BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) yesterday carried out an awareness program at Titiana Community in Western Province, focusing on reproductive health and related issues.

Topics discussed during the outreach included sexual reproductive health, family planning, education, and public awareness.

Speaking to the media, SIPPA Clinic Manager Mrs. Hiulyn Vozoto said the team was deployed to Western Province in response to Cyclone Maila, as communities often face increased risks following disasters due to shortages of essential needs and services.

She said the outreach aims to bring sexual reproductive health services directly to communities.

“Our focus is to provide sexual reproductive services, including family planning, as well as education and awareness programs,” Vozoto said.

She explained that post-disaster situations can increase the risk of sexual abuse and other harmful behaviours.

“During post-disaster periods, there is a high risk of sexual abuse due to lack of needs and wants. Circumstances might lead to bad decisions that would put individuals at risk,” she said.

Vozoto stressed that sexual reproductive health services are just as important as other medical services provided at hospitals and clinics.

“People often see reproductive health services as not important. However, there are reproductive diseases that can put lives at risk, therefore these medical services are very important,” she said.

“As individuals, we must also care for our reproductive health, and this is where SIPPA comes in to help.”

According to Vozoto, many people still fail to recognise the importance of reproductive health, a situation she believes places the wider population at risk.

She said the program at Titiana was successful, with both men and women attending and participating in the awareness sessions.

Vozoto added that the SIPPA team is expected to travel to Ranongga soon to conduct similar outreach programs.

Photo credit: Ben Bilua

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The free trachoma treatment rollout for residents in Honiara began on April 29 and will conclude on May 19, next week.

Speaking to this paper, Mavlyn Catherine Manetei, a registered nurse at Mbokonavera Clinic and trachoma team leader, said the campaign aims to cover the entire Honiara City Council (HCC) area.

Ms Manetei said the medical team is currently stationed at the HCC car park to make treatment more accessible for people living far from nearby communities.

“We station at the HCC car park to give accessibility to those who live far from the communities,” she said.

She added that while many schools have already been covered during the rollout, there are still a few schools and students yet to receive treatment.

Ms Manetei explained that adults are given four tablets as treatment, while children under 15 years old are treated according to their height using a measuring stick before receiving medication in suspension form.

“For children younger than six months old, she said health workers provide eye ointment treatment. Previously, we used Diclofenac eye ointment, but now people are becoming more familiar with Chloramphenicol eye drops,” she said.

Ms Manetei revealed that many children in communities have been suffering from prolonged red-eye infections without seeking proper medical attention.

“We see that clinic data is underreported until we go out into communities and discover many people with prolonged red eyes who are not accessing clinics,” she said.

She warns that failing to seek treatment could allow trachoma to continue spreading throughout communities.

According to Ms Manetei, trachoma is similar to common red-eye infections because it affects the eyelids, but it can only be confirmed through proper medical examination.

She explained that one sign of trachoma is when ordinary red-eye treatment does not work and the infection continues for weeks or even months.

“It can continue for two weeks or even a month and may eventually lead to blindness,” she said.

Ms Manetei also urges the public not to ignore symptoms of red-eye infections and to seek medical attention immediately.

“I appeal to everyone, as soon as you have red eyes, go to clinics to seek medical attention,” she said.

She further advises people whose condition do not improve after treatment to visit the Eye Centre at Kukum for proper diagnosis and medication.

“If the treatment does not respond, go to the Eye Centre at Kukum to get the correct medication and confirm whether it is normal red eye or trachoma,” she added.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

UNICEF Solomon Islands needs over US$ 4.3 million to urgently provide essential supplies and life-saving support to children and families affected by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Maila.

UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office OIC, Michael Copland, highlighted this yesterday during a media briefing on UNICEF’s humanitarian response following TC Maila

He said that UNICEF allocated approximately US$ 300,000 in humanitarian response to communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in the Western and Choiseul provinces.

TC Maila caused widespread destruction across Western and Choiseul provinces, with additional impacts in parts of Isabel Province.

The media briefing was led by Mr Copland, alongside heads of divisions of UNICEF.

According to UNICEF Report-two, Maila affected an estimated 150,000 people across 161 communities, with the most severe impacts in Western and Choiseul Provinces, and additional impacts reported in Guadalcanal and Isabel provinces.  

Based on the report, UNICEF has received US$ 150,000 through the Today & Tomorrow Initiative, a parametric insurance-based financing mechanism and has reallocated US$ 80,000 from funds received through the Cyprus government.

The report highlights that Education services remain significantly disrupted, with 84 schools affected, including 16 schools currently unusable, impacting learning for approximately 11,194 children.

It further identified that 17 schools remain closed, while 67 schools have resumed classes. UNICEF education support is prioritising severely damaged schools and those serving as evacuation centres to establish temporary learning spaces.

The report highlights that UNICEF WASH assistance is supporting affected households and contributing to the rehabilitation of services in 16 closed schools and 11 health facilities, reducing public health risks.

UNICEF’s current response is expected to directly support approximately 8,000–10,000 people, including 2,500–3,000 children, through life-saving assistance in WASH, health, nutrition, education and child protection.

It adds that UNICEF support to 21 damaged or partially non-functional health facilities is expected to strengthen the delivery of essential services for an estimated catchment population of 12,000–15,000 people, including pregnant women and young children, most at risk.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The 5th China Medical Team to Solomon Islands has successfully performed a minimally invasive surgery to remove a large breast tumor from a 27-year-old woman at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, a statement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) said.

MHMS said the patient had lived with a growing lump in her left breast for nine years. By the time she sought specialist care, the mass had reached about 23 centimetres, causing pain, breathing difficulties, and affecting her daily life and self-esteem.

It further adds that the medical examination and ultrasound scanning confirmed the tumor was benign but required surgical removal due to its size and pressure on surrounding healthy tissue.

The MHMS statement said the procedure was led by Chinese breast surgeon Dr Zhang Shiyong.

The surgical team used a modified cosmetic-incision technique with a hidden horizontal cut along the lower breast. The method allowed complete removal of the tumor while minimising visible scarring and preserving the natural breast shape.

Local doctor Dr Fandry assisted in the operation as part of a skills transfer initiative. He said the procedure provided valuable hands-on experience in advanced surgical techniques. Local doctor Dr. Jahrad, who participated in the consultation, said the case involved one of the largest breast masses he had encountered.

The operation was successful, and the patient made a smooth recovery, according to MHMS.

The patient said she was relieved following the procedure, noting that the condition had previously affected her sleep, breathing, and quality of life.

China Medical Team leader Dr Chu Liangzhao said the surgery filled a technical gap in local medical services and strengthened cooperation between Chinese and Solomon Islands medical professionals through skills sharing and clinical support.

Photo credit: MHMS

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

An incident that took place this month at Tenaru area involving RPNGC (Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary) officers has been dealt with the “Melanesian way”, says RSIPF Police Commissioner, Ian Vaevaso.

Just two weeks into the job, the commissioner held his first police press conference for the media at the Rove Police Headquarters yesterday.

In-Depth Solomons asked the commissioner if he was aware about an incident that happened this month at Tenaru which allegedly involved RPNGC officers using curse words and threatening the community with firearms before fleeing the scene.

The police commissioner said he was fully aware of the incident and it was reported to him from the RPNGC Commander who had told him about what happened.

He said he and RPNGC Commander had a serious discussion about.

Vaevaso said the commander had made inquires about the incident and a report about it is still yet to reach him.

“So, we were assured that those reports will come to tell us what the circumstances are around this incident,” he said.

Vaevaso said from their discussion, the commander had already taken the appropriate steps to disarm those involved and to have them stand down from their jobs until their scheduled flights to go back and to be dealt with in their courts.

He then said that for this matter, the victims and RPNGC officers involved wanted to deal with it outside of the court through our Melanesian culture.

“So, the RPNGC officers involved apologised and paid compensation to the victims to resolve the issue and restored the relationship they had with them.

“I was satisfied with what actions has been taken and this is something for me and my colleague the RPNGC Commissioner to discuss about,” he said.

Photo credit: Police Media

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