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Women encouraged to check for breast and cervical cancer

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi. Photo by GCU

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ALL women are encouraged to do health check-ups for breast and cervical cancer at the clinics and hospitals.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Referral Hospital Dr George Malefoasi voiced this at a recent press conference. 

Malefoasi said all cancer screening is ongoing as part of health programmes in the clinics and hospitals.

“Clinicians, doctors and nurses have been trained to carry out cancer screening. 

“Cancer screening is done by basic physical examinations and aided by diagnostic tests which are medical imaging (ultrasound/ mammogram), pathology testings (histology), which helps in confirmation,” he said.

Malefoasi said cancer screening should be available in the clinics where there is a doctor and a trained midwife or a nurse.

“With breast and Cervical Cancer, all women are encouraged to seek advice at the clinic (nurse) and doctor (Government & Private practitioners). Cancer screening is already happening,” he said.

Malefoasi said cancer treatments available are surgical and chemotherapy.

Hormonal and radiotherapy is also one but currently not available in the country, he adds.

“Earlier we diagnose and intervene, the better the outcome,” he said.

Malefoasi said breast and cervical cancer screening are part of reproductive health services at the clinics including youth centres (SIPPA and all public and private clinics).

He said at the national referral hospital breast and prostate cancer screening, treatment and management of care are dealt with by the hospital surgical and medical oncology (cancer) teams.

This is the same for cervical cancer screening and treatment is dealt by Gynaecology and oncology teams at the hospital.

Malefoasi adds that in terms breast cancer pre-warning signs include – lump (pain).

“Most times its painless lump. How it is confirmed – Women will suspect breast lumps (from above clinics) are referred to the NRH for further assessments. The assessments include the following; Physical examination by the doctor followed by ultrasound (of the breast) (confirmation, size and shape) Mammogram when it is available

“I understand this is being procured by donors – FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) is done, result by pathologist available in a week. (Histology- confirmation test (duration- 1 to 2 months) Specimens come back early now because results come electronically so takes about 3 weeks on average from time of sent. Longer from provinces,” he said.

“What we do mainly is opportunistic screening that is people who present to us. Not mass public screening which we do not have the capacity to do at the moment. For breast cancer we have been giving talks to encourage Breast Self-Examination (BSE) to feel abnormal lumps. And come forward if there is an abnormal lump.

“Women above 40 years old, and those who have family history of breast cancer be extra cautious/vigilant. If you can emphasise that the early the women presents the better the prognosis. They should not delay but come early for any lump or even a concern,” he said.

Malefoasi further adds by explaining the pre-warning signs of cervical cancers. One of key signs is abnormal bleeding. 

He stressed this can be confirmed when a woman with abnormal visual inspections of the cervix undergo pap smear. Pap smear is stained and visualised for abnormal cells- carcinogenic (histology confirmation).

Malefoasi said regarding the treatment for cervical cancer it can be through surgical, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Long queue disturbs issuing of passport books

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Long queues and overcrowding in front of the Immigration office has hindered issuing new passports.

This has led to many new passport books remaining uncollected at the Immigration office.

Immigrations is calling on public to cooperate and not to over-crowd the office entrance.

A notice from Immigration said they have around 500 to 700 uncollected passports in their office, however over-crowding and long queues disturbs them from issuing the passports to the owners.

Immigration office said once the door entrance is clear it will be helpful to the officers to deal with the issue.  

The notice says that seasonal applicants disrupted normal office services and becoming a concern for visas and other Immigration services.

Therefore, the Immigration are urging the public concerned especially those seasonal workers to cooperate with them so that they can fairly serve everybody who wanted their service.

Meanwhile one of the passport applicants said the long queues and over-crowding outside the Immigration started way back last year.

The applicant said that some of them already put their application forms last year and yet to collect their passports.

“If only the Government decentralize the Immigration office to other locations it will be helpful, because our population increases and its time the government think of other location to avoid such over-crowding,” the applicant said.

Gov’t appeals to private sector to join Safe and Green campaign

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chair of the Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) overseeing Government Preparations for the Pacific Games, in the office of the Prime Minister and cabinet, Bernard Bata’anisia. Photo supplied.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

Government has appealed to private sectors and all stakeholders to join the Safe and Green clean-up campaign scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, 2023.

This call was made by the Chair of the Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) overseeing Government Preparations for the Pacific Games, in the office of the Prime Minister and cabinet, Bernard Bata’anisia on behalf of the government.

“The government is seeking the assistance of the Private Sector and all the other stakeholders to clean-up this weekend to compliment government ministries and agencies, which are doing cleaning up on Friday afternoons,” Bata’anisia said.

He also appeals to the public and residential homes to join up in the clean up.

“The cabinet has approved Ministries doing weekly Friday afternoon clean ups from March 10 to December 15 2023, in preparation for the games,” Bata’anisia said.

He said GSIC recently held a meeting with private sector group and briefed stakeholders on how better they can plan and improve the “keep Honiara clean” campaign.

Bata’anisia said stakeholders were also briefed on the Honiara City Council by-laws and on the spot-fines which the cabinet approved on March 9, 2023, as a means of preparing Honiara city clean and ready for the November games.

Present in the meeting were representatives from the Our Telekom, CEMA, Solomon Islands National University, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, National Provident Fund, Solomon Water, Solomon Power, HCC, Solomon Airlines, Forum Fisheries Agencies, Bank of BSP, DBSI, Solomon Ports Authority.

Mental health acute award to be built before PG23: Dr Malefoasi

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi. Photo by GCU

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PLANS to construct a new mental health acute ward to accommodate individuals who are suffering from neurotic and psychotic mental disorders prior and during the upcoming Pacific Games 2023 in November is progressing now.

This was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Referral Hospital Dr George Malefoasi.

“Plan is in place for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and NRH to build the proposed new Mental Health Acute ward well before the Games in November. This project has been approved since 2021 but couldn’t start due to Covid 19 and due to payment process delays.

“The new mental health acute ward will make available 5 beds for acute patients, and 1 for very critical patients needing isolation and management. So we are working on this now,” Malefoasi said.

He confirmed that the ward will be built next to the current day clinic and NRH psychiatric unit next to the old morgue site.

“Some Relatives have shown willingness to support the psychiatric department in contributing to the welfare of the psychiatric patients of theirs,” Malefoasi said.

He said the revised mental health policy which is due for cabinet consideration calls for multisectoral approach in caring, promoting and protection of mentally illness in the country.

“This is due to increasing youth men and women suffering from neurotic and psychotic mental disorders. Especially depression among youths,” Malefoasi said.

AUKUS has nothing to do with us: MFAET

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MFAET permanent secretary Collin Beck.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE signing of the trilateral security pact between Australia, United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) in September 2021 has nothing to do with Solomon Islands.

This is according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAET).

Under the AUKUS pact, among other things, US and UK will assist Australia in acquiring nuclear powered submarines.

AUKUS was established after Solomon Islands’ diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China in 2019.

MFAET permanent secretary Collin Beck told media last week that “this particular matter has nothing to do with Solomon Islands, more to do with interests of AUKUS members”.

“If we look at Indo Pacific strategy, targeting one particular country.

“This is before we established relationship with China,” he said.

“So it is nothing to do with Solomon Islands, but more to do with their policy and direction to contain China.

“That is a geo political issue,” he said.

Beck said Solomon Islands views the region and world as inter-connected and linked.

“But with current conflict, especially with Ukraine, we go back to cold war situation, a divided world.

“How do we see development issue? We see as middle ground, not take side with any side,” he added.

Beck said if anything goes bad, no one is the winner.

“Everyone will lose. Those losers will be the front line of climate change.

“Geo political agenda took us from our developmental agenda,” he said.

Apart from that, Beck said the signing of the security agreement with China last year is basically for the country’s domestic interest and not external.

He said Solomon Islands needs security relating to water security, food security, climate change and relocation.

Beck said relocation can also lead to domestic war between people who relocate to someone’s land if they start encroaching into another tribal land.

As such, he said the real threat is domestically and not externally.

DRUG SHORTAGE IN MALAITA

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita province is facing a shortage of medicine, a problem which has been ongoing for nearly a month.

Malaria cases are also reportedly increasing in Auki and surrounding communities.

Patients to clinics are being sent home with only paracetamol. Few clinics are down to their last supplies with children’s Coartem tablets (anti-malarial drug) which is being given to adults.

The province’s health authority has confirmed this drug shortage to Island Sun.

Supervising Director Dr David Danitofea admitted to the paper yesterday that the province is indeed facing drug shortage.

He however explains that it is cyclical – there will be a period of drug shortage before their stocks are replenished from Honiara.

Danitofea says there has never been a time where drugs were in full supply when new stocks arrived.

“This is a normal issue as supplies are coming, distributed, run-out and supply continues to come.

“Recently, I was submitted with a list of drugs that the province is without and my office is working on to get supply soon,” he said.

Danitofea adds that this same problem is faced by other provinces as well.

He concurs that ideally health authorities should ensure that there is no period of drug shortage before replenishment of stock.

“Sadly, that is not the reality,” he said.

Danitofea said this is one of the challenges his office is facing especially on how to maintain drug supply, given the delay of supply from Honiara has become the new normal.

“This is an area my office will try to strengthen making sure supplies are maintained until we receive new supplies, though it will be challenging,” he said.

Island Sun Auki has received reports that for nearly a month sick patients especially those diagnosed with malaria were advised to receive home-care or referred either to Kilu’ufi hospital or other clinics with prescriptions.

Malaria and dengue cases increasing  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi. Photo by GCU

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The national figures of Malaria and Dengue cases are increasing, it is reported.

Chief Executive Officer for National Referral Hospital Dr George Malefoasi said, “I can confirm to you that is Malaria case increasing in Honiara and some part of the country.

“According to the National figure Malaria and dengue fever is at the hospital National Referral Hospital. 

“For now, we still have a lot of severe Malaria cases coming.

“A lot severe cases of Malaria are presenting at the National Referral Hospital at the moment.”

He said the sad thing is that the PF (Plasmodium falciparum – a unicellular protozoan parasite of humans, and the deadliest species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans) is increasing and is one challenge the Ministry is facing.

Malefoasi said Malaria is seen increasing in Honiara, Guadalcanal and Malaita.

“These areas are identified as high-risk spots.”

He said there are multifactorial answers to this increase, some of these factors are environment, the primary health care setting and as well as funding getting, people over spraying and not forgetting people’s attitude so relaxing and bed nets are not used wisely.

Malefoasi on the same note reminded people on some common public health measures.

“I hereby reminding the general public to sleep under bed nets, get your house sprayed, get your medication if presenting with malaria and dengue,” he said.

Bus operators called on to stop illegal short route or face licence cancellation

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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City Clerk Justus Denni

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara City Clerk Justus Deni has called bus operators to stop illegal short routes in the city or face prosecution and cancellation of business licence.

In a statement, Deni said failure to comply will result in the following actions.

Deni explained that when a person pays a business licence to run a public bus service from Honiara City Council (HCC) there are conditions attached to it.

“HCC Business Licence conditions pursuant to section 4 (1) (a) (i) of HCC’s regulation of business licenses bill 2011, are as follows;

“Firstly, a bus service must display a destination sign at the front of your bus service during all service hours; and

“Secondly, a bus service must completely serve the displayed destinations during all service hours.

“Furthermore, it states that if a breach of these conditions you are liable for a penalty or revocation of your valid business licence,” Deni said

Deni said providing a reliable, safe and affordable bus service in the city should be at the convenience of all Honiara residents and the visitors, he therefore, appealed to the bus operators to adhere to HCC business licence conditions.

Western province leaders cry foul over national govt’s refusal to foot $500k lobbying bill

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Billy Veo

BY BEN BILUA

The newly elected Assembly of Western Province is facing another challenge as the national government has refused to meet the cost of accommodation which was incubated during the process to form the executive.

Premier Billy Veo said his executive has been informed that the government will not meet their accommodation costs.

He said the issue has put more pressure and burden on the Western Provincial government to source internal funds to meet the costs.

Breaking down the costs, Rence Sore said the total expenses for both camps incubated during the executive formulation are estimated to be around $500,000.

He said the Ministry of Provincial Government should be the one paying the cost as the elected leaders were emphasising their legal mandate to form an executive or government.

“According to the law, Provincial Assembly members are legally binding to their role as leaders as soon as they were declared winners during counting, unlike members of parliament, the counting of their official performance begins after the parliament’s first sitting after the election.

“Looking at this legislation, I’m sure the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is responsible to meet the cost,” Sore said.

Jeffrey Wickham said the government’s action is questioning as that the government broke its own laws – the very law that they want to promote.

“This is a clear indication of the government’s incompetence and lack of sympathy towards the people of Western Province.

“Western Province contributes a lot to the economic development of this country with the highest contributor to the economy. This is how the government acknowledges our people and resources. Pathetic,” he said.

Wickham said it is high time for the government to speed up the amendment of the Provincial Government Act as well as the statehood.

He said he is sick and tired of the weaknesses and incompetent leadership is shown by the national government through its ministries.

Island Sun understands that this is yet another headache that the government through the Ministry of Provincial Government has placed upon leaders of Western Province.

Last week this paper, published an article that states that Western Province has been missing out on PCDF allocation worth 1.4 million dollars for the last quarter of last year.

SI yet to make stand on Japan’s plan to dump nuclear treated water into Pacific

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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MFAET Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck

BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands is still to make an official stand on Japan’s decision to dump more than a million tonnes of nuclear treated water into the Pacific Ocean starting this year.

Government will rather wait for scientific evidence first.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Mr Collin Beck says Solomon Islands’ position on Japan’s plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean will have to be based on scientific findings and proof that it is safe for Japan to do so.

Mr Beck uttered this statement during the MFAET media conference last Wednesday.

Japan is proposing to commence dumping the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS)-treated water this year; however, the Pacific Islands Forum countries have asked Japan to defer its plans awaiting an independent panel of scientists.

Speaking during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) weekly media conference on Friday Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed that during the recent visit by the Japan Foreign Ministers Yoshimasa Hayashi this matter was also discussed.

“The short answer is yes, that was part of the discussion. I was with the Prime Minister’s meeting, and basically the message here was Japan is still looking to try and inform the Pacific Island countries on two main things one is that, they are awaiting the final report from the International Agency (IEEA) they are waiting for the report there.

“And of course, there is an independent scientific group that was appointed by the PIF that has gone to Fukushima to conduct their assessment and is led by the Prime Minister for Cook Islands.

“So, on those two the assurance from Japan was that, if the reports show that anything inside the water is going to be detrimental or harmful Japan will not be going to release the water into the ocean.

“And then on our side there was a concern by the PIF scientists that they were not being given some documents that they needed for their assessments because the report is only as good as the information they get.

“So, on our side we have requested the Foreign Minister to provide to our scientific group through the PIF the information they request.

“So, the government requests Japan to provide whatever information our scientific team needs so that they can also come up with their deliberation.

“Our position in this, is that we will be guided by the scientific assessment, so whatever scientific assessment says about some reasons to worry about the risk despite how small that would be our position.

“And the commitment by the Japanese’s government is that, if there is any risk they will not discharge.” Rodgers said.

On April 13, 2021, Japan’s government unanimously approved that TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) dump the stored water to the Pacific Ocean over a course of 30 years.

Japan’s government said the dumped water will be treated and diluted to drinkable standard.

“Nearly 12 years ago, a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear catastrophe at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant,” Euro News Green reported last month.

“The nuclear reactors have been decommissioned – a process which will take 40 years to complete.

“But the shutdown has stalled over the build-up of vast quantities of water used to keep the damaged reactors cool.

“To free up space, operator TEPCO want to release 1.3 million tonnes of the wastewater into the sea. They claim that the water is filtered to remove most radionuclides, making the release safe.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the proposal is safe, but neighbouring countries have voiced concern, BBC reported in January this year.

The water is filtered for most radioactive isotopes, but the level of tritium is above the national standard, operator Tepco said. Experts say tritium is very difficult to remove from water and is only harmful to humans in large doses.

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