NRH mental health department dealing with 1,652 cases in first half of 2025, Health minister Bosawai tells Parliament

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

In the first half of 2025 alone (January to June) the Psychiatric Department of the National Referral Hospital managed 1,652 mentally ill patients, of which around 9 percent were new cases.

While causes of mental health illness are numerous, drugs is one of the leading causes in the country, Health Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosawai told parliament yesterday.

This alarming state was observed with a consistent increase of referrals of patients from January to June 2025, indicating a growing public awareness, as well as the ongoing psychosocial stresses faced by many citizens.

And of particular concern were 44 new cases of psychosis, highlighting the urgent need for strengthening our mental health services capacity and public health response, Mr Bosawai said.

Minister Bosawai revealed this alarming statistic, when responding to questions asked by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale on the health ministry’s (MHMS) plan to expand and improve services to mental patients in the country.

The Minister said the MHMS recognises the increasing demand for mental health services across the country, in responding to a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.

“We aim to strengthen the system from both clinical and community-based perspectives, relating to early detection, prevention, and timely treatment.

“One of the focuses of MHMS is to scale up access to early detection and prevention, because early treatment is very important for mental illness,” Bosawai added.

The Minister said MHMS has appointed provincial mental health coordinators at provincial hospitals to improve coverage and coordination.

Despite the important campaign, issues such as logistics, staff and infrastructure remain challenging keys to strengthening mental health accessibility.

A team from NRH is also going around giving treatment to psychiatric patients, and will continue with this work.

He said on the partnership with Kilu’ufi hospital, the ministry continues to collaborate closely with the National Psychiatric Unit at Kilu’ufi hospital, particularly to transfer patients over there.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in his address at the 80th Session of UNGA earlier this year had said that “the Pacific is confronted with rising Mental health and abuse of drugs”.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands is a notably youthful nation with approximately 70 percent of the population under the age of 34.

Cathy Tosasai a year-12 student from St Joseph Tenaru National Secondary School expressed this when she addressed participants at this year’s International Day of Peace School Speech competition.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGPEA) on Friday 11 October, 2025 with the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.

The event was held at the St Barnabas Cathedral Melanesian Hall in Honiara.

“Today, I would like to address the importance of immediate action for a peaceful Solomon Islands and emphasise that we, the youth, are pivotal to this transformation. Who is the youth in the Solomon Islands? As stated by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, the Solomon Islands is a notably youthful nation. About 70 percent of the population is under 34 years old.

“What implications does this have? It signifies energy, creativity, innovation, idealism, and significant responsibility. Peace is the fertile ground where education, opportunity, equality, and prosperity can flourish,” said Tosasai.

She said that peace is stimulated when young individuals are educated, gain employment, and have the freedom to move.

She noted that, when they are marginalised or experience unequal development, social challenges emerge.

“Our strength lies in our diversity, our provinces, languages, and cultures. However, to foster peace, this diversity must be approached with equity and fairness. When youth are unemployed and lack a voice, some may resort to crime. Yet, through meaningful employment, mentorship, and youth programs, many young individuals contribute to alleviating tensions within their communities.

“Let our voices resonate across our islands, I urge you, my fellow young people, will you rise? Will you become peace builders, innovators, and leaders? Will you strive not only for your own benefit but for every island, every province, and every child? Together, as one people, one heart, one nation, we can ensure a peaceful Solomon Islands,” Tosasai said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Member of Parliament for Lau Mbaelelea Constituency, Malaita Province, Ben Maenu’u has set an example by helping an elderly person.

He bought a new wheelchair and donated it to DMI Sister Julian Olokwao, who resides at Visale Catholic Station. 

The Secretary of the Constituency Development Committee, Eddie Kairi, said Maenu’u responded to Olokwao’s request for a wheelchair after just two hours.

He said Maenu’u has known Sister Olokwao for a long time and is willing to help those who serve the church. 

“I was very surprised that when I told him about the request for Sister Olokwao at 10 am, after just two hours, he called me to take the wheelchair and deliver it to Sister Olokwao at Visale Catholic Station,” Kairi said.

“Sr Julian Olokwao and Hon. Maenu’u have known each other for a long time. Donating the wheelchair is a privilege for Maenu’u to give to someone he knows very well,” he added. 

The donation of the wheelchair coincided with Olokwao’s 75th birthday, which was on October 8. 

In response to the donation, Olokwao thanked Maenu’u for the gift and said that he is a leader who has a heart and cares for the elderly. 

She also sent an invitation to Maenu’u to visit her at Visale at any time and to enjoy swimming in Visale Bay. 

“I know that you don’t have an educational background, but your heart and mind are beautiful for helping the elderly.

“God is always good and stays with you all, to have a good heart, and I am very happy. Thank you,” she said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has stepped in to support the Auki Town Council by allowing their front gate area at Aligegeo for rubbish backfilling.

This was after the town council faced challenges in finding a venue to be used for dumping rubbish.

The temporary dumpsite at Kunu was closed and the construction of the new Gwaigeo landfill is yet to be completed.

This caused environmental disasters, unacceptable odor and piles of rubbish waste lying around Auki town and in residential areas.

In an interview with Island Sun Auki, the Local Council Division of the Malaita Provincial Government, Hazel B Fanai said there is no formal deal made with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

She said CCECC wanted their front gate area to be back-filled.

She said the first two truckloads of rubbish were dumped yesterday which has helped to reduce the piles of rubbish in the town.

“Actually, we don’t have any formal deal with the CCECC for using their area for rubbish dumping, but they themselves want to backfill their area.

“It can be stopped at any time when the area is full and suitable for them to cover with their gravel.

“When the CCECC area is full, we will still find somewhere to dump the rubbish,” said Fanai.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands music artist Jeremy Saeni, known as Jaro Local, said the Bonfire Festival music show is designed to enhance the skills of artists and provide them with invaluable experience.

The Bonfire music show took place successfully this year in Honiara for the third consecutive time, and Jaro Local conveyed the mission and vision that underpin this significant musical event.

“For us, as music artists, this type of show is essential for showcasing our talents, refining our skills, and gaining valuable experience. Furthermore, it greatly facilitates collaboration with both local and Pacific musicians. In this regard, we can unite to promote not only the artists but also the sponsors. This is the opportunity that Bonfire offers us,” he said.

He explained that Bonfire is a term that signifies activities such as lighting a fire by the seaside, smoking fish, and singing.

“As I have consistently mentioned, Bonfire refers to activities like lighting a fire by the seaside, smoking fish, and singing. This symbolises the entire atmosphere and concept behind the bonfire. However, we have expanded it into a larger platform, featuring a stage and many attendees participating in the event,” Jaro told Island Sun.

The Pacific Crown Hotel’s waterfront venue in Honiara came alive on Saturday night 11 October as the 2025 Bonfire Festival delivered a vibrant celebration of Pacific musical extravaganza.

The full line-up featured: Julie Tolman & Lil Crisp, Jques AlamoD, Stanley T, Baleh, Miyah, Chelsie, Lonna, Kayler, Squally, Stoney B, Poetik, 56 Hop Rod, J I’m boy, Kali Tui, Liz Vamarasi, Jaro Local, and Fejoint.

The mixture of artists provided a night of entertainment for music lovers, fans and party goers.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The communities of East Wainoni district in East Makira Constituency, Makira Ulawa province were denied of reliable shipping services to the area for many years.

The issue of poor shipping service has been there for many years since the stop of Landing Craft (LC) Kotu since late 1980s and from then on there were no reliable shipping service for East Makira constituency.

The communities have questioned why the past and present political leaders in East Makira have miserably failed to address the issue although they knew exactly that this is one vital service for the people.

The issue has created so much suffering in terms of:

• Timely access to ordered cargoes from Honiara,
• Shipment of agricultural products like coca and copra, etc.
• Expensive charge to hire OBM canoe to arrive at home upon arrival at Kirakira port and vice versa,
• Denied people’s rights to generate income to meet their basic needs.
• Slows down the desire of local farmers and entrepreneurs to carry on with their business activities.
• The problem of back loading from the ports is perhaps one excuse.

“How can you expect back loading when there are no reliable shipping services to the area? Currently copra and cocoa farmers are producing very good number of bags from 100 to 500,” said a concerned person.

The spokesman said local copra and cocoa traders in East Wainoni (ward 13) have spent additional resources to transport their products (Copra, Cocoa) by sea to Kirakira and Wainoni bay ports, given the shipping companies licensed to operate in Makira Ulawa province have failed to extend their services to ward 13.

“I call on the current Member of Parliament (MP) for East Makira Constituency together with all Ward assembly members to address this chronic challenge,” the concerned mans said.

MP for East Makira Franklyn Derek Wasi said he acknowledges the issue of irregular shipping services not only to wards 13 but to the whole East Makira Constituency which is the largest in the Makira Ulawa Province with a total of eight wards.

He told Island Sun yesterday that he highlighted the two main challenges of East Makira Constituency are irregular shipping and telecommunications in his maiden speech in Parliament.

“Now we have new towers been erected and ready for launching and use. The next is the shipping services in which the current MP acknowledges and hopes to secure additional funding under the National Transport Fund with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), but that depends on external funding support,” he said.

He said that another plan is to work on the road in which engineers under MID will do scooping survey work.

“But traditional landowners must open up their land to allow development to take place,” Wasi said.

In terms of the Agriculture sector, Minister also acknowledges the hardship and MAL under its revolving fund, are offering fuel subsidy to local ship owners.

“Already we sent MV Ocean Joy and MV Florence under Franjti Shipping. MAL will again provide fuel subsidy for MV Florence to make another trip this month of October to bring cocoa, copra and timber from Makira Ulawa Province,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture said he is trying his very best to at least help and this is best he can do to help his people of East Makira Constituency.

“Together, we can work hand in hand to address the matter,” he said.

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Country has no fatality related to covid-19 vaccine side-effects, Health Minister Bosawai tells Parliament

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands has not recorded any deaths related to side-effects of Covid-19 vaccines, says Health Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosawai.

Speaking in parliament yesterday, he said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has ‘not been informed nor investigated any unexpected deaths related to Covid-19 vaccinations.

Bosawai was responding to the question “Can the Minister update the house on any recorded case of unexpected deaths linked to COVID 19 vaccinations?” put forth by the Member of Parliament for West Kwara’ae, Alfred Tuasulia.

“The Minister of Health and Medical Services has not been informed nor investigated any related deaths to COVID-19 vaccination since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme started in 2019. Hence, there are no records, unexpected details that link to covid-19,” Bosawai said.

He added that data from the National Referral Hospital (NRH) also shows that there are no deaths recorded due to Covid-19 vaccination side effects.

Bosawai said 22 children who were admitted with respiratory illness, but also positive with covid-19 in 2023 are all alive, recovered and discharged plus multiple major studies and other global health authorities, also do not find any link between Covid-19 vaccine and early or sudden death.

He said that research consistently showed that Covid-19 vaccination significantly reduced the risk of death from the virus.

“The claims linking vaccination to a shorter lifespan or sudden death have been widely discredited as misinformation,” he said.

Bosawai said that the thoughts that vaccination induces premature death circulated is not only in the Solomon Islands, but in other countries as well.

He said in terms of reduced overall mortality, extensive research is indicating that Covid-19 vaccines are associated with a reduced risk of death from any cause among vaccinated individuals.

Bosawai mentioned that other multiple studies have also indicated and found no connection between Covid-19 vaccination and sudden or unexplained death.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale commended the Minister and at the same time questioned the implications of Del or long covid.

“Regarding the issue of long covid (Delta covid), research conducted overseas has shown that it is a significant concern. Is this related to the vaccination or the covid virus itself? If so, do we have instances of long covid in the Solomon Islands? If we do, how many cases are there, and how serious is the situation?” he asked.

In response, Bosawai said it resembles an earthquake, akin to experiencing aftershocks.

“Indeed, we have cases. However, it is crucial to grasp the virus’s mutation and behavior. Many people now refer to it as a common flu, yet we are not conducting tests for it. I cannot dismiss the possibility that it does not exist in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Wale opposed, however, that according to an overseas medical journal he read, the situation is not as Bosawai portrayed.

“It is not merely the aftermath of an earthquake. It is akin to a major earthquake that follows smaller shocks. Patients are severely debilitated, struggling to rise, and even young individuals lack energy for months, making it seem more severe than the initial covid infection itself.

“My inquiry was whether we have any cases of this, or if we have somehow avoided the more severe consequences,” Wale said.

In response, Bosawai said he would investigate further.

“I currently do not have data on this matter, but I will look into it. It is essential that we revisit and reinvest in our diagnostic tools to re-evaluate covid,” Bosawai said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

Poana Women’s Savings Club of Pusiju community in Southeast Vella la Vella, Western province donated $10,000-worth equipment to the community.

The handover ceremony was held on Sunday, October 12, 2025 and was witnessed by community members.

Maxwell Ege, Project Coordinator of the Indigenous People for Sustainable Biodiversity Solomon Islands revealed this is in a press statement yesterday.

He said the donated equipment were received by church leader, Israel Paebara and church pastor Jonathan Bukiri on behalf of the community.

The items include two JBL speakers, cables, one Yamaha keyboard, two ukuleles, one streetlight and 19 Biluah hymn books.

This donation is the first of its kind from the women’s group.

This came about after the establishment of the women’s savings club last month by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF Solomon Islands) as part of the current partnership with the community-on-Community Based Fisheries Management Programme.

Since the establishment of the club, the women have initiated small generating activities in the community and as part of their community service, they decided to donate the most needed equipment to the community.

Everlyn Zolarade highlighted during the handover, that the women have a strong intention to give back to the community from the limited socio-economic activity they were engaged in over the past months.

The women and girls who are member of the savings club are so delighted to see their idea come into reality. 

Pastor Bukiri acknowledged the women for the generous donation.

This equipment will be used for a common purpose, providing entertainment for community events, church activities and providing light at the community centre.

Paebara appreciated the timely support, especially the 19 Biluah Hyme books, which will assist church services as there are currently only 1 or 2 hymn books in the community.

Sepele Chief Solomon Tovakera praised the women for showing good example of what it means to be good citizens of the community.

He said the women have taken a new direction that other groups in the community should look at as a model to follow.

He added that this is the pathway that can help our community to attain the basic developments we want to see in our society.

Keith Tovakera, President of the Poana Women’s Saving Club said the club has more plans for community development, and this is the beginning of what is yet to come.

Photos : Kevis Bukiri

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