DEAR EDITOR, for a good number of years I have contributed to your newspaper my concerns relating to the health, welfare and medical needs of the people in the Solomon Islands.

Having constantly in mind such concerns I initiated contact with the charity organization in New Zealand, Take My Hands and with Lions Clubs.

Take My Hands has become my close charity partner and I retain strong bonds with Lions Clubs.

Take My Hands for at least the last three years has supplied the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical services with invaluable medical equipment and medical supplies that have essentially gone to assisting the needs of patients at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Lions Clubs has donated 6000 pairs of spectacles which have gone to the National Referral Hospital and been distributed to those needing eye glasses but not necessarily having had the means of acquiring their own.

The NRH and medical services in the Solomon Islands needs constant support and I think that, apart from aid in the form I have tried to secure, I believe it is only timely that I draw attention to the health factors that not only would reduce the need for medical attention but to those health related issues that ordinary Solomon Islands should be taking to protect their health and the health of their love ones.

I have already written about the manner in which the habit of eating too much imported food products containing too much fat and too much sugar has contributed in no small measure to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Such non-communicable diseases (NCD) are wholly preventable if only a more traditional diet of vegetables, fruit and protein like fish are eaten.

Smoking and drinking alcohol, including kwaso all contribute to health concerns such as obesity, liver disease and cancer.

If alcohol is taken it should be in moderation but drinking kwaso is risky and the habit not only against the law but very often high in alcohol content which dangerously heightens blood pressure.

Chewing betel nut is proven to carry a high risk of cancer, mouth disease, tooth decay and obesity.

Most often lack of exercise leads to becoming over weight and, combined, with the habits of drinking alcohol, chewing betel nut and not having a proper diet containing high levels of fat and sugary products ultimately leads to illness which could have been prevented.

Prevention is better than a cure, so the old saying goes, and I would very much hope that Solomon Islanders of all ages, but especially the younger ones, start to think positively of the life changing steps they can take to protect their health and, in turn, avoid getting sick and adding to the pressure already burdening our health services.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

DEAR EDITOR, I raised the idea of creating a Solomon Islands National Youth Orchestra in letters to the local media last week and I have been greatly encouraged to pursue the ‘dream’ by mail I have received from several members of the public who believe such an orchestra formed by youths, already with the inherent musical talents, interests and enthusiasm would be beneficial.

I have written to the British Council with offices in New Zealand to enquire whether the British Council, with an interest in furthering art in the wider Pacific region, would be interested in aiding the project aim I have outlined.   I wait to get a response.

As the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs is the local Ministry responsible for the National Youth Policy, which includes musical activities, with support from the Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, I very much look forward to being able to develop my ideas with the two Ministries to see how we might combine to get the idea of a home grown National Youth Orchestra off the ground in further music development and promotion.

I cannot preempt anything that I might receive by way of help from either the British Council or the two Ministries I have mentioned, but I do believe it would be essential to have a dedicated, qualified and motivated local person to coordinate things from the onset and to be able to oversee the selection and supervision of the youths that would make up the youth orchestra.

Alternatively, a volunteer professional from overseas could be encouraged to come to the Solomon Islands to undertake what I believe would be an exciting, interesting and uplifting opportunity to work with the young musicians selected to form the orchestra.

Perhaps, the Solomon Islands Music Federation could advise whether the possibility of getting a local person to do the necessary work, or say how a suitable VSO might be approached and recruited.

I know that VSO personnel have come to the Solomon Islands for a number of years from Australia, the UK , the USA, Taiwan, Japan and New Zealand and all have contributed in their own way to making life better for individuals, communities and the country as a whole.

As I wrote previously, the group of talented musicians in the UK stand ready to help in whatever way possible with the creation of a Solomon Islands National Youth Orchestra, especially with music training and education, but await news that local efforts to see to the implementation of my ‘dream’ have developed sufficiently to consider holding fund raising concerts in the UK.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

DEAR EDITOR, the chewing of betel nut is a popular habit of many people in the Solomon Islands but there is increasing medical evidence of the habit’s dangerous use in terms of health risks.

Many overseas studies, including those conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown a convincing link between betel nut use and cancer of the mouth and esophagus

Betel nut users are also at higher risk of developing incurable oral submucous fibrosis.

This disease causes stiffness to occur in the mouth and eventually the complete loss of jaw movement.

The regular chewing of betel nut can also cause gum irritation and tooth decay.

Most recent studies conducted in the US by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition found a strong connection between betel nut and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart disease) and obesity.

Health organizations and governments around the globe are taking increasing steps to increase awareness of betel nut risks.

Taiwan, for example, fines people there who are found spitting betel nut juice and require them to attend withdrawal classes.

Habits are often difficult to curtail but given the real evidence available of the serious health risks associated with chewing betel nut it is perhaps time for Solomon Islanders to think very carefully of their fondness of regularly chewing betel and think of the implications to their health and well being.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short