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Specialist paediatric surgical visit set for May

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A specialist paediatric surgical visit to see children with abnormalities at the national referral hospital (NRH) is scheduled for May 8-17.

This is according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Service.

“There will be a specialist Pedantic surgical visit from 8th to the 17th of May 2023 to see children with abnormalities relating to passing urine, passing stool and kidney problem,” the Health Ministry said.

Ministry of health said new cases should see a health worker to refer them to the NRH specialist consultation clinic.

“Those who have had previous surgery may make direct appointment to Dr Rooney Jagilly’s surgical outpatient clinic at the National Referral Hospital before the team arrives.

“For enquiries please call the on 44077 or see sister Merelyn at surgical outpatient clinic,” MHMS statement said.

Reforestation is high in Malaita, authorities want this to continue

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Reforestation is on a high in Malaita province, and the provincial forestry office wants this to continue.

Malaita’s reforestation office says it will soon begin awareness programmes for farmers who want to carry out reforestation on their land.

Reforestation officer, Mr Ronnie Aiwewe told SunAuki yesterday they plan to visit farmers in the northern region soon.

He said the increase of reforestation in the province is due to the right information disseminated to farmers.

Aiwewe said there are trainings to assist farmers on reforestation, which are organised through community workshops, or one-on-one talks.

He said this has been done in partnership with other project programmes where they work together to conduct the trainings.

Aiwewe said for interested farmers who are yet to venture into the programme, the office can be notified and arrangements can be made to provide the awareness.

He said for their satellite farmers, there are also trainings.

Aiwewe said in 2022, a total of 23 training activities were conducted for farmers, including training engagements with other stakeholders in the province.

“The need to reforest is not tomorrow’s but now, and through the awareness programme people would learn on the importance of reforestation.

“Reforestation is not merely about money, but to save by reclothing the natural habitat destroyed by destructive activities and a preparation for your future.”

MHMS continues to support malaria prevention

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Deputy Secretary Health Improvement, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) continues to support malaria prevention programmes across the country by ensuring adequate supplies are available.

This was confirmed by Deputy Secretary Health Improvement, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu on behalf of the health ministry in a recent media conference.

Bainivalu said the effort made by the Ministry is to ensure adequate supplies of drugs and other medical equipment, such a rapid test kits, are available to treat patients diagnosed with malaria.

He adds, despite the Ministry’s ongoing initiatives on malaria prevention programme the general public are urged to help reduce the number of cases through, cleaning of surrounding to avoid mosquitoes breed in empty tins, plastics and drums lying around homes, to sleep under bed nets, ensure to complete malaria doses, present to health facilities to get early test and detection for malaria.

Bainivalu said the MHMS is also trying their very best at every opportunity during clinical care educate the public on risk factors and symptoms of malaria and also advised them on ways to prevent their transmission

Former ADF personnel jailed

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A former Australian Defence Force personnel has been jailed for four months.

Everlyn Tina Dunton pleaded guilty to one count of Grievous Bodily Harm.

The incident took place at the Yacht Club on October 12, 2022.

Ms Dunton, 42, received four months after court suspended 18 months off the initial 22 months sentence.

She is originally a Solomon Islander but got married to an Australian and now holds an Australian passport.

The complainant is Dunton’s aunty, and prior to the offending Dunton was not happy with the complainant and her family.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison in his decision explained that according to the evidence the complainant sustained injuries to her face and head, and was admitted at the National Referral Hospital for around three weeks for observation and supportive care including physiotherapy.

Whilst at the National Referral Hospital, a medical examination was conducted, including CT scan which shows bleeding on the left side of her brain due to trauma to the head, which is life threatening.

“The complainant could have died from this incident,” Hollison said.

After assessing and balancing the core principles of sentencing such as punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation, Hollison sentenced the defendant to 22 months imprisonment for one count of grievous bodily harm contrary to section 226 of the Penal Code.

However, after considering the submissions and mitigation, he suspended 18 months of the total sentence (22 months’ imprisonment). This means Dunton must serve the balance of the total sentence which is four months.

“I refuse to suspend the entire sentence due to the severity of the offence and I am making sure she is incarcerated. Upon her release, the defendant is required to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next two years. If she commits any other offence in this jurisdiction within the next two years, she shall be required to serve the suspended portion of the sentence,” Hollison said.

The incident occurred on October 12, 2022; the complainant went to the Point Cruz Yacht Club in Honiara for the Wednesday Night Weekly draw.

At the Yacht Club, the complainant saw the defendant with another woman. The defendant bought beers and took them to the complainant at the table where she was sitting, later on, the defendant with another woman went for a dance. The complainant seeing the two dancing on the dance joined them for a dance.

It was at that time the incident took place.

The court said the defendant grabbed the complainant’s shirt and dragged her to the table next to where she and the other woman were sitting, and swung the complainant with force under the table to the cement floor.

The complainant’s head hit hard on the cement floor and she became unconscious.

China donates $70k for Lagoon Festival

Written by
Ben Bilua
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The respect China has for Solomon Islands’ culture and tradition is shown by the Chinese embassy’s gift of $70,000 to the upcoming Lagoon Festival of the Western province. (Pictured) China’s ambassador HE Li Ming (right) handing over the $70,000 donation to Western Province’s Minister of Tourism Ron Ghemu (centre) and Premier Billy Veo. See story on page 3. Photo credit - Ben Bilua.

BY BEN BILUA

THE People’s Republic of China (PRC) through its embassy in Honiara has supported the Lagoon Festival with SBD70,000.

Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Li Ming handed over the cheque to Western Province’s Minister of Tourism, Ron Ghemu in the presence of the Premier of Western Province and officials yesterday.

In his speech, Mr Li said China is honoured and privileged to support the unique culture and tradition of the Western Province.

He adds that China is very pleased to support the preservation and promotion of cultural practices not only in Western province but the whole of Solomon Islands.

Ming said China and the Solomon Islands have common values and respect when it comes to culture and tradition and the donation reflects China’s respect towards Solomon Islands’ culture and tradition.

He hopes the festival will help younger generations of Western Province to learn important knowledge passed down from generations

“This donation is not huge but it comes from our heart to support this important festival.

“Such festival is important as it provides an opportunity for younger generations to learn their culture and tradition.

“It is also a time for generations to connect and strengthen their ancestral heritages,” Ming said.

Ghemu acknowledged China for the huge support saying that the donation will surely support the organizing committee to prepare for the festival.

“China is a true friend which continues to touch the heart of people in Western Province.

“To see a bilateral partner stepping up and support this local event is a huge achievement on its own,” he said.

Ghemu said the donation comes at the right time as the organising committee is planning to host the event later this year.

He said Western Province, especially the tourism division is looking forward to working closely with PRC to promote tourism.

Ghemu assured Ambassador Li that his office will monitor the implementation of the funding.

Tuvaruhu resident calls for businesses to stop dumping rubbish there

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Bangladeshi yellow shirt with his worker dumping rubbish at Tuvaruhu riverside last Friday 14th April 2023. Photo credit- YTTF

BY NED GAGAHE

A Tuvaruhu resident has called on business houses to dispose of their rubbish at the right place.

The call was made in a statement via popular Facebook group Yumi TokTok Forum (YTTF) after he spotted a Bangladesh national and his workers dispose rubbish at a backway road in Tuvaruhu earlier this month.

A two-tonne pickup truck allegedly owned by the Bangladeshi man with his workers loaded with rubbish were seen dumping the load of rubbish near the Tuvaruhu river.

The concerned resident managed to capture pictures of the Bangladeshi and his men.

“Whilst they were dumping rubbish a boy shouted at them so they escaped,” the resident said.

The site was used as an illegal dumpsite many years back.

The Tuvaruhu community recently cleaned up the site and stopped its residents from dumping rubbish there.

“Nobody actually dumps rubbish here, so what happened has really angered us,” he added.

“The community really want to keep this place free from littering.”

He adds, every Saturday the community organises community clean-up programmes.

ILLEGAL LOGGING

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Harvesting and exporting of prohibited Vitex trees reported in West Are’are Lagoon

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Locals in the West Are’are lagoon have reported that a logging company is harvesting prohibited Vitex tree species and exporting them as round logs.

The Malaita provincial forestry office has condemned this alleged practice, supporting the call for the national ministry of Forest (MOFR) to make logging companies stop this illegal practice.

This issue was circulated on social media this week. A local took a photo of a barge allegedly loaded with round logs including the prohibited Vitex species.

The location of this loaded barge is believed to be at Wairokai.

Members of public believe that current laws and enforcement of forestry laws are weak.

The matter was brought to the provincial forestry office in Auki yesterday for clarification.

An officer explains that the country’s Forestry Act that regulates logging is very clear and loggers should not have excuses to involve in such illegal logging practices.

“These logging companies are operating in the country for decades and they’re well familiar with the act that regulates their business operation.

“That the vitex species and other local species like U’ula, Ngali tree, Tubi and others are prohibited for round log export.”

The provincial forestry office says it will send a team to the site this week to investigate the matter.

This is to see whether it is the intention of the company to export the vitex logs or assist landowners with the logs to Honiara for milling.

“And if it beyond what the team could do, only the commissioner and minister are in the position to direct orders when face with such situation,” the officer said.

MHMS call on parents and guardians to support cervical cancer prevention

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Deputy Secretary Health Improvement, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical Services is strongly calling on parents and guardians to support cervical cancer prevention by allowing girls age from nine – 14 years old to get the Human Papilloma Virus vaccines.

Deputy Secretary Health Improvement, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu made this call on behalf of the health ministry in a recent media conference.

“The health Ministry is calling and encouraging parents and guardians to support cervical cancer prevention by allowing girls age 9 – 14 years old to get the HPV vaccine,” Bainivalu said.

He said MHSM continues to roll out the HPV vaccines for girls at health centres. The vaccine roll out is also happening in most schools around the country.

Bainivalu said “all frills aged 9 to 14 years should receive the HPV vaccine as it protects girls and women from most cervical cancer.”

He said HPV is safe, effective and does not affect girl’s ablity to have children in the future.

“It is free and accessible at health centres by trained professionals (vaccinators) who are also trained to deliver it in schools,” Bainivalu said.

Trial on Nehemiah’s case to continue next month

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man faced with false pretence charges will continue trial next month on May 8.

This is for prosecution to cross-examine the defendant on the allegations against him.

Martin Pola Nehemiah was charged for three counts of false pretence in relation to the alleged incident that occurred on February 5, 2019.

The allegation said the accused met with the owner of the shop and introduce himself as the president of the Accelerate Christian Education Schools of Solomon Islands.

Upon their discussion the shop owner at Smart Technology convinced and agreed for the accused to collect the items discussed and will be re-paid when the school grants are ready.

Later on, February 28, 2019 around 10am the accused came and collected one mobile phone at a cost of $2, 250 as according to the agreement and walked out with a proforma invoice, again on March 15, 2019 he collected one notebook laptop14 inches and 1X 8c honour brand mobile, later on March 28 2019, he again went to the Smart technology shop and collected two Redmi mobile handsets.

The total cost of all items collected is $12, 150.00, couple of months later the shop owner made several attempts to call the accused to settle his credits but was unsuccessful.

The shop owner gave him enough time but till March 2021 the accused never turned up to settle his credits and the matter was reported to the police in which the accuse Nehemiah was arrested and charged.

John Palmer Teula of the Police Prosecution Department appeared for prosecution.

Green Party elects new office bearers

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Members of the Green Party Solomon Islands (GPSI).

BY NED GAGAHE

Green Party Solomon Islands (GPSI) has elected its new office bearers during a special general meeting on Saturday, April 22 in preparation for the National General Election in 2024.

The SGM was held at the Binaboli conference room in Honiara.

In a statement GPSI said the election was necessary to ensure GPSI has a fully functional Executive to lead and prepare the GPSI for the upcoming NGE 2024.

“GPSI is a political Party that promotes sustainable development based on the principles of ecological wisdom, social justice, participatory democracy, nonviolence, sustainability, and respect for diversity. GPSI strongly believes it has the right mix of policies for the sustainable economic development of the Solomon Islands.

“GPSI condemns the current unsustainable harvest of tuna stock by foreign fishing vessels in the Solomon Islands, and the logging and mining that returns very little to land owners, ruins the environment and causes severe negative social impacts.

“GPSI believes the Government of the day must take tough decisions to safeguard national resources in the interest of the Country. 

“GPSI believes there is a need for huge policy redirection together with resource reallocation based on ecological principles, to boost private sector growth, and a broader tax base, to achieve social justice and economic empowerment for all Solomon Islanders.

“The vacant positions, filled at the SGM were President Lawrence Makili, Treasurer Carl Mahehaita, Assistant Treasurer Pauline Ama.

“Existing officers holding their positions are Vice President Ruddy Oti, Secretary Judith MacLean, Assistant Secretary Redley Ausopa, Women’s Representative Surita Piva and Youth Representative Fay Bonuga.

“The Party plans on fielding candidates in the upcoming synchronised NGE 2024 for National Parliament, Honiara City Council and provincial governments.” GPSI said in a statement.

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