BY NED GAGAHE

The Minister for Finance and Treasury (MoFT) Gordon Darcy Lilo has called for a major shift in Solomon Islands’ fiscal and economic policies, saying that past approaches have failed to deliver the outcomes needed to improve people’s lives.

Speaking during the Central Bank of Solomon Islands’ (CBSI) Golden Jubilee celebrations at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara last week, he said the country can no longer continue with the same policies while expecting different results.

“It is evident that our fiscal and monetary policies in the past have not produced the results that we want.

“Therefore, continuing along the same pathway and expecting different outcomes is unattainable,” Mr Lilo said.

He said Solomon Islands must adopt a transformative approach to nation building to reverse slow economic growth and address worsening social and economic conditions.

“We need to reorient our fiscal and economic policy directions now and adopt a transformative shift in our approach to nation building to reverse the slow growth trend and change the socio-economic status of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Mr Lilo linked the need for reform to preliminary findings from the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) and the forthcoming Poverty Report, which indicate poverty and inequality remain major national challenges.

He said the findings show that despite advances in financial inclusion and economic reforms over the years, many Solomon Islanders continue to struggle.

“The poverty survey report has still reflected that poverty is an underlying issue for our country,” he said.

Mr Lilo said stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary policy will be critical to deliver sustainable economic growth.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to deepen financial sector reforms through capital market development, the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund and the revival of the National Bank of Solomon Islands.

“Today I reaffirm the Government’s unwavering commitment to support our bank in achieving the reforms that are necessary to deepen and strengthen our financial sector,” he said.

Mr Lilo said the Government remains committed to ensure that today’s resources are managed wisely to create long-term prosperity for future generations.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A cocoa farmer from Sumate in West Guadalcanal has commended the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) for its continued support of rural farmers across the Solomon Islands.

Perole, a cocoa farmer who works with a group of farmers in Sumate and nearby Hoilava, said the group recently began purchasing wet cocoa beans and has now made its first sale of processed cocoa products.

Since entering the cocoa business, Perole said he has consistently sold his cocoa products to CEMA because of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to support local farmers.

“I choose to sell to CEMA because it is one of the original commodity companies in Solomon Islands and it continues to assist farmers with the resources we need,” he said.

According to Perole, CEMA has provided valuable assistance to farmers, including empty drums, nets, financial support for the construction of cocoa dryers, and other forms of practical support that many farmers struggle to afford.

“I am very happy with the support CEMA has given us. Since the organisation was revived, I have continued working with them,” he said.

Perole also recalls accompanying CEMA officers by boat to communities between Sumate and Marasa to conduct awareness programs and encourage farmers to engage in cocoa production.

He urges farmers across Guadalcanal and the rest of the country to recognise CEMA’s commitment to the agriculture sector.

“Even during some of the country’s most challenging years, CEMA continued to support farmers. Despite declines in commodity prices, CEMA has remained committed to helping producers of both cocoa and copra,” he said.

Perole said the continued support for farmers is essential to strengthen the agriculture sector and improve livelihoods in rural communities.

Photo: Supplied

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BY TONY IROGA

A woman who suffered from severe kidney stone pain for more than a year is now recovering after doctors at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) successfully carried out a complex minimally invasive surgery using advanced dual-endoscope technology.

In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) said the operation was performed by the 5th China Medical Team in Solomon Islands in partnership with local medical staff.

According to MHMS, the patient had both kidney and ureteral stones, as well as severe swelling of the kidney caused by blocked urine flow.

“The first doctors treated a serious kidney infection by inserting a stent and providing drainage and antibiotics before carrying out the main surgery,” MHMS said.

The 90-minute operation was led by Chinese urologist Dr. Zhang Faming, assisted by local surgeon Dr. Melly and Chinese nurse Xie Guofeng.

Using two endoscopes and a holmium laser, the team successfully removed all the stones with minimal blood loss.

Dr. Zhang said PCNL is a globally preferred minimally invasive treatment for complex kidney stones because it causes less trauma and allows patients to recover faster.

MHMS said the surgery was also an important training opportunity for local doctors.

Local surgeon Dr. Melly said the successful operation marks a significant achievement for the hospital.

“This patient waited one year for this procedure, and we are so glad we could deliver a successful surgery for her at last,” Dr. Melly said.

MHMS said the patient recovered well without complications and was discharged five days after surgery after scans confirmed that all the stones had been removed.

Leader of the 5th China Medical Team, Chu Liangzhao, said the operation highlighted the value of medical innovation and strengthened health cooperation between Solomon Islands and China.

MHMS described the successful procedure as a milestone for urology services in Solomon Islands, saying it improves the country’s ability to carry out advanced minimally invasive surgeries while building the skills of local medical specialists.

Photo credit: MHMS

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BY TONY IROGA

The Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Alfred Lazarus Rimah has encouraged scholarship recipients to make the most of the educational opportunities provided through the partnership between China’s Jiangsu Province and Malaita Province.

Speaking during the Jiangsu–Malaita partnership meeting at Mendana Hotel on Thursday, Rimah congratulated the students and urged them to pursue their studies with commitment and excellence.

“To all scholarship recipients, I offer my warmest congratulations. You have been entrusted with a valuable opportunity. I encourage each of you to pursue your studies with discipline, humility and excellence,” Rimah said.

He encouraged the students to gain knowledge, strengthen their skills and embrace cultural understanding while studying abroad.

“Acquire knowledge, develop your skills and embrace cultural understanding. Use what you have learned to serve your communities and contribute to the development of Malaita Province and our beloved Solomon Islands,” he said.

Rimah said investing in education is one of the best ways to prepare future leaders and professionals who will help drive sustainable development in the country.

He also thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China, PRC and Jiangsu Province for supporting the scholarship programme, saying the initiative reflects the strong friendship and growing partnership between the two provinces and their shared commitment to improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Malaita Provincial Permanent Secretary, George Eric, has called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and Auki Fisheries Centre to find a new generator for Afio Fishery Centre before they remove the current one to Auki Fisheries Centre. 

PS Eric said the arrangement for the removal of the Afio Fisheries generator for temporary use in Auki Fisheries Centre will cause frustration to the people of Afio, because they are already engaged in small-scale fisheries activities. 

He said the economy needs uplifting and engaging rural people in small-scale activities like those at Afio Fisheries Centre is a way forward. 

“We need to engage our rural people in ways that can help to support our economy, and engaging rural people like those at the fisheries centre at Afio is a good idea.

“Not only in the fisheries sector, but in other sectors, like agriculture and entrepreneurship, we need to work together.

“The arrangement for the removal of the Afio Fisheries Centre generator to the Auki Fisheries Centre temporarily will not only disrupt their normal operations, but it will also cause frustration and distrust among the rural people of Afio,” he said. 

He stressed that MFMR and the Auki Fisheries Centre should find a new generator for Afio Fisheries Centre before removing the generator there.

Eris emphasised that the only possible way he can think of is for MRMF and the Auki Fisheries Centre to find a new generator for Afio Fisheries Centre as they remove the one the centre is currently using.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Ports will officially launch its new Shipping Schedule App on Monday, marking a major step in the digital transformation of Solomon Islands’ domestic maritime services.

The launch ceremony will be held at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) Auditorium on June 29 and will introduce what Solomon Ports describes as the first digital platform of its kind in the country.

In an invitation sent to media organisations yesterday, Solomon Ports Senior Media and Communications Officer, Lowen Sei, said the application has been developed to provide passengers, domestic shipping operators and the general public with timely, reliable and easily accessible information on vessel schedules across Solomon Islands.

He said the initiative demonstrates Solomon Ports’ commitment to embracing digital innovation, improving customer service and strengthening connectivity between Honiara and the provinces.

“This is the first application of its kind in the country, developed by Solomon Ports to provide passengers, shipping operators, and the general public with timely, reliable, and accessible domestic shipping schedules,” Mr Sei said.

The official programme will include the launch of the Shipping Schedule App, a live demonstration of its features, and a press conference with technical experts.

Mr Sei said the panel will explain the vision behind the application, how it was developed, how it works and the benefits it is expected to deliver to port users, domestic shipping operators and the wider maritime sector.

“The panel will discuss the vision behind the App, its development, how it works, and the significant benefits it will bring to port users, domestic shipping operators, and the maritime sector,” he said.

He added that the launch represents another milestone in Solomon Ports’ efforts to modernise domestic maritime services through technology.

The new application is expected to make it easier for travellers and shipping stakeholders to access up-to-date domestic vessel schedules, improving travel planning and access to shipping information throughout the country.

Photo credit: Solomon Ports

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A UNICEF team from Honiara successfully held a one-day consultation program in Auki, Malaita Province, yesterday.

The Climate Smart Social Protection consultation focused mainly on identifying legislation and policy gaps in the country and provinces.

The consultation provided an opportunity to support, address, and protect the most vulnerable people, such as women, children, and youth, in terms of unemployment in the province and country. 

According to one of the participants, Frank Samo Sari, the one-day program provided insights and a way forward for the province and vulnerable people.

“The consultation meeting today gives us the opportunity to know the legislative and policy gaps in the country, especially for vulnerable people.

“This includes services available and gaps at the national and provincial levels where social protection services and programs should be introduced to protect and address our vulnerable populations,” he said.

He added that it also helps to identify key stakeholders at the provincial level and feasible institutional structures for social protection in the Solomon Islands.

“It has also helped us understand the responsibilities and commitments of the provincial government,” he said.

The participants gained new knowledge and are grateful to UNICEF for facilitating the one-day program.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE recently renovated operating theatre at Helena Goldie Hospital has failed to meet critical infection control standards, leaving one of Western Province’s major referral hospitals without a functioning surgical theatre.

Medical Superintendent of Helena Goldie Hospital, Dr Raymond Kuray Dickson, revealed in an exclusive interview with Island Sun that a post-renovation assessment found that the facility does not comply with essential Infection Control Protocols required for safe surgical operations.

He said one of the major concerns is that the theatre has open doors and windows, making it impossible to maintain a sterile environment required for surgery.

“Operating theatres must be properly sealed. No air from outside should come in. A theatre must be sterile where ventilation must be one way—that is going out.

“This is important to protect patients during operations from dangerous elements that could cause infections after surgery,” Dickson said.

He said the theatre’s internal layout also fails to meet international operating theatre standards.

Dickson explained that the designated “dirty area”, where contaminated instruments and materials are handled, is located beside the operating table.

“There should be a sterile buffer between the operating table and the dirty area. This again is an issue of Infection Control Protocol.

“The dirty room must be a few metres away from the operating table,” he said.

Dickson said the shortcomings have forced Helena Goldie Hospital to refer surgical patients to Gizo Hospital for operations, creating additional costs and exposing patients to unnecessary risks during sea transport.

“We have had incidents where one of our boats transporting patients was involved in an accident at sea. Two boats came head-to-head with each other.

“Some of the risks include bad weather,” he said.

Dickson said the hospital has repeatedly raised the matter with the relevant authorities over the past year, but no corrective action has been taken.

He said restoring the operating theatre to the required standard will significantly reduce the burden of transferring patients between Munda and Gizo and improve access to timely surgical care.

“We need this theatre to be up and running as soon as possible. We have raised the issue many times, but nothing has been done.

“It seems there is always talk about supporting hospitals, but at the end of the day hospitals are the last place we as human beings will spend our lives,” Dickson said.

He said a fully operational theatre will not only improve healthcare services for people in Western Province but also provide opportunities for practical, skills-based medical training for healthcare professionals.

Dickson calls on responsible authorities to urgently address the deficiencies so the hospital can safely resume surgical services and reduce the risks faced by patients requiring life-saving operations.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

HELENA Goldie Hospital is appealing to individuals, business houses, donor partners and the national government to assist with the renovation of three deteriorating staff houses as the hospital grapples with a shortage of accommodation for nurses.

In an interview with Island sun, Medical Superintendent Dr Raymond Kuray Dickson said the lack of suitable staff housing has contributed to the hospital’s ongoing workforce challenges, making it difficult to accommodate nurses needed to serve the growing population in Western Province’s Zone Three.

He said the hospital already has staff houses, but they are in such poor condition that they are no longer safe or suitable for human habitation.

“So here is the story, we have houses but they are not fit for human beings because they are run-down.

“What we are hoping for is for any donor partner and government to help us renovate the buildings so that they can be fit for human beings to stay,” Dickson said.

He said renovating the three houses will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to accommodate health workers and strengthen health service delivery in the region.

Dickson also highlighted the increasing demand for healthcare services, noting that the population within Zone Three has grown considerably over the years.

He said the rising population requires greater investment in health infrastructure and support from both the government and development partners.

“The population in Zone Three has increased over the years, meaning the government and relevant authorities must provide better support to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services,” Dickson said.

He said Helena Goldie Hospital serves thousands of people across Western Province and parts of neighbouring Choiseul Province, making it one of the country’s key rural referral hospitals.

Dickson said improving staff accommodation is essential to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers and ensure patients continue to receive quality medical care.

He expressed hope that generous individuals, corporate organisations and donor agencies will respond positively to the hospital’s appeal and help restore the staff houses to a liveable standard.

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