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Gizo, Noro & Munda lockdowns postponed

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo market

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Disaster Operation Committee has postponed the proposed lockdown for Gizo, Noro and Munda.

Chairperson of WPDOC, Jeffrey Wickham said the decision was based on two reasons; first, the outbreak in Shortland Islands and second – lack of manpower.

He said WPDOC’s focus at the moment is on Shortlands as the risk of further transmission is high, so as lack of proper health facilities to care for sick patients will be devastating for peoples.

“It is sad that we have very limited manpower. Our frontline workers have been stretched to their limits but we acknowledged their sacrifices.

“Now, I want to explain why we postpone lockdowns for Gizo, Noro and Munda. Ok, as we know we have very limited man power so we look for the most needed zone for the lockdown – at the moment two communities in Shortland is at high risk so we decided to enforce lockdown for these communities.

“This will enable our front line workers to carry out swabbing and contact tracing. The purpose of lockdown is for swabbing and contact tracing, so, there is no point of a lockdown on Gizo, Munda, Noro and Shortland because our very limited number of frontline workers.

“We will focus on one zone first before moving on to other zones. In doing so we provides our health teams with space and time to do their job,” Wickham explained.

He said new dates for Gizo, Noro and Munda lockdown will be made known any time next week.

Medical supplies to South Guadalcanal

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso with the consignment of medicine.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FIVE clinics on the remote South Guadalcanal have been boosted with basic medical supplies like panadol, amoxilin and others over the weekend.

They are locating on Mbiti, Koloula, Kuma, Madakatcho and Parinaho.

The donation comes after Madakatcho has recorded three positive cases of covid-19 following swapping carried out by a nurse there.

Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso travelled to his constituency on Sunday to deliver the consignment of medicine after reports that these clinics have run out of stocks and lack of manpower.

MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso drives the boat to his constituency on Sunday.

Seleso said his team had liaised with Guadalcanal Province Provincial Disaster Operation Centre (PDOC) and National Medical Store and the constituency supplemented the payment for the medicines.

He said two main clinics at Kuma and Madakatcha have received oxygen concentrator to deal with any severe cases of Covid-19.

In addition, Seleso used the trip to assess the situation on the ground by talking to the nurses and get their request to work on it.

Seleso said there is a plan in place to set up three teams namely the vaccination, swapping and awareness group.

“We realized many people have not get their vaccination.

Ward member for Diudi in South Guadalcanal with the consignment of medicine.

“However, the nurses have trained at Avuavu and Tangarare to do swapping,” he said.

Seleso said his team identified that the nurses also need PPEs following the three positive cases and ice boxes to preserve the medicines.

He said his constituency needs to be fully stock with medicines because of its remoteness and inconsistent shipping services.

With these basic medical suppliers, Seleso is confident his people can withstand the community outbreak of covid 19.

Prior to that, his people have relied on herbal medicines to heal them from the sickness.

Canadian firm donates masks to fight COVID

Written by
Press Release
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A Canadian Company is sending medical grade, Level 3, three-layer masks to Solomon Islands to assist the country with its fight against a COVID-19 outbreak. 

Solomon Islands had escaped Covid-19 through community transmission until recently which has spread widely across many parts of the island nation.

Local health authorities this week have said that lab testing of samples confirms that the Corona Virus in the country is that of the deadly Delta Variant.

Novoshield, a British Columbia, Canada based company has come to the rescue by donating to the Solomon Islands Consulate General in Canada, 25,200 Level 3 medical grade three layer masks, to be sent to Solomon Islands.

Additional 500 N-95 masks are specifically being made available to support officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force [ RSIPF].

A statement from the Solomon Islands Consulate General said these level 3, three-layer medical masks are all produced in Canada and carry a seal of approval from Canada’s Health Ministry, Health Canada. 

“These masks are tested for splash resistance, synthetic blood resistance and have a rating of over 98 percent,” the statement said. 

 In an effort to support the members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), 5,000  masks are specifically made available for the RSIPF at the request of the country’s envoy to Canada, Honorary Consul-General Ashwant Dwivedi.

In addition 500 N-95 masks are also being made available to RSIPF.

NovoShield President Jason Zanatta said that he is pleased to stand with the people of Solomon Islands in these challenging times.

 “I and my team here at Novoshield are pleased to extend these supplies of Level 3 medical three-layer masks to help support the people of Solomon Islands in their fight against COVID-19,” Zanatta said.

 “At the minimum we would like to commit to an immediate donation, and we look forward to being of assistance in the very near future,” he added.

Accepting the medical supplies, Consul General Dwivedi thanked Zanatta for responding to the call for urgent and immediate assistance.

 Speaking at the event at Novoshield’s operations office, Dwivedi said that Solomon Islands economy is devastated as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

 “Solomon Islands is at war – war with Covid-19 pandemic,” Dwivedi said.

“Its first casualty even before community transmission, was its tourism sector, which has had its doors shut since COVID-19 first made its first appearance in 2020,” he added.

A nation that was supported by the tourism sector, beaches that would have footprints left behind by tourists are today left unattended, untouched.

“We are badly impacted through loss of unfortunate lives and revenue due to COVID-19. 

 “We can always recover the loss in revenue in the near future.

“However, the loss of lives, loss of fathers, uncles, aunties, or someone dear in community or family is something we cannot replace.

“It is difficult times like this when friendship counts.

“And today’s support from Novoshield tells us that although we may be 9,000 miles apart in distance, we remain one family – one strong Commonwealth family.”

Dwivedi continued: 

“The young nation, we call the Pacific paradise which stood on guard in the Second World War to bring peace and prosperity to the international community, today needs all the help it can get from Canadians.

“We are one family. One strong family.

“Today’s assistance will go a long way. Thank you, Tumas Novoshield, Jason, and employees.

“We are together in this fight against COVID-19.

 “It’s citizens like Jason and companies like Novoshield who make Canadians proud.

“And I take the renewed opportunity to thank you on-behalf of the people of Solomon Islands for your kind donation.”

Dwivedi said that the level 3 medical three-layer masks are a seal of confidence which will assist the first responders and all others in need.

“These made in Canada masks will also provide added confidence to our police force and medical professionals in their fight against COVID-19.

“This is a timely response to my call for assistance and I thank NovoShield for the kind donation,” he said.

Based on Government of Canada information, the donated medical masks are similar to those widely used by Canadian and international medical professionals and carry the highest ratings as it has three-layer protection instead of one layer or two layers.

It has a viral efficiency rate of 99 percent, as certified by Canada’s Ministry of Health.

 The donated Level 3 mask is highest rated for medical and surgical face masks.

This mask features an adjustable metal nose piece and non-latex ear loops for easy wearing and added comfort.

The largest study of masks yet details their importance in fighting COVID-19 and emphasizes the value of choosing a surgical mask.

Judicial independence vital for future: Sir Albert

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

STRENGTHENING judicial independence is vital for the future of this nation and her people, says Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

He said it is well recognised that the economic prosperity of any developing country like depends, at least in part on the confidence of the international community to invest here.

Sir Albert said, wherever the justice system is not robustly and demonstrably independent, investors can have little confidence that any commercial dispute will be justly determined and their investment properly protected.

” Wherever the institutions of justice are unable to function to meet the legitimate needs of the communities they serve, there can be no real justice.

“Wherever the enforcement of the criminal law is at the whim of the few; and powerful individuals act with impunity outside the law, justice is neither done, nor seen to be done”, He said.

Sir Albert said it is for these reasons that the National Judiciary seeks the next step towards greater institutional independence and be prepared to assume the real burden of that greater independence.

“And it is for one clear reason that the people of Solomon Islands deserve a system of justice that is organised along modern principles of judicial independence: to assist each and every one of them in their journey towards a better life and greater opportunities for their children, Sir Albert said.

He also highlighted that the lockdown and community transmission that has recently impacted Honiara city last year has brought to the forefront the importance in having the Judiciary’s budget secured so that its activities can be delivered without delay and hampered by the unavailability of finances as has been the case.

 Court cases and circuits in the last year again have had to be scaled down, cancelled or deferred in some instances. 

“This is highly unsatisfactory and needs to be seriously addressed.  Every year we are faced with this same situation and it is high time this issue is looked into by the Government”, Sir Albert highlighted.

Malaita’s unvaccinated staff receive half pay

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

NON-vaccinated direct employees of Malaita received only half of their salaries yesterday as the province started to implement the “no jab no job” policy.

According to information received from the provincial government, up to quarter of the staff were affected because of their failure to comply with the policy.

The policy should have been imposed on the first payday of this month; however the province decided to move it to this payday to allow staff to get their vaccines.

The provincial government has long been lenient on its effort to safeguard its employees, but since the COVID outbreak in the province, it decided to get tough on those who refused to vaccinate.

Also part of the province’s efforts to stop the transmission, number of awareness program on the policy and the vaccine were provided to staff.

Last month, a circular was issued to the unvaccinated staff on the policy.

A spokesman said the province had done all it could do in as far as awareness is concerned so not it’s time to implement the no jab, no work policy.

According to information Island Sun has obtained, the province employs 188 staff – 144 of them have been vaccinated while 46 are yet to do so.

Of the unvaccinated 46, there are those who claimed they have underlying medical conditions, but they failed to provide medical reports to back their claim.

As such, the province decided to treat them as unvaccinated.

Muria: existence of SOPE important

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Attorney General John Muria Jnr

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

ATTORNEY General John Muria Jnr says the existence of a State of Public Emergency today is more important than it ever was.

He said the State of Public Emergency continues into its sixth declaration to protect our citizens; the Government continues to put in measures to ensure the population is protected, despite the ongoing community transmission.

He said the successfulness of our fight against COVID-19 is dependent on the cooperation of our people to the measures put in place by the Government.

Whilst the Constitution provides for imposition of these restrictions in an Emergency or public health emergency, it is also equally important that our Citizens continue to be protected by law.

This is where the role of the Courts is important.

He however said, the Courts must always balance the competing interests of all people.

“A person’s liberty must not be used to the detriment of fellow citizens. For example, A restriction on the movement of a person, is legislated to ensure that 600,000 others are protected,” Muria stressed.

“It is very disheartening to see that fellow Solomon Islanders intentionally disregarding these measures. Amongst them are our well-educated Solomon Islanders.

“I would like to convey my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones during these times. The State of Public Emergency Regulations contains a number of restrictions on the liberties of our people”, Muria said.

He also said the Courts will need to brace themselves for the emerging areas of law that may arise from issues relating to COVID-19.

Western waits for lockdown approval

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province says his executive has endorsed the proposed lockdown but is yet to receive latest information on the progress of the plan.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, Christian Burley Mesepitu said Gizo needs to be locked down as positive cases keep climbing.

He said the process has been slow and that helps the virus to spread.

“I remember my executive have endorsed a lockdown and curfew document last week. I’m still waiting for WPDOC to inform my office of the outcome,” Mesepitu said.

“I don’t where the applications at this stage but I hope submission has been done. I believe WPDOC has submitted the applications to National Disaster Committee and the Oversight Committee,” he added.

He stress that there will be a full lock down when the application for lockdown is approved.

Mesepitu also said that curfew will be enforced following the lock down.

“I want to explain that ‘full lock down’ refer to longer period of lockdown. Lockdown will be enforced for up to five or even days.

“Curfews will also be put in place as follow up measures to minimise the spread of virus,” he said.

Mesepitu said longer lockdown period will enable health officials to carry out contact tracing and swabbing.

He adds that longer lockdown will stop unnecessary movement of people within Gizo as well as from nearby Islands to Gizo.

“We have to do this in order to minimise the spread of this virus. I understand that such long lockdown will have an impact to some people but for the good our people and ourselves, we must sacrifice this measures,” Mesepitu said.

COVID cases rise above 5,000 mark

Written by
Press Release
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A total of 5043 covid cases have been reported as of Wednesday 16 February in the country since community transmission began in January.

But health authorities believe the figure is under reported due to the limited testing capacity of health authorities nation-wide.

Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Culwick Togamana said an additional 131 COVID-19 positive cases were diagnosed as of Wednesday 16 February of which 61 are in Honiara and 72 from the provinces.

From the 5043 total, 3,909 of these cases were diagnosed in Honiara, which accounts for 77.5 percent of total cases followed by Malaita, at 11.4 percent.

In Malaita Province, an additional 52 cases were detected, 26 of these cases were detected at Atoifi hospital from 7 to 15 February period, including earlier cases which have been submitted and now registered.

This brings the total case count for Malaita to 575 with 23 additional recoveries bringing the cumulative total of recoveries to 106.

In Guadalcanal Province, no new cases have been reported as of Wednesday with the total remaining at 145 cases with no reported deaths lately with a 55 cumulative recoveries.

For Western Province, an additional 20 new cases were detected during the same period bringing the total to 191.

Only 1 recovery had been recorded in this period, increasing the total to 36 recoveries. With these recoveries, there are now 155 COVID-19 active cases for the Province.

There were no reports from Isabel and Choiseul provinces on Wednesday as swabbing continues this week and will be updated when data is available.

For Makira Province, no additional cases had been reported with the case count remaining at 2 with both cases having returned to negative status in last week.

Temotu and Rennell Bellona still remain COVID-19 free. The Honiara City Council health department started rapid testing through its health facilities since 1st February with the aim to promote increased availability of testing centers.

—GCU

COVID patients on Ontong Java surviving on their own

Written by
Admin
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Ontong Java island of Luaniua from above. Photo: Beni Knight.

An Atoll Island, Ontong Java, where the first covid-19 transmission occurred was left abandoned almost a month with its positive cases only to survive using local herbs with holy oil.

A community leader John Mao, in an interview with Island Sun yesterday, says they are still waiting for medical team to be sent from Honiara, essential and non-essential covid-19 medical supplies.

He said they have received assurance from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services but until now they are still uncertain when the medical team and medical supplies will arrive.

He said from rumours they heard that a vessel is on its way and expecting to arrive midnight or today morning.

Island Sun understands the Oversight Committee have engaged Solomon Prestige 2 to deploy the medical team and medical supplies when all requirements are fulfilled.

All vessels must go through an arrangement by Solomon Island Marine Time Authority (SIMA), N-DOC Infrastructure Sector Committee, Health and with coordination to provincial disaster operation committee by National Operation Center.

A check to SIMA office to confirm whether or not the Solomon Prestige 2 has left for Ontong Java could not confirm that.

SIMA says the vessel should go out for anchorage and return for final approval before it can depart for MOI.

At this stage people on Ontong Java are still experiencing flu and rely on local herbs and holy water for recovery.

Chairman of Malaita Outer Islands Covid-19 Taskforce Lawrence Makili said Ontong Java is the first location COVID-19 community transmission has been declared, but the Government has not given any priority to it.

“The Oversight Committee should make immediate response by deploying a medical team but until today there is no medical team being sent,” Makili said.

He said what surprised him is other provinces already received their food relief supplies.

He made reference to Western and Choiseul provinces who already took delivery of the much-needed food supplies to support the operation of their quarantine and isolation stations on 14 February.

Makili questioned why the oversight committee prioritized Western and Choiseul provinces over Malaita Outer Islands.

“Ontong Java was abandoned with its positive cases, there was no observation and data collection on the ground.

“All fundings for covid-19 preparedness were dumped on the two same locations, Western and Choiseul province.

“No funds had been utilised on Ontong Java on Covid-19 facilities.

“It is like the Oversight Committee had neglected the people of Malaita Outer Islands,” he said.

Makili said his committee is well established but the authorities never appreciate community initiatives.

“We have structures in place and communication and prepare to work with the authorities in networking and dissemination of information but all our enquiries have fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

He also questioned the Oversight Committee for engaging a fishing vessel own by JQY to deploy medical team to MOI.

More cargo boats to Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
Unloading of cargoes via MV Ocean Joy at Auki wharf.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) is liaising with Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) and ship-owners on exemption of cargo boats to the province.

Chairman of PDOC Charles Eddie Koto disclosed this to the Island Sun as more cargo boats are expected in the province in coming weeks.

Koto, who is also the acting provincial police commander for Malaita, said at the moment only four boats were granted approval from SIMA and his committee to transport cargo to the province.

He said the boats are MV Florence and MV Ocean Joy owned by Franja shipping and MV La3na and MV Chrismary owned by Aekema shipping.

The ships had their first cargo trips to Auki last week and they will be moving more cargoes across to Auki in the coming weeks.

Koto explained that in order for ships to provide cargo service to the province, they must apply for exemption from SIMA.

He said after SIMA granted them exemptions, SIMA will liaise with PDCO for endorsement before ships can be allowed to service the province.

Koto said exemptions will only be issued provided shipping companies agreed to abide to required COVID protocols to safeguard the public and stop the spread of the virus.

He said the province has received only four cargo boats in Auki so far and PDOC is aware of intentions by shippers to serve other parts of the province.

Koto said recently, PDOC has also endorsed a cargo boat to serve Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) following approval from SIMA.

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