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Covid-19 testing capabilities a main pillar to contain virus: PM

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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PM Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19) testing capabilities has been a main pillar in Solomon Islands’ success to contain the virus, said Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

In his nationwide address yesterday, Mr Sogavare said more than 7000 tests have been conducted to date at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) Molecular laboratory and the Gizo laboratory.

The Prime Minister was pleased to advise that both laboratories have been doing pre-departure testing for people leaving the country to other countries that require such tests to be done.

“My good people, COVID-19 testing capabilities has been a main pillar in our success to contain the virus. To date, more than 7000 tests have been conducted at the NRH Molecular laboratory and our Gizo laboratory. We are also pleased to advise that both laboratories have been doing pre-departure testing for people leaving the country to other countries that require such tests to be done.

“COVID-19 testing capability will shortly be in place in the Kiluúfi Hospital in Malaita province and the National Public Health Laboratory.

“Plans are also underway to establish a COVID-19 testing capability at the Taro hospital in Choiseul province,” said Sogavare.

2 covid-19 cases following reactivation

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE number of covid-19 cases remain at two following the reactivation of a negative case (which later became positive), says prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Sogavare when delivering his national address yesterday echoed that in the past two weeks the country went down to one positive case of covid-19 but the reactivation of the negative case increased the number to two active cases.

“I am happy to announce, there are no new additional COVID-19 positive case (s) since my last address.

“In the past two weeks we temporarily went down to one positive case for a few days.

“However, one of the newly negative cases had reacted and became positive again, so our official number of Covid-19 cases remain at two,” he said.

Sogavare on the same note assured the nation and the citizens that reactivation is not new as many people who have become negative reactivate even up to two months after detected negative.

“We have already seen this in some of our students that returned from the Philippines.

“This is why our testing regimen for anyone that is positive requires a minimum of three consecutive negative tests after a positive test to minimize the risk of discharging a person that could reactivate,” he said.

Sogavare commends the country’s testing protocol which ensures the country picks up these reactivations before the people who had turned negative are discharged into the community.

“I also applaud the plan to follow-up all the previously positive people for a period of three months after they had turned negative – to reduce any chance of reactivation during this period,” he said.

Sogavare said the country at the moment discharged a total of 14 previously positive people from the government-managed facilities.

He said 10 of the 14 people were due for a review and re-swabbing in the past week.

“I am pleased to advise that nine of the 10 people had been reviewed and re-swabbed.

“I am further delighted to inform the public that all nine swabs had come back negative. The 10th person is in the province,” said Sogavare.

He said for this person’s review and re-swabbing arrangements had been made to be done at the province and the swab will be sent to Honiara for the analysis.

Sogavare said to complete the three months follow-up period since turning negative all these 10 individuals will be followed up for another month.

He said the four people that were released recently will also be followed up monthly for three months to ensure they also remain negative for the full three months.

“To all previously COVID-19 positive citizens, let me convey my personal thankyou to all and to your families, friends, and relatives for your positive response to our call for you to come for your reviews and re-swabbing. This process is critical in our collective effort to contain the COVID-19 virus at our quarantine stations and ensure it does not go out to the community.

“I must emphasize that these follow-ups on previously positive persons are mandatory. They carry penalties if the previously positive persons decide not to come for their follow-ups. The government looks forward to your continued attendance at the follow-up schedules that had been discussed with you to ensure you also do your part in protecting our country,” said Sogavare.

Home for health workers at border, soon: PM

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

WORK to revamp staff houses for health workers in the three clinics along the border catchment area is progressing and will be fully operational to the overall covid-19 operations along the border with Bougainville soon.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday.

“Work is also progressing on the refurbishment of staff houses for health workers in the three clinics along the border catchment area.

“This work is expected to be completed by the end of this month. All three clinics will soon be fully operational and contribute significantly to the overall covid-19 operations along the border with Bougainville,” said Sogavare.

He adds, no illegal entry has been reported since the Christmas period along the declared emergency zone in the western border as well as in Choiseul province

However, Sogavare echoed that a breach of the State of Public Emergency was reported and responded to at the Noro international seaport.

He said this incident involved a crew from a logging ship who disembarked the ship and went into the Noro Township market.

“Despite their being little risk of covid-19 transmission, the vessel was detained and only released following the owner’s and agent’s compliance with our legal requirements.

“Fellow citizens in Choiseul, Western province, and Malaita Outer Islands, please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements or illegal entries along our western borders to nearest police or health authorities or call health toll free line 115 or police toll free line 999,” said Sogavare.

Vaccine is the hope for Pacific travel and tourism: World Bank

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World Bank.

BY BEN BILUA

THE World Bank says covid-19 vaccine is the only hope for tourism and travel in the pacific.

Research carried out by World Bank towards end of 2020 states that tourism and travel will continue to slow down unless vaccines are made available to most countries.

It states most countries are experiencing economic downward spiral due to border restrictions which ground both air and sea travels.

The report states that economic activity across the Pacific is expected to be dejected for another 9-18 months.

Though a moderate recovery is projected for this year (2021), production levels will unable to reach pre-COVID19 levels until 2022 and beyond.

The report states, respective governments and partners must step up planning and investment on health development, strengthening testing and tracing so as facilities before proposing a border re-open.

It states a ‘new-normal’ travel arrangements will still face rejection this year as opening up borders will put a huge health risk.

The report states, re-opening travel in the Pacific should be done in phases, but it cautions that relaxing strict border policies alone will not immediately deliver economic benefits.

The three phases suggested by World Bank are;

Phase one (1) January and July 2021: Pre-approved travel for specific groups (more temporary workers, students etc.) Strong testing and quarantine measures would be the foundation for any travel bubble.

Phase two (2) June 2021 and May 2022: A ‘travel bubble’ with commercial flights for business and tourism. This would require sustained COVID-19 containment, improved testing and tracing, and initial roll-out of vaccinations.

Phase three (3) October 2021 and October 2022: A ‘new normal’. Longer term general international travel requiring wide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment with vastly improved testing and tracing.

“To help address this, the World Bank’s second phase of COVID-19 support to the region will focus on helping countries address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, support businesses, safeguard jobs, and advance the reforms needed to speed recovery towards broad-based and sustainable growth,” said the statement.

Author of the report, Mr Andrew Blackman said the World Bank is committed to support partners across the pacific.

Govt to control movement of foreigners in and out of SI

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NATIONAL government while dealing with covid-19 will introduce some control on the ‘frequency’ of foreign nationals leaving and re-entering the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his fortnightly nationwide address yesterday said “such frequent trips put a lot of pressure on the country’s covid-19 front-liners, all of whom had not had any rest since the start of repatriation in 2020”.

According to Mr Sogavare, the country cannot continue to allow ‘travel at will’ for many foreign nationals for ‘rest and respite’ while covid-19 front-liners have sacrificed theirs to protect this country.

“Fellow citizens, we will also introduce some control on the frequency foreign nationals can leave and re-enter the country while we are still grappling with COVID-19.

“Such frequent trips put a lot of pressure on our front-liners all of whom had not had any rest since the commencement of repatriation in June 2020.

“We cannot continue to allow ‘travel at will’ for many foreign nationals for ‘rest and respite’ while our front-liners have sacrificed theirs to protect this country,” said Sogavare.

The Prime Minister in his address also said that a new ‘travel advisory’ will be issued later this week which will specify new requirements on the frequency of travel for foreign nationals that wish to leave and re-enter the country as well as charges for covid-19 tests.

To date, there is no new additional covid-19 positive case in Solomon Islands.

In the past two weeks the country temporarily went down to one (1) positive case for a few days, however, one of the newly negative cases had reactivated and became positive again, so Solomon Islands official number of covid-19 cases remains at two.

Tragedy overseas

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit. Photo by myPolice Queensland Police News.

Two seasonal workers die in car accident in Brisbane

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

FOREIGN Affairs officials yesterday spent the day briefing grieving family members of two seasonal workers who died in a car crash in Queensland, Australia, early Sunday morning.

But a ministry spokesman said no media statement would be released on the tragedy as a mark of respect to grieving relatives.

The two were among a group that left last year under the Australian seasonal workers scheme to work in a meat factory.

 Queensland police released a statement saying:

“Two men died and another was injured in a single-vehicle crash on the Bunya Highway early on Sunday morning.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that just before 4.30am a silver stationwagon was travelling southwest along the Bunya Highway when it left the roadway and overturned at Taabinga.

“As a result a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old man died from their injuries.

“ A 24-year-old male passenger was transported to Kingaroy Hospital and later airlifted to Brisbane for further treatment.

“The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.”

Reports from Queensland say the three workers were drinking that night at home when they decided to drive out to get cigarettes.

“Obviously, this was an alcohol-driven incident,” says a Solomon Islander studying and living in Brisbane.

“Quite disappointing,” he added.

Seasonal workers were normally given strict instructions on alcohol by Foreign Affairs officials during their pre-departure briefings.

They have been advised to avoid alcohol, to respect Australian laws and be good ambassadors.

It’s understood this is the first major incident involving local seasonal workers in Australia.

It’s not clear when the bodies will be returned home.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner in Australia did not reply questions sent to him yesterday on the incident.

A lot of Solomon Islanders went on social media yesterday to share their sympathies with relatives of the two deceased.

Others also expressed fear the incident may affect chances of more Solomon Islanders being engaged to work in Australia’s meat industry.

MEKAWIR SCORES ON DEBUT

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

FORMER U-20 and Langley Wanderers frontman Ali Mekawir made his TSL introduction in style, with a debut goal for Honiara City against leaders Henderson Eels during a 1-1 draw yesterday.

The Royals Academy player netted in the 53 rd minute after a Desmond Tutu rebound saves for Mekawir to lift the ball into an open net.

“I’m happy with my performance today and a goal is a bonus,” Mekawir said in a post-match interview.

“I aimed for two goals today (yesterday) but I missed, it’s my first time in the TSL and to playback in the heat at Lawson Tama.
He was a threat in front of the experience Eels defence, with the pressure he posed.

“I’m good blending in with the players, the first game I begin to understand the boys hope for more games to come and we will do better,” he says.

With his experience playing with the English FA 9th tier team the standard is different compared.

“How I think the level there is a bit beyond how we play here, but it depends when in the game. I learned a lot of experience in England, comparing myself to how I use to play before I made improvements,” the former U20 striker said.

“My experience developed in the game. But we players still learn and there is a lot to cover.

He adds that with his experience and exposure especially playing in the United Kingdom he looks forward to sharing developing others.

“It’s working hard if you want something, having a dream you have to work for it.

“Fix It”

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Dr. Alice Pollard
Dr. Alice Pollard

Democratic party calls on government to address problems at NRH
THE president of Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), Dr Alice Aruhe’eta Pollard calls on the National Government to provide needed resources to the National Referral Hospital and attend to challenges such as limited resources, limited space, unhygienic environment and crowded wards.
“Despite the challenges brought about by covid-19, we must also remember that NRH, which deals with other diseases that have been killing our people for years, is struggling to save lives.
“Our professional doctors, Nurses and Health providers are doing their best with passion, commitment, patience, and love to provide the necessary services required to meet the needs of our sick people. I congratulate them for that,” says President Pollard.
The SIDP President however believes that the country’s National Referral Hospital should be a better and cleaner place for our doctors, nurses, and patients to live and work.
“Our NRH should be a place where lives are saved and healed and where it provides hope for sick patients. Our government needs to prioritise and invest in our health systems and NRH.
“I therefore call upon the government to attend immediately to the growing demand and pressure on our NRH.
“Our people are dying unnecessarily every day instead of being saved. NRH do not have the needed right equipment and drugs nor a healthy environment for our health providers to work,” Pollard added.
She went on to further add that, “We cannot allow our NRH to continue this way nor we cannot turn a blind eye or deaf ears to the poor work environment and issues experienced by our doctors and nurses. They labour tirelessly”.
“I believe that all of us, despite our gender, age, ethnicity, positions etc, will sooner or later end up at the NRH. It is only a matter of time. It is our only national referral hospital, yet it is likened to an abandoned child or neglected child by our National government.
“Our NRH is deteriorating every day. This is not good for Solomon Islands and its people. I humbly call on our responsible government to act now and address this,” the SIDP President said.

Mekawir joins City

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

FORMER national under – 20 striker and Royals Academy product Ali Mekawir is set to make his debut for Honiara City FC when the capital city boys take on leaders Henderson Eels on Sunday 23.

According to City’s head coach, Jerry Sam he confirmed the player will feature when 2020/2021 Telekom S League resumes this weekend.

“Ali has been in fine scoring form since joining us in training,” Sam confirmed via Futbol Guy.

“We look forward to him playing his first game for Honiara City.

Ali has his short stint with English FA 9th tier side Langley Wanderers FC which he also featured playing in the famous FA Cup and became the first Solomon Islander to score in the competition.

The player was part of the Royals Academy 31-man contingent to UK with the Stars Academy which majority of them returned in October last year while 14 remain.

He has been in an impressive goal scoring form in the UK.

Late last year City’s head coach Jerry Allen was scouting to take on three Royals Academy players including Mekawir. The other two are Don Keana and defender Ian Kalu – the trios are former Wanderers FC players.

With Mekawir confirmed he will join former U-23 defender Junior David as the latest inclusions for the TSL debutants.

More people moving to urban centres

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Passengers waiting eagerly for bus as Honiara Central market bus stop crowded with people. Photo by JARED KOLI

BY BEN BILUA

HONIARA has been described as one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific.

The annual urban growth according to UN-Habitant – Urban profiling in Solomon Islands in 2011 was at 4.7 per cent with the number forecast to have increased over the past years.

The report states that the annual urban growth of 4.7 per cent exceeds the national population growth of 2.3 per cent, indicating the growing importance of the urban areas which is the heart of socioeconomic growth and future prosperity.

It states that increasing urban growth has and will continue to put immense pressure on urban service delivery, which is already in short supply and declining in urban centres.

“Obvious challenges can be seen in poor delivery of services such as roads, drainage systems, power, housing, health and education services, solid waste management, water and sanitation have deteriorated over the years due to minimal maintenance and improvement,” the report states.

According to the report, these problems have been exposed due to lack of urban policies or city development strategies, a lack of skilled human resources, poor management and weak governance at all levels of government in most towns.

It states that the rising growth of informal settlements and failing infrastructure in urban centres illustrate the need for leaders to establish proper mechanism that would unravel the issue.

The national urban profile for Solomon Islands is the first long-term documented advocacy tool that aims at encouraging policy shift towards improving the urban planning and management of towns to achieve desired outcomes for the country.

Achieving progress in resolving these key urban development issues will play a crucial role in transforming towns into productive and liveable places.

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