Number of mentally ill patients on the rise, 269 new cases reported in NRH alone

BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Cases of mentally ill patients are increasing in Solomon Islands, with experts warning that drug abuse and social issues are driving the trend.

Rex Maukera, Head of Psychiatry at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), said the hospital has recorded a total of 2,893 cases, including 269 new cases in 2024 alone.

He revealed that 25 percent of the cases are related to marijuana use, while others stem from stress disorders, natural disasters, family issues, unemployment, and missed opportunities.

“These records are from the National Referral Hospital alone. It is likely that there are high numbers of cases across the country that are not registered,” Maukera said.

He said the Psychiatry Department is working to collect more data to determine the actual number of cases nationwide, however, efforts are lagging behind due to limited support.

Maukera said mental health services also limited to National Referral Hospital and other urban centres.

He stressed that the immediate priority is to review the country’s Mental Treatment Act, which was enacted in 1970.

“Only the new Act will provide provisions to care for patients and also support provincial clinics to strengthen mental health services.

“It will also give direction to stakeholders on how to carry out their responsibilities,” Maukera said.

He described the existing law as outdated, saying it is one of the reasons why mental health services continue to face challenges and decline in quality.

When asked about Kilu’ufi Hospital, Maukera confirms that the facility still provides treatment for mentally ill patients but faces a shortage of health workers.

He said the NRH continues to refer major mental health cases to Kiluufi for treatment knowing very well that more referrals will put pressure on staffs on the ground.

Maukera said mental illness is a “multifactorial issue” that requires collaborative efforts across society to address.

He calls on the government and donor partners to support the review of the Mental Treatment Act.

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[Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025]

BY MORRIS NAFU

In a significant development under the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project II (CAUSE II), a total of 383 community members from Honiara, Guadalcanal, West, and Malaita provinces have successfully completed work readiness training and received certificates of recognition for their efforts.

This training is part of the ongoing phase two of the CAUSE II initiative, which aims to enhance community engagement and infrastructure development.

Graduates of the program are now set to participate in various community projects, including footpath construction, solar light post installation, and reflective kerb painting on main roads.

The Project Implementation Units (PIUs) have already organized teams to install solar posts along completed Jacob’s Ladders and new footpaths, contributing to safer and more accessible public spaces.

According to a press statement, the Redi4Waka training program equips participants with essential job skills, life skills, and knowledge on climate resilience, thereby building their confidence for both immediate involvement in CAUSE II projects and future employment opportunities.

The statement further highlights that CAUSE II is an initiative of the Solomon Islands Government, supported by the World Bank and Australia.

Its primary objectives are to enhance climate-resilient infrastructure, promote economic inclusion, and improve service delivery in urban areas, particularly in Honiara City and the rapidly growing peri-urban regions of Guadalcanal and Malaita Provinces, as well as Western Province.

Additionally, the design and survey for the first component of the project are being conducted by Kramer Asia Pacific (SI).

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[Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025]

BY CHRIS ALEX

With less than a month before 44 Solomon Islands students depart for China under the 2025 Chinese Government Scholarship programme, Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming reassured parents and families on the safety and well-being of their loved ones while abroad.

Speaking during the official awarding and orientation ceremony on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Ambassador Weiming emphasised that China places “great importance” on the protection, support, and development of foreign students, particularly those from friendly partner nations such as the Solomon Islands.

“I also have some words to all our parents. We attach great importance to the safety and well-being of foreign students in China.

“With joint efforts, these young winners will continue to grow as students, excel in their studies, and be guided to become accomplished individuals ready to embrace the future,” Weiming said.

He urged students to make the most of their opportunity not only through academic achievement but also by engaging with China’s modern culture and dynamic development.

The ambassador also encourages them to share their personal experiences with family and friends back home, fostering greater understanding between the two nations.

“You can share your genuine experiences of studying and living in China with your own family and friends.

“Help more people from the Solomon Islands gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, history, and reality. Share your story and become ambassadors between China and the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Drawing on remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Weiming highlighted the central role of youth in national progress.

“Young people are the most energetic and full of dreams. This spirit of youth determines the future of the nation,

“We encourage the students who are awarded Chinese scholarships to cherish the opportunity and dedicate their energy and wisdom to the development of the Solomon Islands and the deepening of friendship between China and the Solomon Islands,” he said.

He called on students to gain knowledge, experience new technologies and lifestyles, and explore China beyond the classroom.

“Experience a real and better China with your own eyes. Try the high-speed trains, mobile payments, and vibrant cities. It’s part of discovering how the world is evolving,” the ambassador said.

He also reinforced China’s long-term vision for mutual cooperation through education.

“A nation fosters when its youth prosper, and a nation grows strong when its younger generation is strong. Only when young people have ideals, skills, and courage to take responsibility will your country be able to embrace a promising future.

“Let us join hands to invest in education and cooperation, and create an even brighter tomorrow for the friendship between China and the Solomon Islands,” Weiming said.

The 44 students are set to leave for China next month and will pursue degrees across fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and literature, contributing to what both nations see as a growing and strategic partnership rooted in people-to-people exchange.

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[Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025]

BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

FORMER Secretary to the office of the Prime Minister now a Provincial Member of Western Province has questioned the government whether the country’s sovereignty has been sold.

Jeffrey Wickham asked the question amidst tension between Solomon Islands and other regional countries following the decision to defer the post forum dialogue, which means the dialogue partners will not be attending the 54th Pacific Forum leaders meeting.

He said the current political pressure shows that China is slowly taking over Solomon Islands sovereignty as a country.

Wickham said traditional dialogue partners and regional countries have been with Solomon Islands since being independent and to defer the very institutions and countries that stand along side Solomon Islands since its existence is questionable.

“Let me say this, don’t ever use the sovereignty when we are not. Let’s not kid ourselves, our sovereignty has already been sold the moment we change allegiance from Taiwan to China. To say that we a sovereign country is a shame to some extend.

“It’s a pity that our leaders keep on using the word sovereign when comes to geopolitical issue when obviously we are not,” he said.

Wickham said the word “sovereignty” has lost its meaning in Solomon Islands because it has been used to serve someone’s purpose and interest.

He encourages the government to stick to its principles and slogan “friend to all enemy to none”.

“Solomon Islands cannot think for its self, someone must influence the decision. Sovereignty is no longer a catch word meaning it only serves some purpose. The world is so interconnected that we relate, trade and rely on each other so much so that no man is an island.

“It’s a fallacy to think in such a manner. In general, this is Geo politics all over again,” Wickham said.

He stressed that it is not the right time for Solomon Island to gamble with the big boys given that the country’s economy is going down.

Wickham said Solomon Islands as a country should be worry about the growing number of unemployment, weak economy, shortage of medicine and overall huge numbers of school drop-outs instead of geopolitical games.

“We lots of issues to worry about,” he said.

Boiling point

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s proposal not to invite countries such as the US, China and Taiwan to Honiara at next month’s leaders’ summit was approved at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FFMM) in Fiji.

However, the decision was not going down well with other Pacific countries. Tuvalu and Samoa are threatening not to attend the meeting.

Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said Samoa would find it “very difficult” to attend the meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, if the long-standing practice of allowing Taiwan to participate was changed.

Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu said he had written to Jeremiah Manele outlining Tuvalu’s position.

“We’ll see what the rest of the leaders’ response is to the proposal by the Solomons, and then we’ll make our decision.

“I’ll wait for the final decision on this arrangement, and then reconsider my participation,” he said.

Fiji also shows disagreement over the decision.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka warned the Solomon Islands’ decision threatens to fracture decades of Pacific unity and cooperation.

“We inherited these dialogue partners and development partners, and we should pass them on. If we create a fracture now, it could result in the fracturing and dismantling of the combined efforts of the Pacific Islands Forum and our dialogue and development partners,” he said.

History

Solomon Islands has been criticised for some of its decision after the switch of allegiance from Taiwan to China.

Both local and international media published red-flags decision and political moves since Solomon Islands become friends to China.

In the domestic front, there was an incident where the government supported the defacing of the plaque in front of the National Referal Hospital (NRH) indicating the hospital as a gift from the people of Taiwan.

SIG do the same to the plaque at Parliament’s Paul Tovua Complex, which houses offices of Parliamentarians and Parliament staff. 

While there is a deliberate attempt to erase a part of our history and ties that past governments had established, many Solomon Islanders who are aware appreciate our history and the decisions made by past governments, just as they appreciate decisions made by current governments to push the nation forward. 

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[Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025]

BY NED GAGAHE

The Gold Ridge Community Landowners Council (GRCLC), in partnership with Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL), various landowner associations, the Solomon Islands Government, and other key stakeholders, will conduct a joint awareness program from August 25 to Monday, September 1, 2025.

The awareness program will take place across several communities in Central Guadalcanal and aims to directly engage with landowners, tribal leaders, and residents regarding the Gold Ridge Mine project.

According to GRCLC Chairman Dick Douglas, the program is led by GRCLC and intends to inform and educate stakeholders about ongoing developments, roles of the participating entities, and future plans related to the mine.

“This awareness initiative is crucial in ensuring that landowners, tribal members, and communities are kept informed, can voice concerns, and fully understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to the project,” Douglas said.

The program will cover five key thematic awareness sessions and ten tribal-specific sessions.

These sessions are designed to provide accurate updates on the mine project, outline the roles of stakeholders including, GRML, GCIL, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Environment, Guadalcanal Provincial Government, RSIPF, and others, and address topics including project benefits, safety protocols, and environmental safeguards.

The sessions will also serve as a platform for open dialogue between stakeholders and community members, encouraging transparency and mutual understanding.

Community and tribal leaders are urged to attend and encourage their members to participate in the sessions.

“We strongly encourage all leaders and members of our communities to take part in this important program. Your participation is vital in helping shape the future of the Gold Ridge Mine project and ensuring that all voices are heard,” Douglas added.

Organisers have advised the public to refer to the official schedule for the specific dates, times, and venues for each community session.

They also note that the program schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather or community events, including deaths.

GRCLC thanks all partners and stakeholders involved and reaffirms its commitment to promote shared responsibility and cooperation in the development and sustainability of the Gold Ridge project.

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