BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Staff of Naha clinic have gone through awareness on breast cancer.

The Naha Clinic in Honiara occasionally organised educational awareness for its staff and mothers around the Naha vicinity.

This session was conducted with the support of the JICA Volunteer Program (Japan International Cooperation Agency), Naha clinic said on its official Facebook Page.

According to the post, staff members of Naha Clinic participated in a one-day educational session on breast cancer at the clinic on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The Clinic understands that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and can be checked by a woman by herself every month through breast self-examination.

During the session, staff participated in a simple breast model with three lumps and practised breast self-examination together.

Staff also discussed why breast cancer is increasing, whether it affects only women, the best time to perform breast self-examination, and how early detection is possible.

The statement said the aim of this awareness is to share this knowledge with mothers to help them maintain their health.

The clinic has also offered group education for mothers at the clinic every Monday morning.

The statement said that the topics covered include; how pregnancy happens, who is a high-risk pregnant mother, what syphilis is, what family planning is, what danger signs are, and what happens if you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or other health problems.

Mothers were also taught about danger signs in pregnancy.

The clinic told mothers about changes that can happen in their bodies and to their baby during pregnancy, and also noted the problems that can be serious if they are not checked early.

The statement said the clinic also urges mothers to understand why regular antenatal checkups are very important, as they help them to monitor the health of both mother and baby.

“We are here to support you at the clinic, but we cannot be with you all the time. You are the only person who can protect your baby and your baby’s future. Please come for antenatal checkups regularly. Let’s learn together and protect your baby and your baby’s future,” said the statement from Naha Clinic.

Photo credit: Naha clinic

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Located far inwards of Wanderer Bay, West Guadalcanal is Wanderer Bay clinic built in 2017.

To get there requires a lengthy walk-through small streams, plants, trees and coconut trees with palms spread way up in the air swaying to the rhythm of the breeze on a sunny day.

Bendita Piri, a soft-spoken woman and wife of the Chief of St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Community in Wanderer Bay in a sit-down interview with Island Sun in Wanderer Bay just last month spoke about the clinic.

Interestingly, she shares more than that.

Behind her kind eyes and calm smiles, since 1994, Piri has been helping women of Wanderer Bay community to deliver their babies right at home.

Piri says although the clinic is well equipped to cater to children, members of the community and pregnant women, the issue is the clinic not having a permanent nurse posted there.

She explained that there is usually only one nurse that is posted at the clinic for a period of time before being replaced by another nurse.

At one point, Piri said a nurse who was posted there left simply because some members of the community had caused problems for him or her.

She said the real challenge for Wanderer Bay is when the clinic is without a nurse.

In this circumstance, Piri says people would have to travel to Tanagarare, also in West Guadalcanal to access medical services and getting there means spending money on petrol at around $400 for both ways to travel by boat.

When asked about the situation of someone who needed to travel there but didn’t have money, she said the community usually steps in to help.

There is also an incomplete staff house near the clinic close to a small house built to accommodate whichever nurse is posted at the clinic.

Built in 2023, the supposed staff house only has posts standing to this day.

Piri says they want at least two nurses to be posted at their clinic because it is too much workload for just one nurse to handle.

She then spoke about her experience of helping women of Wanderer Bay to deliver their babies at home.

Piri lights up and smiles as she told her story.

Since 1994, she said she has been helping women deliver their babies at home especially during times when there wasn’t a clinic in Wanderer Bay and even up till now if there wasn’t a nurse stationed at the clinic.

“I have been helping women deliver their babies since 1994 up to today,” she said.

Piri said she would be approached at any time of the day, night or later hours of the night while asleep to go to a pregnant woman’s house to help her deliver her baby.

But at times when a nurse is present, she would accompany the pregnant woman to the clinic and assist the nurse.

“Sometimes after helping them at the clinic, I also travel with them all the way to the National Referral Hospital,” she added.

Confidently, Piri said in each of these cases she always places her faith in God and prayer for guidance to help the women.

Carol, a woman from Sughu community which is next door to Piri’s community also shared her story with Island Sun about her experience with Piri.

She said when she was pregnant Piri also came to see her and help with the delivery of her baby.

At the time, Carol said just by looking at her, Piri could tell when she would deliver her baby.

Prior to the delivery she said Piri in a soft-spoken manner would encourage her to stand and walk around so she could give birth to her baby quickly and avoid complication.

“And she could tell when I was about to deliver my baby.

“At that time, she told me to lay down and that I was going to deliver my baby soon which was what exactly happened next,” said Carol.

She happily expressed that at that time she felt comforted and safe to deliver her baby with Piri’s help.

“The tone of her voice is comforting and what she said made me feel safe to deliver my baby in the village.

“So, I wasn’t scared to deliver my baby at home,” said Carol.

Piri, apart from being wife of the Chief of her community, was her own person.

She was a happy, strong woman who spent her time willingly at any time of the day or night to help pregnant women of her community so they could safely deliver their babies.

Piri was and to this day, is a passionate community midwife to the women she has helped and to those she will help in Wanderer Bay, West Guadalcanal.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Taeloa Clinic project, championed by the late Daniel Suidani, former Premier of Malaita Province and Member of Malaita Provincial Assembly for Ward 5, West Baegu/Fataleka, is gradually taking shape.

This progress follows the formal project-implementation agreement signed in March 2025 between the Japanese Embassy in Honiara and a committee representing Ward 5.

In addition to the clinic itself, the project also includes a water supply system, designed to support the clinic’s operations and provide improved access to clean water for communities within Taeloa.

The project is currently at the walling stage, with roofing and other phases still to come.

Once completed, the clinic is expected to address the long-standing challenge the communities of Ward 5 have faced in accessing healthcare.

In a statement from 2025 from the late Suidani, he emphasized the significance of the clinic for the people of West Fataleka.

For decades, residents had to walk long distances to the nearest clinics in Fauabu and Arao.

“The clinic will be a relief for my people. They will no longer have to travel such long distances to access healthcare and clean water,” he said.

The late Suidani had also acknowledged Japan’s long-standing support for development in Solomon Islands, noting that Japan had funded major projects in Malaita, including the Auki Wharf and Auki Market.

“They are also funding the ongoing improvements at Kilu’ufi Hospital,” he said in the statement.

He had also called on the people of Ward 5 to support the project in every way possible, encouraging them to contribute any available resources to help ensure the project is completed within its 11-month timeframe.

The former Premier of Malaita also said that such a project is community-based and they must show their support for it and ensure it is successfully implemented.

In the statement, he also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Japanese Ambassador and his successor for their efforts in ensuring that the project was approved and prioritized for the people of Ward 5.

This multi-million-dollar project is expected to be completed later this year.

Photo credit: Nohkcy Suidani

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Choiseul Bay town in the Choiseul province is undergoing transformation in infrastructural development, and the provincial leadership is impressed.

Premier of Choiseul Province, Harison Pitakaka, has welcomed the ongoing road works under the Choiseul Bay Township Project (CBTP), describing the development as a critical milestone now gaining momentum.

Speaking to Island Sun from Taro yesterday, Premier Pitakaka said the project reflects the collective aspirations of the people of Choiseul and their commitment to contribute to national development.

“This is a critical development that is now gaining momentum,” Pitakaka said.

He thanked the national government, the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), for its continued funding support through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) development budget.

“I would like to thank the national government, especially the GNUT government, for its ongoing support through MPGIS in helping my province.

“This development is fully supported by our people and aligns with our many development plans,” he said.

The Premier also highlighted the involvement of development partners in other key areas of the Choiseul Bay Township, including watershed development initiatives.

“Beyond road construction and clearance, we also have important support from our development partners, including The Nature Conservancy, working with landowners and the Choiseul Provincial Government on watershed development within the township area,” he said.

With the Choiseul Bay Township recently elevated to a national project, Premier Pitakaka called on all leaders and people of Choiseul to support the initiative.

“Now that the Choiseul Bay Township has been elevated to a national project, I call on all good people of Choiseul and leaders at every level to fully support this endeavour,” he said.

He also acknowledged the efforts of contractors and their workers on site and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working closely with GNUT and development partners throughout 2026.

“This year, my government will continue to work with the GNUT government and our development partners for both technical assistance and funding opportunities. Together, we can make it,” Premier Pitakaka said.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has confirmed that road construction works under the Choiseul Bay Township Project (CBTP) are progressing well, with significant milestones achieved on key road networks.

Local contractor FT Builders and Civil Works began grubbing and clearance last year and has since undertaken rehabilitation works that will form the foundation for connectivity within the new township. Completion of this unsealed road is expected by June 2026.

At the same time, another local contractor, Central Islands Civil Construction Ltd (CICC), has commenced work on Lot 9 – Tarekukure Road Network, after mobilising machinery to the site earlier this week.

CBTP Manager Isaac Lekelalu said the works are scheduled for completion within a seven-month timeframe.

Funded through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) in partnership with the Choiseul Provincial Government, the project includes road alignments, drainage systems, culverts, and bridge structures to support future township developments.

The road network will connect sites earmarked for a new hospital, light industries, a cemetery, and other planned facilities.

Photo credit : MID

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Ministry of Infrastructure calls on owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Vehicle owners have been urged to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), through the Road Transport Board Task Force, made the call in a statement yesterday.

“Get your vehicle inspected. Don’t wait for a check to find out your vehicle isn’t up to code. As the Road Transport Board Task Force continues its traffic checks and patrols across the city, now is the time to ensure you are fully compliant,” MID said in the statement.

MID said the process requires vehicle owners to pay their fees either at the ministry’s cashier or at the finance counter and bring their receipts to the mechanical compound desk officer for their bookings.

“Or you can simply call 23428 for booking and further information,” advised MID.

The inspection fee remains at $138 for a one-time inspection, according to the MID statement.

MID further adds that the venue is at the Mechanical Compound, Mataniko riverside.

“Who needs inspection? This applies to all motor vehicles: Motorbikes & Tractors, Light & Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Plant Machinery.

“Public transport operators, taxis, buses, and pickups.

“A friendly reminder to also visit the HCC Payment Section to settle your annual business operating licenses.

“It is much cheaper to pay for an inspection than to face the consequences of a roadside check,” said MID.

Photo credit: MID

For feedback, contact: [email protected]