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World TB Day finally marks a promising shift

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Stakeholder representatives in a group photo.

BY Tanny.E.Vahi

THE commemoration of the World TB Day has raised public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

With the theme; “Leaders Lets Work Together For a TB Free Solomon Islands”, it was commemorated at the SIBC leaf hut with participants from different various health departments attending it.

The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

The theme World TB Day 2018 – Leaders Lets Work Together For a TB Free Solomon Islands focuses on building commitment to end TB, not only at the political level with Heads of State and Ministers of Health, but at all levels from Mayors, Governors, parliamentarians and community leaders, to people affected with TB, civil society advocates, health workers, doctors or nurses, NGOs and other partners. All can be leaders of efforts to end TB in their own work or terrain.

Stakeholder representatives in a group photo.

Last year, WHO reported that 10.4 million people fell ill with TB and there were 1.8 million TB deaths in 2016, making it the top infectious killer worldwide. This disease is deeply rooted in populations where human rights and dignity are limited. While anyone can contract TB, the disease thrives among people living in poverty, communities and groups that are marginalized, and other vulnerable populations.

These include: migrants, ethnic minorities, miners and others working and living in risk-prone settings, the elderly, marginalised women and children in many settings etc. Factors such as malnutrition, poor housing and sanitation, compounded by other risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use and diabetes, affect vulnerability to TB and access to care.

Furthermore, this access is often hindered by catastrophic costs associated with illness, seeking and staying in care, and lack of social protection, resulting in a vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health. The transmission of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) adds great urgency to these concerns.

In their speeches advocators from the ministry of health organisations and ministries, based on the theme, highlights concerns by this public health problem to increase the efforts to make the goal of universal access to TB prevention and care achievable through meaningful involvement in and support to the interventions planned In the TB national strategic plan, most of them operationalised in the Global Fund New Funding model project that was approved after successful submission by the Solomon Islands in 2014 and again in 2017. This will help cut further the transmission chain of the disease while reducing human suffering and adverse economic consequences of the diseases.

In the final and keynote address for the celebration, Nemia Bainivalu Under Secretary, Health Improvement highlights the challenges of the programme

“Despite the successes, the TB programme still faces with some challenges: Inadequate case detection activities, limited Community-Based Directly Observed Treatment, short-course (CB-DOTs), inadequate TB/HIV services and inadequate quality assurance,” he said.

He also noted that the programme needs to intensify the case detection effort to find others.

“We need to find, treat and cure them thereby cutting the chain of transmission of the diseases in the communities and at the same time reducing human suffering and adverse economic consequences of the disease,” he added.

Isabel to host first Phoga festival

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

AFTER Isabel province hosts its second Kodili Festival Arts at Buala Township this June 2018, a new programme called the Phoga festival will be launched.

Hosted by the Maringe Highlands of Isabel province, the festival will be held at Tirotonna Village in July.

Festival coordinator Norman Advent said the festival would be held from July 3-8.

It was initiated by the youth leaders following a meeting at Tirotonna Village in July 2016.

He said the objective of the Phoga Festival is to promote heritage, culture and spiritual values, allow creativity and innovation for youths, encourage leadership and integrity and access to relevant information on issues affecting youth.

Mr Advent said the Phoga Festival also aims at encouraging healthy lifestyle for youths, helping to appreciate our sovereignty and unite youths in sports and recreational activities.

A range of activities; demonstration of traditional food preparation, local arts and crafts, cultural dancing, awareness talks and sporting activities are being planned for the festival.

Kodili festival will be held on June 25-29, 2018.

Novel diagnostic tool for TB finalised

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A diagnosis approach on Tuberculosis (TB) based on the universal use in the country of a novel diagnostic tool is being finalised.

According to the Undersecretary for Health Improvement under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dr Nemia Bainivalu, he said the diagnostic tool allows a rapid diagnosis of TB and drug resistance in few hours.

“In this regard, MHMS is mindful of the need of research to find out the optimal operational and implementation approaches to use newly introduced technologies, strategies and interventions hence the development of a national TB Operational Research Plan,” said Mr Bainivalu.

“MHMS, the National Tuberculosis Programme and their partners are expecting that this campaign will result in increased demand for TB services by the population after informing people about the availability of TB services for free all over the country.

“This includes additional domestic and donor funding and new partners mobilised to address TB in their work especially community representatives and members.”

MHMS celebrated World Tuberculosis (TB) Day yesterday at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Leaf Hut that is annually marked on March 24.

The Theme for World TB Day celebrated was “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world”.

Solomon Housing on the roll

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SHL 2 bedroom house at Kombevatu

WITH the vision to provide durable, affordable and quality homes in the country, Solomon Housing Limited (SHL) is now on the roll to sell its remaining houses at Kombevatu.

With a different market approach, yesterday SHL did a presentation for staff of Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) showcasing the houses in general through a presentation slide at the Central Bank’s complex.

Carrying out the presentation SHL Lending Officer, Algren Gilbert says the 12 houses that they have shown in the slides are two bedroom houses.

“The houses that you see, we have different contractors that built the houses and we do not deal with only one contractor but have different contractors,” Mr Gilbert says.

He revealed that the houses are selling at SBD$500,000.

With that a CBSI staff says the staff listening to the presentation are not familiar with how the housing market and building works.

Thus it is very important that these staff are made aware of the nitty gritty stuff of housing, construction and costs involved.

Responding to the comment and questions raised on the cost of a house, General Manager of SHL acknowledged the cost to be at the high end as it covers every aspect of home building that includes materials, labour, land, road, drainage, connection of water and electricity.

CBSI staff listening to SHL presentation

He says with the houses, buyers will only need to purchase the house before having the title transferred to them.

He says buyers will only need to look for money or consult the banks for assistance through their lending schemes.

Also SHL General Manager says they support local Solomon Islanders with house plans that costs only $1500 but includes the material breakdown and the costings as well.

“This is one way in which we can assist locals to build a good house for their families. As you know, housing plans by architects are costly and not only that, going through the Town and Country Planning Board would be a tedious process and one that can be avoided since the building plan issued by SHL are already passed by the Board.”

Housing is a longtime issue for Solomon Islanders living in Honiara with most city dwellers residing in informal settlements where it is much cheaper and affordable for them.

SHL currently has a five year Strategy (2017-2022) that sets the scope of its operations.

From the presentation yesterday, hope now was for the day when SINPF can set up a lending facility so SINPF members can loan from it to acquire homes built by SHL.

Ministry of culture pursues heritage law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

THE Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) is pursuing a heritage law for the country.

Director of the National Museum, Tony Heorake, confirmed this when appearing before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week.

Mr Heorake said they are working on the National Heritage bill that would cover all heritage aspects of the country including history, culture, environment and so forth.

He said the Attorney General’s chamber has prepared a bill.

Heorake said they are currently finalising the draft bill and as soon as they are done with it, they will take the bill out for consultation with stakeholders.

He said this is one of the two exciting programs his department is working on.

The other is the plan to build a museum dedicated for locals who involved in World War II as scouts and coast watchers.

Heorake said they are teaming with the British High Commission Office here on this “exciting project”.

He said the British High Commission office has provided money toward this project.

Currently, Heorake said they are working on the concept plan. An architectural plan will be developed based on this concept plan.

The site where the auditorium building at the national museum sits is been earmarked for this proposed museum building.

The director of museum said this museum will be the place that tells the stories of local scouts and coast watchers and their contribution to the Second World War.

He said their involvement in the war is now become part of the country’s heritage.

Election Day and AGM for SICCI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
SICCI Board members for 2017 - 2018

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

WITH the dawn of election-day for Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), Jay Bartlett, Director of Hatanga Limited stands unopposed as Chairperson of SICCI.

Mr Bartlett, often described as a young visionary leader, has been the SICCI Board Chair since 2015 and has been an effective advocator and voice for the private sector ever since he took up leadership roles in SICCI.

SICCI is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, with the election of new board members as an important part of today’s session. For election of board members, 12 nominations have been received by SICCI office with a fair good number of both genders now set to go before members in the AGM.

For the Vice President posts, the combat now is between Julie Haro, Managing Director Premiere Group of Companies and David Rupokets, Managing Director Capital Construction PTY Ltd.

For Board member positions, nominees are Belinda Botha of Dive Munda, Lyn Fa’arodo of Bank South Pacific (BSP), Craig Gibsone of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL), Joseph Huta of South Pacific Oil, Samantha Maeke of Pacific Horticultural Marketing Access (PHAMA), Sohaib Mahmood of ANZ Bank, Anna Masioa of United Risk Services Ltd, Sir Bruce Saunders of AJ & G Blum Ltd and Frank Wickham of National Fisheries Development (NFD) Ltd.

Meanwhile, unopposed Chairperson, Bartlett says his vision for SICCI is for it to be an effective advocator and voice for its members and the wider community.

Also for SICCI to continue to strengthen and develop its relationship between the government and local business and all other local, regional and international stakeholders that SICCI engage with.

“Internally I’d like to continue to build on the achievement we have made to date with the leadership team and office to ensure that we as an organisation are committed to meeting and exceeding member’s expectations and to ensure the viability and sustainability of SICCI in the medium to long term.”

SICCI has well over 200 members and is the peak representative organisation for the private sector in Solomon Islands. 60 percent of its membership is made up of Small Medium enterprises employing less than 20 employees. It also has a number of affiliations to other national private sector organisations.

SICCI has an office that oversee the administrative work for the private sector with Dennis Meone as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). All members of SICCI are being called on to attend the AGM today at Heritage Park Hotel.

SICCI Board members for 2017 – 2018

Talasasa slams timing of budget hearing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Provincial Member for Nusa Roviana and ward 16, Ramrakha Talasasa

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

Provincial Member for Nusa Roviana and ward 16, Ramrakha Talasasa during debating Western Province 2017/2018 supplementary appropriate (N0.1) Bill at Women Resource Centre on Monday.

THE Western provincial government has come under fire for tabling its draft revised budget 2017/2018 at an ‘inconvenient and awkward time’.

Non-executive MPA Ramrakha Talasasa (member for ward 16) blames the western provincial executive for negligence in tabling a revised budget which has already been spent “some 12 months ago”.

On Monday this week, the Western provincial assembly sat over its draft revised budget 2017/2018. It was successfully passed.

However, Mr Talasasa says the inconvenient and awkward timing of the sitting does not allow for thorough and necessary reviews to be made on the budget, which he says would have otherwise ensured maximum productivity and equity for the government.

“The deliberate negligence of holding a mid-term review, allows deviations from assembly directions being set up almost exactly 12 months ago in the effort of having a sound financial management practice to allow divisional objective from being side tracked by unnecessary variances incurred through over spending by the provincial executive and under spendings by provincial government divisions.

“This imbalance has becoming a common practice and a reflection on exactly the kind of behaviour we criticise of the Unitary system being evident at the provincial level where compliance is only a matter for discussion political wills.

“Physical discipline in the economy of western province is very important and this is to ensure that we have the right business environment.

“This is to allow a boost in economic activities, setting standards by which we conduct development in our urban centres, allowing a give and take system whereby people pay taxes, rates or licenses, for actually receiving services such as proper roads and access, proper water supply, proper ground works and planning done before allocating land to successful applicants, appropriate infrastructures, establish economic base infrastructures, support health and education services and advance government policies.”

He said the province’s government must seriously allow for these needs to be addressed in the provincial government level.

Meanwhile, the second session for the Assembly to debate the new budget for 2018/2019 will be held at the Women Resource centre today at 9am.

Thumbs up SIPEU

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Dear editor,

PLEASE allow me space to give my acknowledgement and support to the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPU) to pursue an action to ensure the Long Service Benefit for retired public servants is tax excepted.

I understand the Union met with Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela early this year to discuss the issue of avoiding tax from LBS.

Whether the issue is taken onboard by government or not, I believe SIPU has taken a major step to address the concern of retired public servants.

This has shown SIPU’s commitment to serve the interest of public employees.

Singing the same chorus with SIPU, retired public servants deserve their full benefit as a token of appreciation from the government for their hard work in the public service.

They have been paying taxes during their term so what’s the reason for deducting taxes from their last hope of benefit.

I know the government has its own reason for deducting tax from LBS.

Meanwhile, I would like to see the government to consider and take action into the recommendations submitted by SIPU to ensure the benefit is not taxed.

If there is a need to review and amend the country’s taxation law, I would like to see the government consider this for the sake of our retired Public Servants.

This is to ensure our retired Public Servants are treated fairly when it comes to taxing their benefits.

For SIPU you have done a great job and you deserve an acknowledgement for you are serving the interest of retired public servants or those who may be affected by this deduction.

My God be with you SIPU as u strive to serve the interest of public employees.

Fredrick Kusu

USP SI Campus

Keep Honiara clean

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, as an indigenous and concerned Solomon Islander, I raise my concerns on why Honiara needs to be clean. Ministry of Infrastructure and Rural Development, Honiara City Council and other responsible authorities are urged to consider this.

Cleanliness is an issue in our town. As highlighted in a statement made by the Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan in Solomon Star on February 26, 2018, which says, “We need clean Honiara for 2023 Pacific Games”. It is obvious that rubbish such as empty plastics and cans can be seen along the streets of Honiara every day. Dust is experienced almost everywhere in the street. Betel nut stains are seen on the walls of some shops and along some streets of Honiara town. These factors have therefore, contributed to the uncleanliness of our town.

Honiara needs a clean environment for our health and to encourage visitors and business people coming into our country. To improve this area, installing more bins along the streets and regular collection of rubbish everywhere in Honiara must be carried out effectively. All shops and restaurants must have adequate rubbish bins and, betel nuts selling along the streets of Honiara must thoroughly banned. Policies on public littering including their heavy penalties must be strongly exercised. Conducting awareness programmes on littering and recycling process for recycle waste materials are another way forward to have clean environment in Honiara town. These opinions are therefore, regarded as way forward to keep Honiara clean. Furthermore, they only work out once they are effectively carried out.

Here I would like to urge all Solomon Islanders to be responsible and care for our beloved city, Honiara. Besides, I want to call upon responsible authorities to put more emphasis on this issue. Let us work together to improve the standard of our town. With that, I believed my suggestions can be heard by the public.

Francis Tahokeni

USP Laucal campus

Honiara city enforcement litter bylaw

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, while this has raised concern to Honiara City Council that “Enforcement of litter Bylaw” is no longer implemented and power to embark at silence. The authority must seriously look into this problem that continue to degrade the environment, social and economic development in the city.

Honiara City Council (Litter Bill 2009) was enacted and strongly imposed all citizen to respect this bylaw and make sure that disposal of rubbish is manageable by individuals. For example, prolong to eradicate betel nut spiting along the street of Honiara City is alarming and create unhealthy lifestyle, escalating majority of people continue denial with unrealistic behaviour.

Rectifying the situation, the authority must review its policy to enact rules put in place and those who break this bylaw are penalise. Therefore, all citizen must feel responsible since social impact of this problem is sky-rocketing and people need transformation. Practically, people cultural norms, social behaviour and attitude must intact within the authority regulation.

Finally, analysing this problem the authority must accentuate this bylaw in a holistic approach through learning institutions in the country whilst educational dialogue must transmitted to embrace strong networking in the society.   Respectively, awareness programme and social media are emphasise to eradicate this problem in the city.

The authority is strongly encourage to evaluate the root cause of this problem in order to implement this bylaw. Clean environment is consolidating to tourism industry and eminent to economic development in the country.

Alfred M

USP Student

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