BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Health officials have been urged to refocus approaches when implementing the national healthy setting resolutions.

Deputy Premier of Western Province, Brian Lotikena emphasised that targets should be on the root cause of health issues rather than clinical approaches.

He said spending more funds of promotions and conferences cannot solve the country’s health issues.

Lotikena stressed that more support should go towards how to create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyle in homes, communities, work places and churches.

He said the Healthy Setting initiative is a brilliant framework to encourage not only bottom-up approach but also inclusive if implemented perfectly.

“The Healthy Island setting initiative is akin to taking the fight to the root causes of our health issues rather than waiting for people to get sick and then addressing their illnesses at the hospital.

“This is perfect because we are taking a preventative approach where we create environments and settings in our homes, communities, work spaces, churches, and so forth, that deter sickness.

“It is less costly, very practical and once our populace becomes used to it, it becomes a healthy lifestyle.

“This in my view, is a more sustainable approach because we are targeting habits, behavior and mindsets,” Lotikena said.

He acknowledges the government and donor partners for supporting the National Healthy Setting Conference.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

The Deputy Premier of Western Province urges health professionals to embrace change and take responsibility to shape a better future.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Healthy Setting Conference in Gizo last week, Brian Lotikena said the country’s progress depends on the willingness of leaders and citizens to transform lessons learned into practical actions.

He challenges them to shift community mindsets through health interventions, education, and sustainable planning.

Lotikena said a proactive approach is vital in addressing the country’s health challenges.

“It is time to leave behind regrets and fears of uncertainty,” he said.

Lotikena reminded participants that the strategies, plans, and interventions developed during the conference are only the beginning of long-term work that requires commitment.

He added that the conference outcomes now demand action on the ground, calling for cooperation among health professionals, communities, and government institutions.

“I would like to emphasize here that this past week has been one where we are looking at ways and means to create a better, brighter, and sustainable future for our children and their children. The best way to predict the future is to create it. Let’s create a better and brighter future for Solomon Islands,” Lotikena said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A recent assessment on tuna stock globally has indicated that tuna stocks in the Pacific region remain biologically healthy.

The Pacific region is host to more than half of the world’s tuna catches and is home to tuna species like albacore, yellowfin, bigeye, and skipjack.

A report on the findings was prepared during the Honiara Summit on SDG 14.4, and later presented at the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele highlighted this in his address during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last Friday.

He said this year, Solomon Islands co-hosted a summit on SDG 14.4 with several UN and regional partners.

Manele said the event gathered Pacific leaders, fisheries organizations, the private sector, and scientists to assess global health of tuna stocks, climate impacts and strengthen partnerships on small scale fisheries.

He mentioned that conclusions of the meeting were presented at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

Manele stated that “over half of the world’s tuna is caught in Pacific waters, and all four species—albacore, yellowfin, bigeye and skipjack remain biologically healthy. 

“Our region stands ready to collaborate with the international community and share our experience in fisheries management and restoring fishing zones to sustainable level based on science,” he said.

Manele emphasized that the finding is proof that the world acts better together as stewards of the ocean.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

The Deputy Premier of Western Province calls on the government, donor partners, and all stakeholders to come together to support the implementation of the Healthy Setting Resolutions.

Speaking at the closing of the National Healthy Setting Conference in Gizo, Brian Lotikena said the lack of cross-sectoral coordination remains one of the biggest challenges in addressing health issues across the country.

“Everybody seems to be operating within their own silos without being aware of what is going on in other sectors. We seem to be paddling our own canoes in open waters without looking out for each other. That kind of behaviour is un-Solomon like,” he said.

Lotikena stressed that health is a cross-cutting issue that requires collaboration among government ministries, NGOs, donor partners, and communities.

He acknowledges the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and donor partners for investing in the Healthy Setting initiative, which he said lays the foundation for long-term development.

“This is a huge undertaking and it will require resources, manpower, leadership, and commitment by all players across the board,” he added.

Lotikena said the conference has provided valuable insights, options, and strategies for stakeholders to pool resources and better address health sector challenges.

“Our future depends on how we work together to create a conducive environment that will ultimately fulfill the program’s intended outcomes,” he said.

Lotikena also acknowledges the government for choosing Gizo as the host of the 2025 National Healthy Setting Conference.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Western Province, I would like to convey our most sincere thanks and gratitude to all of your participants for gracing our shores during the past week. We also hope that you were able to visit some of the sites around here and get to have a taste of Western Province,” he said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

A two-member team from the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) is in Sinamuari Clinic, West Kwaio, Malaita Province, to conduct cervical cancer testing among women of ages between 25 and 40.

Registered nurse, Mercy Surana said the testing programme will help women, especially in rural areas, to know whether they have cervical cancer or not. 

She said the team started the testing on Wednesday, September 24, and will finish off today, Friday, September 26, 2025.

Surana explained that from this programme, mothers will be able to learn more about their bodies and if they have cervical cancer or not.

“With this, the women will also get educated about related information, what to do if they have it, and prevention measures for cervical cancer if they don’t have it,” she said.

Jacinta I’ama’afu appreciates the SIPPA team for bringing the cervical cancer testing program to the rural areas.

She said many women in the communities have heard about cervical cancer as a killer, don’t really know much about how to find out if they have or do not have the disease.

“We have heard about the killer disease, but we don’t know how to know if we have it. But today, we are lucky that this vital outreach program has come to our doorstep,” she said.

I’ama’afu encourages other mothers who have not been tested to come forward and get tested.

“I want to make a call and encourage other mothers who are yet to come for testing to come forward as soon as possible, as this opportunity only comes once,” she said.

According to reports from the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with around 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.

The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-income countries.

This reflects major inequities driven by a lack of access to national HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment services, as well as social and economic determinants.

Countries around the world are working to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in the coming decades, with an agreed set of three targets to be met by 2030.

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BY MORRIS ANFU

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is pressing ahead with plans to extend the retirement age for frontline health workers from 55 to 65, aiming to address a severe shortage in the sector.

This proposed extension of service comes amidst ongoing challenges in maintaining a robust health workforce.

MHMS Permanent Secretary, Paulin McNeil, appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for the Public Service Bill 2025, explained that the move will allow the retention of seasoned professionals to guide younger staff.

She highlighted that nearly 40 percent of the current workforce is approaching retirement age, highlighting the urgency.

The proposal specifically targets clinical roles, including doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and other medical service providers, while sparing administrative positions.

“This is mainly for our health clinicians, doctors, and nurses—our labs, medical teams, and those directly involved in patient care.

“Admin roles are different; anyone can handle those, but we desperately need to bolster our clinical workforce,” McNeil said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale countered that the matter could be addressed more flexibly through regulations rather than embedding it in the main Bill.

McNeil noted that the ministry currently has about 12 workers past 55 operating under fixed-term appointments (FTAs) nationwide, but stressed these falls far short of what’s needed.

On whether expanding FTAs might be a simpler alternative, she affirms the preference for raising the retirement age to 65 for health services.

“Of course, it could impact the budget and finances, but given our situation, it’s essential,” McNeil stressed.

The Public Service Bill 2025 is still being scrutinized and expected to conclude this week before making it’s way to parliament soon.

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