PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Dr Tenneth Dalipanda, says the drug shortage issue experienced in the country was due to the procurement system.
Dalipanda said it has nothing to do with funding.
Speaking at a press conference called by the Prime Minister, Rick Hou, yesterday, Dapipanda said the current shortage was due to delay in the procurement process for drugs for 2018.
He said the process to procure drugs for this year started in mid-2017.
Dalipanda said the process took long before final orders were awarded to the supplier in April.
He said procurement of drugs is not as easy as one thinks as drug supplier would produce drugs that are not available.
Dalipanda the issue has nothing to do with funds as the Ministry has $50 million for the procurement of drugs.
He said they had only used only less than $20 million.
To avoid this issue from happening again, Dr. Dalipanda said their Ministry has commenced drugs procurement last month.
The order that has been made is anticipated to be awarded around September this year and the drugs should be delivered in the country next April.
This paper understands the procurement system has now come under the supervision of the MHMS’s head quarter.
THE inflation rate for Honiara has fallen by 0.9 percent in May from 194.6 in April to 192.9 recording a further decline since March says the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a monthly indicator of the variation in prices for retail goods and other items.
The basket of goods chosen represents the spending behaviour of the population of Honiara and the resulting CPI is used to calculate inflation.
Government Statistician Douglas Kimi while releasing the Honiara Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistics for the month of May recently said the decline was mainly driven by price drops in Food, Drinks and Tobacco, and Housing and Utilities categories of the index, outweighing price increases in Transport and Communication.
“The Food index dropped during the month by 1.9 percent to 178.4. This was mainly driven by price declines in fresh fruits and vegetables at the Honiara market; most notable were bush cabbage -0.1 percent, tomatoes -0.4 percent, green bean -0.3 percent, fern cabbage -0.4 percent, dry coconuts -0.2 percent, cucumber -0.1 percent and cassava -0.1 percent. These outweighed price rises in melon 0.1 percent, kumara heaps 0.1 percent, bush lime 0.2 percent, cooking bananas 0.1 percent and ripe bananas 0.2 percent resulting in the fall of the overall food index,” Mr Kimi stated.
Other major changes in other sub-indexes include;
Drinks and Tobacco slightly fell 0.9 percent driven by a marginal drop -0.02 percent in both the prices of tobacco and betel nut.
Housing and Utilities dropped 0.5 percent on account of a marginal drop -0.02 percent in both electricity charges and LP gas, outweighing a rise 0.06 percent in the price of kerosene.
Transport and Communication went up marginally by 0.06 percent resulting from slight increases in diesel and petrol prices by 0.05 per cent and 0.04 per cent respectively.
The Government Statistician said apart from the above, price movements elsewhere in the consumption basket were negligible.
He said the overall annual headline inflation rate for the month of May 2018 calculated on a three months moving average basis was 2.8 percent, down marginally by 1.1 percentage points from 3.9 percent the previous month.
The corresponding inflation rates for imported and other items were 0.1 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.
“The main underlying rates of inflation based on a 3 months moving average for the month of May 2018 were observed between -0.4 percent and 2.2 percent while the headline inflation rate was at 2.8 percent,” he added.
Participants from SIPPA, MHMS, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF),
Live and Learn and Honiara City Council health officer at the recent advocacy meeting
on the National Disaster Health response approach held at the Honiara.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Participants from SIPPA, MHMS, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Live and Learn and Honiara City Council health officer at the recent advocacy meeting on the National Disaster Health response approach held at the Honiara.
SOLOMON Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) has introduced a National Disaster Health response approach to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) public health emergency and surveillance unit officers.
This newly introduced approach is called minimum initial service package (MISP) for reproductive health in the event of disaster with a goal to decrease mortality and illness in crisis-affected populations.
Addressing the meeting Mr Ben Angoa from the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood said the approach is essential for every body’s health in the event of disaster because sexual reproductive health’s is an important component to be considered.
He said it is because of this significance’s SIPPA decided to introduce this approach to the MHMS.
“MISP is a serious of crucial actions required to respond to reproductive health needs at the onset of every event of disasters. The MISP is a set of activities that must be implemented in a coordinated manner by appropriately trained staffs.
“This set of activities forms that starting point for ensuring quality reproductive health in even the worst scenarios,” said Angoa
He said the five objectives of the MISP including to ensure health sector identifies agency to lead implementation of MISP, prevent sexual violence and assist survivors, reduce transmission of HIV, prevent excess maternal and newborn illness and mortality and plan for comprehensive reproductive health service integrated into primary health care.
Alison Ripiapu manager for public health emergency and surveillance Unit of the MHMS said this is a first advocacy workshop they had with SIPPA and it did portraits collaboration to integrate and to look at the arrangements of the national emergency responses.
She said most times SIPPA and other non-governmental organisations work own their own during responses and doesn’t come out to integrate and collaborate with the government system.
“However, I thanked SIPPA for introducing this approach; it has in line with the MHMS key main areas strategic plan 2016 – 2020 which including building strong partnership in terms of a response with stakeholders and non-governmental organisations.
“It will also improve the response services the MHMS have in place,” said Ripiapu.
SIPPA introduced this approach to the MHMS during their first advocacy meeting held at Honiara Hotel over the weekend.
A Border Security Management workshop at Taro, Choiseul Province, last Friday provided opportunity for contribution of discussions towards the country’s border issues.
More than thirty participants comprising of members of the Provincial Assemblies, Heads of Divisions, Chiefs and Church leaders attended the workshop that was facilitated by a team led by the National Security Policy Division (NSPD) of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services).
Heading NSPD were the Director of National Security Mr David Diosi and NSPD’s Consultant Mr Bernard Bata’anisia, with the assistance of resourceful people under the National and Choiseul Provincial Governments.
According to Choiseul Province Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Nerio Ulemiki, the workshop provided an opportunity where the participants and Choiseul Provincial Government discussed and contributed ideas towards enhancing and supporting the border security management and its structures and mechanisms in the province and country.
“It also provided opportunities for the participants to interact with one another through sharing and understanding of border security management issues, build strategic linkages and sharing of information and networking between the Choiseul Provincial Government and all stakeholders on the broader border security management issues and its implementation,” explained Hon Ulemiki.
He said the outcomes of the workshop resulted in participants having better understanding and appreciation of the importance of the implementation mechanisms on the border and serious active participation by the local population.
“An outcome report was produced at the end of the workshop which will be fed into the National Security Policy framework discussion and debate,” said Hon Ulemiki.
PRIME Minister Rick Hou has announced the current drug shortage situation experienced in the country is now under control.
Prime Minister Hou made the assurance at an urgent press conference in Honiara yesterday.
He admitted his government has been very concern about this issue.
Respond to concerns raised by members of the public about the country’s drug shortage situation, Prime Minister Hou convened an emergency session of caucus yesterday afternoon where officials from the Ministry of Health and medical Services (MHMS) briefed caucus about the situation.
“I have been assured during the caucus meeting that our drug shortage situation is now under control,” Hou said.
Prime Minister Hou said the country’s primary order will be delivered to the country next month and early September.
The primary order will cater for the country’s demand for drugs until June 2019.
The Prime Minister revealed in addition to the primary order, the MHMS has placed four more orders.
They are;
Critical Drugs, Dressing and Consumables. This order is mostly for the National Referral Hospital (NRH). This order is currently in the country and will be cleared from the Ports in the coming days.
Essential Drugs. This is for the whole country. These drugs will be delivered at the country’s National Medical Store (NMS) next month.
Emergency Drugs. These drugs are for the whole country until primary order is delivered. Some of this order will be delivered by ship and others by air. Those to be delivered by air are expected in the coming weeks.
Anaesthetic Drugs and Supplies are expected to be airfreighted into the country in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Hou said he will talk with the Chief Executive Officer of the Solomon Airlines to give priority freights to our drugs.
He said the public must be assured that the government is addressing this matter with outmost urgency.
“We are confident that all drugs that have been procured since April this year will be in the country next month. Most of the drugs have already started arriving over the past week,” Prime Minister Hou said.
He admitted he had taken personal interest in this matter.
“I have taken a personal interest in this matter and I will keep it under a regular review to ensure what I and the caucus had been assured about will happen,” Prime Minister Hou said.
He said the government will ensure the drug situation in the country remains a priority.
The Prime Minister also mentioned putting additional money to cater for the procurement of drugs.
Permanent Secretary of the MHMS, Dr Tenneth Dalipanda, said funding for drugs is enough.
Dalipanda said of the $50 million for drugs, they have only used less than $20 million.
He said the issue currently faced is something to do with the procurement system and not with funding.
Prime Minister Hou said this matter is of serious concern to his government.
“The health of our people must not be compromised whether through shortcomings by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, or our tender systems or from our partners,” Prime Minister Hou said.
He said the country should never be in an untenable position of running out of its most essential drugs.
Georjemah Row and Vinda Teally standing in the center of the Bronco Tennis women’s team.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Row focuses during a singles match during one of their matches.Vinda Teally in action.
THE United States of America-based tennis duo has blended in well since joining New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) earlier this year.
Over the past months, the duo in the form of Georjemah Row and Vinda Teally have teamed really well with NMMI’s Bronco Tennis Women’s Team to win many matches as possible in the 2018 Women’s NJCAA National Championships
Row and Teally are currently undertaking three years tennis scholarships at NMMI where they are being coached by former Oceania Tennis Development Officer Dan O’Connell at Bronco Tennis in Roswell, New Mexico.
With the help of the Solomon Islands nationals, Bronco Tennis had registered wins over Tarleton State University, Ottawa University, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Glendale Community College, University of the Southwest, Cowley County Community College, Barton Community College and Iowa Central Community College.
“Our team is really shaping up really nicely and I am happy with how they are performing so far,” said coach O’Connell.
Currently in their freshman year, Row and Teally’s scholarships will lapse after three years but will be extended further if they continue top level performance.
Georjemah Row and Vinda Teally standing in the center of the Bronco Tennis women’s team.Georjemah Row flies to make a swing on the racquet.Vina Teally goes high for the ball in one of her matches.
Officials who witnessed the Grand Opening of the 2018 Kakamora Cup Challenge.
THE Kakamora Cup Challenge in Makira Ulawa Province will enter day three of competition today at the Manita Sports Ground in West Makira.
The grand opening of the Kakamora Cup Challenge was successfully done on Tuesday afternoon at the Manita Sports ground and was witnessed by more than 400 people including participating teams according to Makira Ulawa Football Association (MUFA) Vice President Mr Roxley Tara.
Mr Tara said pool matches for the competition will take place this week and expects to enter the finals next week.
He adds that MUFA will use the tournament to select players for the provincial Real Kakamora squad for this year’s Solomon Games.
“This is the highest football tournament hosted by MUFA in the province. This year we have agreed to send a U-23 football team for the Solomon Games,” Tara said.
“This year’s competition will be interesting because the selection for the provincial Real Kakamora squad for the Solomon Games will also be done during the tournament.
Teams parade during the opening ceremony.Team Central West
“As soon as the tournament ends names for the Real Kakamora U-13 man training squad for the Solomon Games will be made known public,” he adds.
Meanwhile results from day one of the competition on Wednesday are as follows:
Game 01 – Ulawa vs Manita – Pool A – Manita won by 2 goals to 1
Game 02 – Bauro West vs Starharbour – Pool B – Star Harbour won by 5 goals to 1
Game 03 – Arosi 1 vs Arosi Kings – Pool A – Arosi Kings won by 4 goals to 1
Game 04 – East Haura vs Aorigi – Pool B – Draw 1-1
Teams competing in the 2018 Kakamora Cup Challenge are as follows:
Guadalcanal tribal leaders accepting shell money and chupus presented to
them by members of the Gilbertese community.
BY MIKE PUIA
MEMBERS of the Kiribati community in Honiara have all the reasons to celebrate on Thursday.
Not only it’s their Independence Day but, their wish to return to the land they called “second home” at Foxwood, on North Guadalcanal, has finally been fulfilled yesterday.
Members of the Kiribati community presented shell money, chupus and cash to Ghaobata tribal leaders and the door to return to where they once settled was opened.
The people of Kiribati were allocated a land area at Foxwood by the colonial government in the 1970s. They were given a Perpetual Estate (PE) title.
Guadalcanal leaders enjoying the entertainments provided by members of the Gilbertese community.
Kiribati people settled there for years. There were even intermarriages taking place.
When the ethnic crisis broke out on Guadalcanal, 19 years ago, they abandoned the land for fear of their lives.
Not until peace was restored in 2003, when the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) arrived, that they wanted to return.
Their long wish to return was settled yesterday during a reconciliation and recognition ceremony.
For members of the Kiribati community, it’s a ‘thank you for accepting us back’ ceremony while for the indigenous people on North Guadalcanal it was a ‘welcome back’ ceremony.
Guadalcanal tribal leaders accepting shell money and chupus presented to them by members of the Gilbertese community.
Chiefs representing tribal groups within Ghaobata House of Chiefs, Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal Mr Samson Maneka, Guadalcanal province’s deputy premier Mr Peter Araonisaka, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Guadalcanal Post Conflict Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Restoration Association president Mr Joseph Sangu and members of the communities round Foxwood witness the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, MP for North Guadalcanal Mr Maneka thanked chiefs and leaders in the region for their wisdom in making sure the Kiribati people return.
Being a former Minister for the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation and Peace, he said it has been his wish to see peace prevailed in the constituency.
Kiribati community members shaking hands with members of Foxwood and nearby community at a ceremony welcoming Kiribati community members back
Maneka said the event fulfilled his dream for the constituency to enjoy love and peace.
He said there will be ups and downs but he trusts leaders, especially chiefs and leaders of the constituency and that of the Kiribati community will ensure there is peace.
Maneka assured the Kiribati people that as their MP, he will make sure they enjoy their stay.
Deputy Premier of the province, Mr Araonisaka, encourages his people to show caring attitude toward the people of Kiribati who returned to their land.
He said they were with them but situation forced them to leave and now they are back.
Araonisaka said the chupus and gifts the Kiribati people presented is a huge thing, based on Guadalcanal tradition, and so it must be respected.
He added “you are now part of Guadalcanal”.
Respected elder from the Kiribati community in Honiara, Mr John Bakeua, made a powerful and emotional respond.
Bakeua said their people were once North Guadalcanal brothers and sisters until the country’s dark days.
He said had there were no dark days they are still with North Guadalcanal people.
Bakeua said the speeches from Guadalcanal leaders have strike them to the nerves.
He said there are no words to say thank you for the assurance and acceptance given to them.
Bakeua said the ceremony presents a new light and life for his people.
“I can only assure you that your culture will be our culture,”
Beside the chupus, the Gilbertese community also hand over money as token of appreciation to Guadalcanal tribal
leaders. Photos by Mike Puia
By Mike Puia
LEADER of Foxwood community on North Guadalcanal has conveyed their apologies to members of the Kiribati community in the country.
Chief Andrew Kuvu made the apology during a reconciliation and acceptance ceremony at Foxwood community yesterday.
The ceremony marks the return of Kiribati people to their land at Foxwood – a land they were forced to abandon during the ethnic crisis on Guadalcanal in 1999.
Kuvu said the people of Kiribati are not new to them.
Members of the Gilbertese community at Foxwood, North Guadalcanal, during the ceremony on Thursday.
“This is your old home. Welcome back,” Kuvu told members of the Kiribati community who were present at the ceremony.
He said they are sorry for what had happened which forced the Kiribati people to move out 19 years ago.
Kuvu said during the past years the Kiribati people were their brothers and sisters.
He said the ceremony will re-unite them with Kiribati people.
Kuvu, who is also the chairman of the community, said he looks forward to the time their people will join hands with the Kiribati people and enjoy their stay.
He urged his people and those in nearby communities and members of the Kiribati community who were present at the ceremony to respect and take care of each other.
Beside the chupus, the Gilbertese community also hand over money as token of appreciation to Guadalcanal tribal leaders. Photos by Mike Puia
PAIWAN tribe from the Republic of China (Taiwan) during the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival showcased a tradition costume made from tree bark.
The costume is one of the cultural identities of the Paiwan tribe, which is one of Taiwan’s 16 tribes.
The tree barks are pounded and designs and patterns are woven into them.
This year’s MACFest saw representatives of the Paiwan tribe and the Amis tribe, who displayed and shared their cultures with other participants by way of dances, singing and items.
Island Sun team met with the Director General for Indigenous People Cultural Development Centre, Council of Indigenous People in Taiwan Mr Tseng Chih Yung and explained Paiwan’s costume is made of tree bark.
Diversity of culture at closing of 6th MACFest.
It was then used in square cloths made up of hemp, cotton or wool, he explained.
Mr Yung said men’s clothes include Chinese-style crew neck long-sleeve shirt, short skirt and outer rectangular cape draping over shoulder.
At important ceremonies people from Paiwan will wear hat, long jacket, male leg covering and shoulder belt, carrying a knife with them.
For female, clothes include one-piece dress with right collar and a crewneck, long skirt, leg covering, headband, elaborate wreath or forehead band.
Paiwan chiefs and noble families are entitle to certain patterns such as human head, human finger or hundred-pace snake that indicate their distinct noble status.
Members of the Paiwan tribe
The special status of the chief and nobility is shown in costume, hand tattoo and wrist tattoo which they use to decorate their body.
Common people can also obtain their privilege to tattoo their body and hand after they honored for some achievement.
Paiwan is known for its family name, the concept of family and strict hierarchy which involves politics, marriage, religion and art in the society.
Paiwan people celebrate Millet Harvest Festival.
Besides, the Vuculj group of Paiwan celebrates ‘Five-Year Ritual’ every five years and invite ancestral spirits to come and visit their offspring.
It is also called the Ritual of the Union between people and Gods.
