People on Sikaiana again call for a nurse as situation becomes dire 16 months on
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
People on Sikaiana are again calling for a nurse to be sent to the island.
Sikaiana’s Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Lemuel Kevianga said his people are still crying out for health and medical service, denied them for the last 16 months.
The last nurse left Sikaiana in October 2024.
Since then, there have been two deaths on the island which have been described as ‘avoidable deaths’, Mr Kevianga, who is also Malaita province’s Finance Minister, said.
Kevianga adds, there have also been two critical cases which were med-evac by helicopter – a costly exercise.
The last ship visited Sikaiana in mid-January this year. It is unclear when the next ship will be available for the island since the shipping service franchise for Sikaiana has expired.
With the tender process for the 2026 franchise expected to take months, Kevianga believes it could be at least another six months before a ship sails for Sikaiana.
Issue hits parliament, nothing happens
The issue of Sikaiana’s lack of nurse was brought to parliament last year with Opposition Leader Matthew Wale calling on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to address the vacancy with urgency.
Mr Wale in a media statement in August 2025 said leaving a population of over 300 without medical care for 11 months was “inexcusable” and “pure negligence” on the part of government.
Health Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosawai had alluded to critical shortages in other medical fields and pressures on provincial hospitals like Kilu’ufi, which oversees Sikaiana’s medical staffing.
Nurse available, but no ship
Malaita’s Director of Nursing, based at the Kiluufi hospital, Richard Maegerea had told Island Sun in October last year that a nurse was being prepared for deployment to Sikaiana.
Speaking to the paper last week, Mr Maegerea said that the nurse has been prepped and “just waiting for the next available transport to Sikaiana”.
Maegerea added that the nurse should have left for Sikaiana earlier this year but had missed the ship bound for the island.
“Currently, we are liaising with the MPA for Sikaiana as to when the next available ship will travel there so that the nurse can follow it to the island. Details such as whether the ship will come through Auki on its way to Sikaiana or whether it would directly sail to Sikaiana from Honiara are vital as we communicate and make arrangements ahead of the ship’s schedule,” Maegerea said.
Missed calls, missed trip
MPA Kevianga in response said, “The nurse had missed the last trip to Sikaiana because the Director had not answered his phone when I called him many times to arrange the nurse to come to Honiara from Auki to board the ship to Sikaiana.”
In mid-January the ship left Honiara for Sikaiana carrying materials for constituency projects and a school project on the island.
“We knew this could be the last ship for Sikaiana for a long time, that’s why I had insisted on getting the nurse to follow it,” Kevianga said.
No health and medical service
Principal of the community school on Sikaiana, Thomas Sapivaka describes life on the island as “fifty-fifty”.
“There is zero medical visit while Sikaiana lacks a nurse. Newborn babies do not get their injections,” Sapivaka said.
“There are children as far as two years old who have not yet had their injections or vaccinations.
“Wounds from injuries due to accidents or fights are left to fester, most taking very long to heal.
“Babies are being delivered by untrained women who act as mid-wives.
“Education is impacted. Teachers left Sikaiana seeking medical attention for themselves of their children or family members. Students accompany parents who also seek medical attention in Honiara,” Sapivaka said.
People turn to “all-kinds of remedies” for cure to a headache, toothache, body pains, diarrhoea, fever, weakness or wounds, Sapivaka said.
“Why? The last time I checked, Sikaiana was part of Solomon Islands,” Sapivaka said.
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