Home Blog Page 646

Togamana: TB and leprosy data pending  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Minister for Health and Medical Services

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TUBERCULOSIS and Leprosy national data to show the trend of these diseases is yet to be finalised, says the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Minister for Health Dr Culwick Togamana says during the height of Covid-19 it was noted that provincial hospitals reported an increased number of tuberculosis cases.

“However, the final report on tuberculosis diseases is not yet made available to us so, we cannot tell whether cases are rising or managed. This is also the same for Leprosery,” he says.

Togamana adds, in terms of teenage pregnancy they only have data collected and published in 2017

“We did have 87 teenage pregnancies out of 1000. But we need to update these data so that we know whether the trend continue to increase or now it’s managed and if that is the case those responsible stakeholders take up appropriate measures to advice,” he said.

Togamana clarified that despite not having updated datas from his ministry, the health information system at the ministry’s headquarter is still functioning.

“All we need is to tap into this digital ICT in order to make this more available and accessible to the public,” he said.

Togamana echoed the above sentiment in Parliament.

MPs TO GET EXTRA $4.5M

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

Gov’t allocates additional funds for politicians’ health

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 50 members of Parliament are allocated an extra $4.5 million on top of the $3 million under National Parliament, to refer them for medical treatment abroad.

The $4.5 million is part of $6 million under the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the 2023 budget.

The other $1.5 million is for medical referral for constitutional post holders and permanent secretaries.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this when asked by Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale, during the Committee of Supply of the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022, in Parliament on December 12.

Sogavare said OPMC picks up on the allocation because the $3 million is for local assistance.

He said the Mustard Seed International Health Insurance does not pick up on pre-existence cases of MPs.

Mustard Seed has signed a five-year agreement with the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission in 2021, to assist MPs to seek medical assistance with any medical practitioners and they can reimburse the costs.

However, Sogavare said Mustard Seed did not follow the original arrangement after it opened their own clinic, which caused revolt to MPs.

He said Mustard Seed follows the principles of insurance, although it is not an insurance company.

Island Sun understands there are only two licensed brokers under the Insurance Act (Cap.82) namely Pacific Insurance Brokers and United Risk Services Ltd.

Bred Bank Solomon is the only agent licensed under the Act.

Sogavare said hopefully in 2024, the Government will review the arrangement and PEC to lead it to improve the scheme.

However, he said Mustard Seed has also made an arrangement with Saint Luke hospital in Philippines for referral of MPs.

He said a team will be sent to Philippine for firm up the arrangement to allow MPs to seek their medical referral there.

Opposition Leader Wale asked about the report commissioned by Minister of Finance, Harry Kuma for Controller of Insurance, Dr Luke Forau to look at the Mustard Seed scheme.

Kuma said he was aware of that Controller of Insurance seek authorization to do some kind of investigation and assessment as to whether that service insurance scheme in nature or just another health care scheme.

He said that was still early this year, but no findings or report given to him by the Controller of Insurance.

Health minister blames drug shortage to delay in Ports clearance of MHMS containers

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana has blamed the shortage of medical drugs on the slow process of clearing containers at the Solomon Ports.

Togamana said container loads of consumables coming in at the Ports wharf needs the Ministry to pay for the clearance and that is one of the challenges his ministry is facing.

“We used to have imprest for our container and is about 45 thousand and we normally run short on that for container clearance.

“So we have negotiated with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and they kindly increased that by 20 thousand so that we (MHMS) can deal with customs clearance quickly and get those drugs to medical store for their eventually distribution to our health facilities not only here in Honiara but health facilities at rural areas as well,” he said.

Togamana explained that getting the drugs to provinces is also another challenge for them.

He said the islands are geographically scattered and so medicines need vessels to ship to provinces.

“And, so there are no government vessels that can be used to transport drugs to provinces, this is because now as all vessels are privately owned and ship owners expected Ministry of Health to pay for freight.

“And for those ships that we have accumulated arrears they will refuse to carry medical drugs to provinces,” Togamana said

He adds in terms of the government procurement system everybody needs to understand that it takes a long period of time when it comes to that process.

“And so during those processes of waiting some of the drugs reached their expiry dates and so, we realised that,” Togamana said.

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale in response said this is crazy when it comes to drugs.

“Ticking the box at Treasury is more important!

“This is crazy when it comes to life saving medicines, ticking the box at Treasury is more important. We are in a situation that procurement process is not efficient and needs to be improved,” Wale said.

Minister for Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma adds that his ministry is aware of a number of presentation provided to them by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“I really believe that management at Treasury are fully aware that medical service is one of the very core businesses of government’s services delivery and I don’t think they will hold up essential payments like this and it is essential services that are very important 

“I am 100 percent sure that they are aware of the importance of medicines and the importance of getting it quickly.

“I suggest that it needs communication improvement on top level and also directly to senior management of Treasury and of Finance,” Kuma said.

The above sentiments were echoed in Parliament.

‘Election date unchanged, go to your polling stations’

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Election

BY BEN BILUA

THE Deputy Provincial Secretary of Western Province has called on eligible voters to go and cast their votes on December 14, Wednesday this week.

In an interview with Island Sun, Patrick Toiraena said the election date remain unchanged following the revised gazette order made by the Ministry of Provincial Government last week.

He said the revised gazette order has nothing to do with the election.

“I want to clarify that the revised gazette order has no effect on the election date. So my call is for eligible voters to go to their polling station and cast their votes to elect new leaders.

“I came to the media to clarify some questions going around asking whether the revised gazette order has some effect on the election. The answer is ‘not’,” Toiraena said.

He said the electoral office along with personals on the ground have mobilised and will be deployed to polling stations to monitor the polling day.

Toiraena said officials will be stationed in Shortland Islands in the far west to Marovo in far east to make sure the election is running smoothly.

He adds that the Royal Solomon Islands Police officers will also accompany electoral officials to provide security and to make sure everyone enjoy their democratic rights to cast their votes in peace.

Last week, the Ministry of Provincial Government took a direct bummer when they realized the decision they made on June 13th this year was null and voided.

The decision was for the dissolution of Western Provincial Assembly which result in Western Province having no leadership for the past six months.

Just last week, a revised gazette order was made to allow the Premier of Western Province a caretaker role until a new government is formed.

The decision has sparked outcry in Western Province labelling the revised gazette as a mockery to the Ministry of Provincial Government as people have suffered from the ill decision for more than six months.

Togamana: children immunisation in Solomon Islands is increasing

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Minister for Health and Medical Services-Dr Culwick

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

IMMUNISATION rate for children is now increasing again to an acceptable rate.

This is according to the Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana.

Mr Togamana said the vaccination rate for children declined or dropped in the country during the height of covid-19 outbreak in Solomon Islands

He said this happened because the impact of the covid-19 pandemic made the health ministry’s response effort to covid-19 sacrifice the country’s immunisations programmes especially for measles.

“That said, the ministry has step up that program now and now the immunisation rate of children starting to increase to a percentage level that is acceptable which is about more than 80 or so percent,” Togamana said.

He adds “for now his medical staffs are embarking again on this programme of immunisation on children and so, vaccination for children is now gone up again”.

Togamana echoed the above sentiment in parliament.

Ramofafia highlights small scale rural productivity

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia delivers his speech at the launching of EU projects in Honiara yesterday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands needs to continue to strive to increase small scale rural productivity as part of our ‘transformative’ agenda.

Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia stressed this during his debate on the $4.6 billion budget in Parliament.

“Our country’s mostly rural population is still largely predominantly subsistent and engaged only in small holder farming, which is less efficient and the least prospective productive sector.

“We need to continue to strive to increase small scale rural productivity as part of our ‘transformative’ agenda,” he said.

Ramofafia said improving connectivity is therefore vital for inclusive income growth and prosperity.

“Easier, cheaper and more efficient movement of people, goods, services and information so that our dispersed population can share in the benefits of concentrated growth.

“Improving connectivity will also support small scale agricultural efficiencies,” he said.

Ramofafia said agriculture, fisheries, tourism, mining, forestry hold a lot of potential.

“But we also need to create the enabling environment for these sectors to thrive and to contribute at scale.

“Solomon Islands’ economic drivers will continue to concentrate activity, employment and income in high growth centres or nodes,” he said.

Ramofafia said these nodes currently are around major towns and centres, where services are concentrated.

“Other nodes with potential to expand exist around largescale processing and industrial centres, such as around mining, onshore fish processing plants and agro industry operations such as the palm oil productions and as well as around forestry and logging.

“The tourism sector also holds great potential although relatively it currently contributes minimally to GDP,” he said.

Further to that, Ramofafia said our country’s mostly rural population is still largely predominantly subsistent and engaged only in small holder farming, which is less efficient and the least prospective productive sector.

In addition, Ramofafia said energy remains critical to transformation and to empowering our people.

He said investments in renewable energy can help to lower the cost of electricity and drive economic productivity as well as contribute to general improvements in people’s wellbeing and livelihoods.

“It also supports the ability to provide and to access social services,” he added.

Moreover, Ramofafia said urbanisation is a growing issue that could also trigger other negative social impacts.

He said it is also an issue that will create additional pressures on urban services and one that we need to seriously address in order to avoid our cities and towns becoming unhealthy, inefficient and unpleasant places to live and do business in.

“Increasing climate and natural disasters will worsen the health, sanitary and safety conditions of our towns and cities and especially those of informal settlements in the peri urban areas,” he added.

‘USE BED NETS’

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

Ministry of Health’s answer as more Malaria vaccines are available globally

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

BED nets is the ministry of health’s (MHMS) answer to Malaria, even though vaccines are now available globally.

Malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) was declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in October 2021; and the latest – R21 – was announced by the University of Oxford earlier this year at 80 percent effective in preventing the disease in children.

Sadly, Solomon Islands cannot access these vaccines, Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana told parliament last week.

Malaria remains to be one of Solomon Islands’ most common diseases.

Togamana also told parliament one of the vaccines was created based on the work of a Solomon Islander – malaria specialist Dr Nathan Kere.

Togamana does not explain why the vaccines are not available for Solomon Islanders. Neither does he offer any hope – whether his ministry has any plan to bring in the vaccines and make them available to Solomon Islanders.

Instead, he gave a crash course to the Speaker, members of parliament and the country on the ozone layer and how to use bed nets, treat bed nets and take care of bed nets.

“We would like to enforce the use of bed net and so the Ministry is continuing to distribute bed nets to our people in the rural areas and even up to now. But the choice of using that bed bet comes back to individuals.

“But from the Ministry’s view we are pleading with the public to ensure they use the bed net and after sometimes the effectiveness will decline and they need to get a replacement.

“The spray was used way back before, but it was no longer practised now days because they found out that the DDT use to spray the houses can remain for a very long time in an environment, it is a chlorinated carbon as well.

“Therefore once chlorine is disintegrated and evaporates into the atmosphere it can also have impact on the greenhouse effect (the trapping of the sun’s warmth in a planets lower atmosphere) or depletion of ozone layers,” Togamana explained.

The RTS,S malaria vaccine was announced by WHO on October 6, 2021.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in announcement of the vaccine said: “This is a historic moment. The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.

“Using this vaccine on top of existing tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.”

The R21 is said to be an improved version of the RTS,S and with a more successful trial rate. However, Harvard scientists choose to wait and see as the R21 is being administered world-wide for “clearer” results.

Meanwhile, a scientific study published in June 2021 in the Malaria Journal says Solomon Islands is having some success in its campaign against the disease. The study covered 19 villages across four provinces in the country.

 

HHS looks at expanding into design, food technology and computer science

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
Honiara High School Deputy Principal Academic Neyleen Maeohu.

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara Senior High School says they will expand their enrolment in terms of including design technology, food technology and computer science for forms six and seven students in the coming years.

This is according to the school’s Deputy Principal Academic Mrs Neyleen Lae Maeohu at Thursday’s annual graduation and prize giving ceremony.

Maeohu said the school has achieved some positive changes this year 2022, in terms of building positive working relationship amongst the staff members.

She said the school has taken another step in its physical development in terms of infrastructure.

“This building project is part of the school recovery process and is seen as a milestone achievement in which we are hoping will cater for the future endeavors of our school.

“I, on behalf of the school principal is proud to say that there is always collaboration among the teaching and supporting staff.

“Our guest of honour, Honorable Minister of Education, our Teaching Service Director, AusAID and New Zealand High Commission representatives, our aid donors, supporters, upon the completion of these buildings, the school will expand its enrolment in terms of including design technology, food technology, and computer science for our forms 6 and form 7 students.

“It is our aim to provide quality education and to produce quality students. Honiara Senior High School as you witness today has the highest enrolment of students. We believe in giving our students a second chance to education. Not every student is expected to excel academically, thus we provide a venue for them to identify their potentials and be able to look after themselves after leaving school.

“Again, all these will not be possible and the school will not be able to achieve these dreams without your support. For this, I on behalf of the school Principal would like to acknowledge our aid donors, supporters for your undying support.” Maeohu said.

Tanangada: half of SIG 2023 scholarship on TVET

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
Minister of Education and Human Resources Development

BY NED GAGAHE

Almost half of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) scholarships for 2023 will be offered on skills training in the Technical Vocational Training (TVET) sector.

This was highlighted by Education minister Lanelle Tanangada during the Honiara High School graduation and prize giving ceremony on Thursday December 8.

Tanangada said our country’s future depends on hands-on engineers and technologists, manufacturers, health workers and educators hence, we need to do more to encourage students in these fields.

“That is why our scholarships are focused more on skills training in the Technical Training Vocational Training (TVET) sector, where next year almost half of the scholarships are offered for skills training, which is a fulfillment of the government’s redirection policy of investing towards the productive sector and resource sectors.

“The country already has so many lawyers, pilots, engineers but job opportunities are less.

“I had the privilege of attending SINU graduation and it is evident that we have less numbers in the faculty of science and technology and faculty of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

“We need human resources in the productive resource sectors of the government. Moreover, our country’s future depends on citizens who are literate, can numerate and use information to their benefits.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my perspective that if we crave to build a more hopeful Solomon Islands, then we must help to teach our students effectively, in order for them to gain the skills and competencies and to teach as far as their vision and character can take them (quotation from Mrs. Laura W. Bush).

“Education is one of the most important investments a country can make for future of its citizens, and is a powerful agent of change.

“Not only is education described as a driver of personal, national and global development, but those that are educated sufficiently do develop the right skills – as a result of their learning experiences can and will improve their health and livelihoods, contribute to social stability and drive long-term economic growth and benefit.” Tanangada said.

Honiara High School lauds teachers and stakeholders

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
Honiara High School Deputy Principal Academic Neyleen Maeohu.

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara Senior High School has thanked teachers and stakeholders for standing with the school during recent trying times.

Deputy Principal Academic Neyleen Lae Maeohu made the acknowledgements at the school’s graduation and prize giving ceremony which also marked the closing of the school’s 2022 academic year.

“Lastly but not the least, may I register my sincere thanks to our good parents, guardians and supporters who have rendered and supported the school in paying up their children’s school fees and for giving us helpful advices and standing with the school in terms of finance. Your oceans of contributions this year have impacted our school programmes to some level of achievements.

“Today, our school Principal is proud of you all, you are our heroes in the battle of providing a sustainable and quality learning for our children. Remember that our children’s education is supposed to be a shared responsibility. ‘Education hem sam ting umi evri wan waka fo hem’.

“Let me take this time to acknowledge the government of Solomon Islands – through MEHRD for the continues support in one way or the other towards the teachers, school in terms of grants and financing the school with its projects.

“Also, to the Australia and New Zealand Governments, please convey our heartfelt gratitude to your office.

“To other private companies, the Tropical Glass Builders, sister schools, Solomon Islands National University, University of the South Pacific and other stakeholders, we salute you for standing with our school during these trying times. Please refer to the back of our program booklet for acknowledgement.” Maeohu said.

1...645646647...1,665Page 646 of 1,665