BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE country’s young generation is suffering from malnourishment as a result of poor diet and recurrent infections, it is reported.

Children are the worse affected and are at a greater risk of getting sick or even death.

A recent Health Core Indicator Report of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services said children between 12 and 17 months old are vulnerable.

The HIS Health Facility Monthly Report also revealed 10 percent of children from 2015-2017 were classified as malnourished or severely malnourished.

Choiseul province recorded the highest number of malnourished children at 13 percent, while Rennell-Bellona three percent and Malaita five percent – recorded as the lowest during the same period.

Choiseul recorded highest in terms of infant and under-five mortality rates for the same period, according the health ministry’s report.

“Around one in ten children under two years are malnourished or severely malnourished, and children are most likely to suffer from malnourishment is between 12 and 17 months old.”

MHMS said such findings and observation is important for its daily operations especially the Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health (RMNCAH) division.

Although the report may be an artefact of small numbers and currently unknown reporting bias, the consistency of the trend over the four years analysed and between the provinces indicates this is worth further investigation.

MHMS adds, the need for family planning is a concern despite significant improvements.

It said health for women and children is Solomon Islands continues to be priority to set focus on high maternal mortality, out-of-facility births, and recent increases in incidence of STIs and high unmet needs.

Nutritional imbalance and malnutrition resulting in under-nutrition (assessed by underweight, stunting and wasting) are important public health indicators for monitoring population health.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has told a man alleged of assaulting a police officer while executing his duties to find a lawyer to assist him.

Peter Lebia Paumani is facing charges of possessing weapon in a restricted place and assault on a police officer while in execution of his duties.

Paumani was alleged of assaulting a police officer at the Mendana Avenue while executing his duty on April 6 this year.

Police said that the accused was drunk and tried to stop vehicles travelling along the Mendana Avenue, and at that time the officer was at the bus stop and observed the behaviour of the accused.

While the officer observed the accused, a public bus stopped and the bus conductor came out and called out for passengers at the Mendana bus stop.

Suddenly the accused went to the bus conductor and slapped him. It was at that time the police officer approached him and tried to ask why he slapped the conductor.

It is alleged when the officer approached him he refused and slapped the officer; it was at that time he was arrested and remanded in custody.

On the previous occasion the accused asked the court for bail but since he has no lawyer to assist him the court adjourned the case for yesterday.

Yesterday he again asked for another bail but the court refused as he is yet to secure a lawyer to assist him.

The case was then adjourned to May 15 for mention and also for the accused to confirm to the court whether he has already secured a lawyer for his case.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

PRESIDENT of People’s Power Association of South Gela is calling on Central Islands Premier, Patrick Vasuni to stop politicising land allocation in Tulagi town.

Mr John Visivisi explained to Island Sun that his land in Tulagi which he plans to utilise for tourism development was handled by Mr Vasuni.

He said Vasuni and his executive made an illegal allocation of his land which he referred to as “Lot 401” to another individual in 2017.

Visivisi expressed that this has caused disturbance to his development plans for a tourism project and also creates confusion for both parties.

He said that as head and chairman of the executive government, Vasuni should advise his executive members to follow the right process when it comes to dealing with crown land in Tulagi.

Speaking to the paper, Vasuni stressed that he does not act alone when it comes it allocating land in Tulagi so it is improper for Visivisi to say that his is politicising land in Tulagi.

More importantly, he voiced that in the case of land allocation, there is a process that is followed where the planning division is involved in carrying out important tasks such as land verification and map checks before executive is advised.

Vasuni furthered that since Lot 401 is currently a legal matter, it is too early for Visivisi to go to the media and make such statements.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A landowner from Ubuna village, Makira-Ulawa province is calling for the police to address a serious matter that occurred on May 3.

Mr Joe Lui explained to the paper that, a group of landowners had placed a blockade to avoid a logging operation entry into a concession area.

However, he said the landowner’s demonstration of disagreement did not go well with the Asians as one of them destroyed the blockade which caused one of the landowners to retaliate and assault the Asian.

Mr Lui stressed that the matter became more intense when the Asian headed back to the camp only to return with more Asian workers who were armed with knives and sticks.

He said that after searching for the local and failing to locate him, they took the matter into their own hands by placing tying ropes around his house and pulling it down with a loader and land cruiser.

Mr Lui brands the act as “criminal” and a matter that should not be tolerated.

He added that while both sides should be charged, the case involving the house should be dealt with by the law because it is very serious.

Mr Lui mentioned that although police were deployed on that day, for them to be deployed at the camp than the village is sending landowners a different message and wave of suspicion.

He strongly calls on the police to address the matter, noting that if no action is taken then this is corruption.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Choiseul province nurses working in rural clinics are commended by locals for their continuous efforts to save lives, working tirelessly beyond normal working hours.

Mr Nerio Ulemiki, the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru reporting on behalf of locals, said nurses in the province have worked tirelessly beyond normal working hours so they need to be commended too.

“This is part of being a motive for encouragement,” said Ulemiki.

“For tireless efforts during extra times beyond normal working hours and for so many times facing difficulties through rough weather conditions and sleepless nights to save lives, we thank them for their great ministry.”

Sirovanga Rural Health Clinic at Choiseul province has also recently re-opened, back to its normal services, after seven months of closure under repair and maintenance, which is a boost of medical service assistance in the province.

Also recently, over 1000 people witnessed the handing over ceremony of Kanata’s new clinic building at Nuatabu community in Kiruqela Ward 16, Northeast Choiseul.

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team will conduct a live demolition of bombs at Hells Point, in the Alligator Creek east of Honiara tomorrow.

Officer In-charge (OIC) of EOD, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “The Hells Point Demolition Range in Central Guadalcanal area will be active from 8am to 2pm on May 10.”

“Fishermen, farmers, hunters and the general public in the Henderson area, Alligator Creek and Tenaru School areas are kindly warned to keep out from Hells Point while the Operation is in progress.

“This is a normal EOD task aimed to reduce the amount of UXOs/AXOs stored at the site to a minimum level.

“The Air Traffic Control Tower at Honiara International Airport will coordinate the firing of each serial.

“No serial is to be fired without specific air clearance and permission from Honiara Air Traffic Control Tower.

“An EOD Operator/Technician from the RSIPF EOD Team will be posted at the control tower during this operation from the actual times of the Demolition and completion time.”

–POLICE MEDIA