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Public urged to stop littering in Kukum market area

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Ezekiel Talatau

IT’S been a week since the media publicised the increase of plastic at the Kukum drainage. Yet no action has been done since.

A concerned citizen yesterday uploaded a photo showing plastics increasing at the Kukum sites, and calls on responsible authority to address this issue.

Tutuila last week told Island Sun that HCC had carried out a campaign and attempted several times to clean up the Kukum drainage but have failed.

Meanwhile, members of public through social media suggest that the betel nut markets at Kukum need to be relocated.

Tutiulu said that HCC is working hard to find a suitable place to have the betel nut market relocated to.

He added that Kukum market is a temporary site HCC had allocated for betel nut market.

Dust targets ear, nose and throat – NRH warns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dr Yi-Chu Lin performed the pure tone audiometry (PTA) and discussed the report in the ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Dr Yi-Chu Lin performed the pure tone audiometry (PTA) and discussed the report in the ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha

DUST experienced in Honiara city is reportedly posing a serious threat on an individual’s ears, nose and throat.

The National Referral Hospital through its ENT Department said the dust causes infection to the ear, nose and throat.

The ear, nose and throat (ENT) department say they are currently dealing with a number of cases relating to this.

ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha said the dust Honiara city is facing contributes to disease affecting the ear, nose and throat – most vulnerable ones are children.

“ENT is the entry of air into the body, and anything that is foreign outside example we live in dusty roads, people breathe them and will experience cough or cough from lung.

“When we cough a lot body respond and produce mucus, and those mucus if it blocked the nose and not blown out properly then it will closed the tube which connect with nose and ear.

“This tube can cause problem if people have congesting nose and coughing, etc.”

She said if this tube is blocked it can cause pressure imbalance and also infection in nose and throat; and if migrate to the tube it can cause swelling and pain which is dangerous.

Loduha advises public to stay from dust, use mask and do not be exposed to dust when traveling on the road.

She also adds the dust is highly risky for babies and young ones as it has been observed that many mothers expose their babies to the dust.

“Use mask or other protective tools to prevent babies from dust,” she said.

Throughout this month, Dr Yi-Chu Lin- Division of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan has supported to operate few patients of ENT.

She provided medical services in ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) clinic of National Referral Hospital twice weekly.

Dr Lin has helped to do several ENT biopsies and minor surgery such as incision and drainage in the ENT clinic.

Besides, she managed some consultations from surgical and paediatric departments for head and neck cancer, thyroid tumour, and congenital disorders.

Lin was dispatched by Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan government and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, to join the Taiwan Health Centre in Solomon Islands.

She delivered volunteer services in National Referral Hospital from July 1-31.

Taskforce set up against CRB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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An image recently taken by this paper on a scapanist beetle destroying coconuts in Maoa area in West Kwaio. The villagers misinterpret it to be rhinoceros beetle but later were proved wrong.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

BIOSECURITY division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has established a taskforce to carry out its management plan to curb the spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) to other provinces in the country.

The taskforce is called the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) taskforce which spearheads plans to contain the pest.

Duddley Wate, Coordinator of the CRB taskforce, said managing the spread of the pest is complex and large and involves the integration of pest management techniques such as sanitation, movement, control, identification and establishment of biocontrol agents.

Wate explained that the established plan will be carried out by several organisations including government and private sector.

“This work goes beyond the job description of any existing government post and requires an individual with energy, initiative, drive and organisational leadership qualities, but not necessarily technical pest control expertise.”

Wate said the organisations will have one coordinator each and he/she (coordinator) would drive the recommended activities to ensure if each organisation is fully committed and delivers the required activities

“In particular the coordinator should link up with the private sector to ensure they are as fully involved as they say they want to be. Much of the success of the programme is dependent on removing breeding sites from the plantations.”

School reforestation programme in Malaita province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Malaita Provincial Forestry Office has reported that they will soon roll with the school reforestation programme for secondary schools in the province.

The programme is a continuation from last year and has been in action in the province since its inception in 2016.

In charge officer at the Reforestation unit under Auki Forestry Office, Mr Rony Aiwewe said so far they have visited eight schools and are preparing to visit more schools this year.

He said programme involves awareness on the importance of reforestation to students and planting tree activity.

Aiwewe explained that the idea behind the programme is to teach the young generation on the importance of forests especially its management.

“So we see it essential for younger generation to know the importance of the forest for future use,” Aiwewe said.

He said during the programme they will demonstrate to students how to plant trees – a vital component of reforestation.

Aiwewe said they have introduced three trees species under the programme; teak, mahogany and eucalyptus spp trees, and they help students to do planting around the school boundaries.

He said the eight secondary schools they have so far visited with the programme are within Central and West Kwara’ae.

Solomon Islands electoral commission is ready for the 2019 national general election  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission is ready for the 2019 National General Election – thanks to leading donors like Australia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).

SIEC Chief Executive Officer, Mose Saitala, acknowledged the joint contributions by the donors whose representatives yesterday attended the launch of a new initiative to increase voter awareness.

The UNDP has entered into an agreement with Solrice to distribute some 110,000 Register-to-Vote leaflets throughout the nation, using SOLRICE commercial networks.

Australia was represented by its High Commissioner, Roderick Brazier at the launch, while the UNDP’s Olga Maria Rabade provided formal welcome and introduction of the project.

EU’s Charge’ d’Affaires, Elena Mendez-Adalid and Naomi who represents People with Disabilities of Solomon Islands, also attended the launch at the SOLRICE head office at Ranadi.

Mr Saitala said told a news conference yesterday the Electoral Commission is grateful for the support, which helped the Commission complete the registration phase in the preparation for next year’s election.

“We have completed the formal training of voter registration managers as of last Friday,” he said.

Mr Saitala said the Electoral Commission has increased the number of teams that would do the voter registration, being rolled out from 20th August.

“We will have 125 teams – an increase of 33 teams from the number we had in 2014 when there were only 92 teams,” Mr Saitala said.

Asked whether the bottom line of the Register to Vote awareness initiative was to increase voter turn-out, Mr Saitala said while the turn-out in 2014 was good, “we certainly would like to better that.”

Eighty-nine percent of registered voters cast their votes in 2014.

Mr Saitala also announced that special booths would be provided in the 2019 election so that people with disabilities would have easy access to cast their votes.

Ms Naomi who represents the Association of People with Disabilities of Solomon Islands told the news conference she’s happy that the Electoral Commission has taken their concern onboard.

“We are happy that we will be participating in the election,” she said.

Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier acknowledged that there was “still a long way to go” in terms of preparation for next year’s poll.

He added Australia is pleased to be able to provide the financial support for the initiative.

Australia, he said, would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure a good election outcome for the people of Solomon Islands.

UNDP’s Olga Maria Rabade also acknowledged the support provided by Solrice in allowing leaflets on Register-to-Vote to be distributed throughout Solomon Islands using Solrice’s network.

EU’s Charge’ d’Affaires, Elena Mendez-Adalid said the EU is pleased to be part of an initiative, which “tackles a fundamental issue” in more and more people to being made aware of the need to take part in the election.

A much appreciated response to helping the Solomons Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, following the quick intervention of the Prime Minister on becoming aware of the medical drug shortages affecting the National Referral Hospital and many clinics, the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, together with the World Health Organization (WHO) equally speedily provided much needed life savings drugs by air last Saturday.

I express my appreciation to the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and to the WHO for the help rendered to the Solomon Islands.

I believe the same partnership approach is being taken by Australia, New Zealand and the WHO in possibly providing technical expertise to review MHMS stock levels and to advise on drug management systems so the MHMS might avoid drug shortages in the future.

Thanks, too, for this important technical assistance.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Home Solar System that could be beneficial to the Solomon’s Rural Communities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, a Kenyan based company, M-Kopa, has provided over 500,000 homes throughout the rural areas of that country with solar power systems sufficient to light a home, charge a phone and a solar power radio.

The company founded in 2011 was backed with initial investment by Sir Richard Branson, the Founder of the Virgin Group, including Virgin Atlantic Airways and most recently by FinDev, Canada, to the tune of $10 million dollars.

At FinDev Canada provides support to businesses in developing countries, with the aim to create a favourable impact on poverty reduction through job creation, women’s economic empowerment, and climate change action.

The latest M-Kopa 4 has an eight watt solar panel that charges cell phones, a radio and a torch, via USB includes LED bulbs with light switches, as well as a rechargeable LED torch (flashlight) and a radio,

According to the company, part of the business model’s plan is to offset the danger of kerosene (paraffin) lamps to light homes that are off electric grids. The system also helps customers who need to charge batteries and mobile phones.

In Kenya, customers pay a deposit of 3,500 KES (approx $35), take the system home then pay 50 KES (approx $0.50) a day for a period of one year to own the solar system.

As the Solomon Islands still has a need for lighting in many rural homes the M-Kopa system could be a practical lighting solution for many people needing an inexpensive and simple to use solar unit.

Should there be local interest in the product here is the website to facilitate any enquiries. http://www.m-kopa.com.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Honouring a pledge to lead and serve

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, last week the acting Honiara City Mayor, Eddie Ngava, called on all members of Parliament to step in and render support in what was a national issue concerning the ongoing medical drugs shortages at the NRH and clinics.

Mr.Ngava referred to one MP having donated medical drugs and supplies to three clinics in West Honiara and he called upon the other 49 MPs to render the same degree of support to the clinics in their respective constituencies.

I would appeal to those 49 MPs to follow the challenge set by Mr. Ngava to demonstrate to the country and their constituents their concern for the crisis over drug shortages and to fulfill their responsibilities to the constituents they were elected to represent.

So often one has read of allegations concerning the lack of constituency development and alleged misuse of the constituency development funds each MP receives annually and now would be the ideal time to set aside any such allegations and to help by generously donating money to buy medicines in the national interest or to donate adequate medical drugs and supplies, following the example set by the West Honiara MP, to his constituency clinics.

In the present climate resulting from medical drugs shortages it is more than ever necessary, in my view, to demonstrate “to lead is to serve,” or regrettably be judged in the court of public opinion has not having lived up to the expectations of a serving Member of Parliament.

Please, Honourable Members, do help the nation at this difficult time and those who put you in office for many in the constituencies are suffering illness and need treatment and access to medical care and medicine.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Looking at the long-term procurement and funding requirements of the Solomons MOHMS and the NRH.

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, media reports in the Solomon Islands over the past couple of weeks highlighted the shortages of medical drugs and medical supplies at the Honiara National Referral Hospital and in several medical clinics which meant many people seeking medical attention were asked to buy their own medical drugs and medicine.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister very quickly intervened in the crisis and assured the nation that the drugs shortage had been a ‘procurement’ problem and the shortages would soon be resolved.

The medical drugs shortages may well be getting better and thanks are undoubtedly due to the timely and generous intervention of several governments, private individuals, the Honiara Band Association, business owners and a Member of Parliament.

It is hoped the reported procurement problem highlighted by the Prime Minister can be looked into and very quickly resolved to prevent the same kind of recurrences.

One government doctor spoke out about his concerns over a shortage of essential equipment at the NRH, apart from a shortage of medical drugs, his difficulty with the hospital’s procurement system and over poor resource funding for health services.

The British Prime Minister, the Rt.Hon Theresa May, MP, gave a speech in late June this year when celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the foundation of the British National Health Service (NHS.)
During that speech the UK PM spoke about the funding needs of the NHS ( and words which I will quote because as I see things the Solomon National Referral Hospital serving the referral patients needs of a population now said to be about 650,000) does need better funding and resource allocations with a much easier procurement system to correct past ordering and supply issues.

Readers of this article might wish to draw their own comparisons about what the British PM said and the necessity, in my view, of what the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and the NRH requires from here on.

 (Quote)

“Long-term funding

”It is clear that more money is needed to keep pace with the growing pressures on the NHS.

“But it is not just a question of more money this year or next. To meet these pressures and deliver the world-class care that we all want and expect, the NHS needs to able to plan for the future with ambition and confidence.

“Over the last seventy years increases in health funding have often been inconsistent and short-term – creating uncertainty over what the funding position will be in as little as two years’ time.

“This has led to a system of planning from one year to the next, preventing much needed investments in technology, buildings and workforce.

“We cannot continue to put a sticking plaster on the NHS budget each year.

“So we will do more than simply give the NHS a one-off injection of cash.

“So the NHS will be growing significantly faster than the economy as a whole, reflecting the fact that the NHS is this government’s number one spending priority.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Sunshine powers Tonga hospital, why not NRH?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, This should serve as a friendly reminder for us. Quote – “A new solar power system on Tonga’s far north island of Niuafo’ou is giving the local hospital a constant electricity supply 24 hours a day.

“The project received funding from the Asian Development Bank, Australia, the European Union, the Global Environment Fund and Denmark.

“The principal energy officer, Kipola So’otanga, said the hospital had previously been powered by a generator which only gave it power for six hours each day.

“Equipment such as electric fans, refrigerators, lights and others can operate through the system, Mr So’otanga said.

“The project received funding from the Asian Development Bank, Australia, the European Union, the Global Environment Fund and Denmark.” Source: Radio New Zealand.

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

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