantiated.
“The matter is presently under inquiry within RSIPF and for legal reasons it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. “
Infanticide (or infant homicide) is the intentional killing of infants.
Parental infanticide researchers have found that mothers are far more likely than fathers to be the perpetrator for neonaticide and slightly more likely to commit infanticide in general.
Infanticide is a crime which carry less severe penalty than murder.
In English law for example infanticide is established as a distinct offence by the Infanticide Acts.
Defined as the killing of a child under 12 months of age by their mother, the effect of the Acts are to establish a partial defence to charges of murder.
Hon Mewa was sworn in as the new Minister for Peace & Reconciliation yesterday morning by acting GG Sir Albert Palmer.
Hon Mewa was sworn in as the new Minister for Peace & Reconciliation yesterday morning by acting GG Sir Albert Palmer.
MEMBER of Parliament for Temotu Nende Constituency, Commins Ashton Mewa, has been sworn in yesterday as the new Minister of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP).
Mewa replaces former Minister and Member of Parliament for East Central Guadalcanal Constituency, Ishmael Avui.
Mewa was sworn in at the Government House by the acting Governor General Sir Albert Palmer and witnessed by the Prime Minister, his cabinet members, government backbenchers and senior government officials.
Western Province Director of Health Services, Dr Dickson Boara.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
Western Province Director of Health Services, Dr Dickson Boara.
HOSPITALS, clinics and area health centres across the Western province are feeling the brunt of the drug shortage problem, which is also felt in Honiara and other provinces.
Western Province Director of Health Services, Dr Dickson Boara told Island Sun that the national ministry of health is working tirelessly to address the problem.
He adds that in the Western province, the worst hit are the people in the rural areas.
He said the Gizo medical pharmacy is strictly monitoring drug administration as means of economising the usage of drugs during this time.
“One strategy which was introduced at the Gizo Hospital was to properly manage drugs issued on daily basis.
“We now focus our attention on critically ill patients as well as all our prioritized patients at the Hospital.
“We only attend to in-patients already admitted at the Hospital and emergency cases, but he confirmed that the number of in-patient at the Hospital is manageable.”
Meanwhile, he encourages people to take preventative measures against sickness.
Dr Rooney Jagilly receive donation from the Taiwan Deputy Counselor Mr Oliver Weng with other members of the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Dr Rooney Jagilly receive donation from the Taiwan Deputy Counselor Mr Oliver Weng with other members of the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands
THE Republic of China (Taiwan), through its embassy in Honiara, on Tuesday donated medical supplies to the National Referral Hospital’s operation theatre and surgical ward as a quick response to the country’s current drug shortage.
The donation targets NRH’s operation theatre, mainly to meet emergency cases while waiting for medical supplies from the Solomon Islands Government and other funding agencies.
The donation comprises of gauzes, bandage, barrier surgical gowns, gloves, laryngeal mask airways, endo tubes, ambu mask, filters, surgical sutures and Nasogastric tubes, Foley tubes, microsurgery knifes, blades, haemostats, anesthetic and disinfection agents.
The medical equipment had cost Taiwan’s Government SBD$80,000.
The assistance has been described as timely and could not have come at a better time by NRH’s acting chief executive officer, Dr Rooney Jagilly.
He adds that the recipients will be the NRH’s operation theatre and surgical ward. Other province’s will receive theirs later.
Jagilly also mentions that the drug shortage is not only experienced in Honiara alone, but is felt nationwide.
He adds that his ministry is actively addressing the matter.
Jagilly thanked the Taiwanese Government through its Embassy for ‘such a generous donation’.
Taiwan Deputy Counselor Mr Oliver Weng said supporting NRH is what Taiwan always does since both countries are good friends – and if there is a need Taiwan will always help.
“Chief of the Taiwan Health Centre under the instruction of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, they were working very hard and closely with the NRH and they are aware of the case so they made a quick response to help the situation.
“I can guarantee you such corporation between Taiwan and Solomon Islands in health sectors are very positive and we will always willing to help if there is any need,” Weng said.
DECLINE in logging will see agriculture pick up downfall in revenue to stabilise the economy said the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
This is if through serious allocation for more support to address the constraints the agriculture sector is facing to compete in trade.
MAL’s PS Mr Oswald Ramo, during the launching of Solomon Islands Enhancing Capacities for Agriculture Trade (SIECAT) project on Monday, said agriculture plays a major role in Solomon Islands employing an estimated 84 percent of the population comprising of 40 percent of the national GDP, along with Fisheries and Forestry.
“MAL in collaboration with other ministries and stakeholders need to strengthen and be strategic and more precise in what to achieve to address agriculture in trade going forward,” said MAL’s PS.
He said there is an urgent need now than ever to device good policy and institutional environment to enhance going into agriculture exports and value additions.
“We need to put more resources in agriculture to build research facilities that allows research and innovation, capacity to improve and support the Ministry’s planning department. We need economist, capacity in livestock, support to boost extension, biosecurity to support our farmers which will support more investment in agriculture economy,” Ramo said.
He also noted that the SIECAT project will enhance the capacities of national agencies to meet international market standards and requirements.
“Accreditation and recognition of the national agencies/labs is vital.
“Having accredited facilities will give more confidence to our importers and will also help local companies to test and analyse their product to meet standards,” explained MAL’s PS.
He said this is very important and it is one of the barriers the country continues to face when trying to export agriculture products overseas.
“There is no short cut in trade. Importing countries always demand that certain standards must be met first to allow products and export to pass through their borders”
“To be able to trade in agriculture, you not only need to be well versed with the systems, but must have the appropriate faculties, capacity, good communication with all stakeholders, financial support and the resources to be able to produce and analyse or test your product,” Ramo explained.
MAL’s PS urges that it is a challenge everyone must all work together to overcome.
He reminded that despite of the recognition that agriculture is the major subsistence economy and priority sector that rural and urban people survive on, it has lack of support in terms of providing appropriate facilities and farm inputs, machineries and acquiring new knowledge and skills in farming.
MAL’s PS pointed that these are some of the challenges currently faced that impede Solomon Islands to participate fully in trade.
