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Ship may be arranged for Hon-Auki passengers

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Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

CHAIRMAN of Malaita Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) Charles Eddie Koto says they are working on permitting a passenger boat to serve Auki next week.

Koto, who is also the acting provincial police commander for Malaita, said PDOC has discussed the matter in their recent meeting and they will be liaising with responsible authorities in Honiara on it.

He explained that PDOC has come up with the initiative following the need to return a number of provincial frontliners who are in Honiara to join covid-19 operations in the province.

“Most of them were on their annual leave when the COVID outbreak happened, resulting in the ban on shipping to Malaita,” Koto said.

“There are also a number of front liners in the province who need to return to their work places in Honiara and other provinces,” he added.

Koto said PDOC will be liaising with responsible authorities in Honiara on the matter and if approval is granted, they hope to see a passenger boat travelling between Honiara and Auki ext week.

Koto said further updates on the matter will be made known, however if approval is granted only passengers who are recommended will board the boat.

He said although both Honiara and Auki have community transmissions, strict conditions must be put in place like passengers must tested negative before boarding the ship both ways.

Koto said PDOC in Auki continues to receive request for exemptions from individuals both in Auki and Honiara and even dead bodies in Honiara to Malaita.

He explained that only the oversight committee has the final say on that while PDOC will only endorse decisions that are being made.

COVID turns away health focus on babies: minister

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THE substantial focus on covid-19 has created a declining trend for unvaccinated babies against other preventable diseases such as measles, polio and tuberculosis.

As a result, Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Culwick Togamana urged parents of babies due for vaccination against these diseases to visit their nearest clinic for vaccination.

“We have noted a worrying decline in vaccination coverage for these other diseases and should we have an outbreak of for instance measles, while responding to COVID-19, it would be truly more devastating for our country,” Togamana said on Wednesday.

“Therefore, we urgently seek your corporation in this regard,” he added.

On Covid-19, Minister Togamana repeated his earlier calls on people to get their vaccines as vaccination remains the most efficient way to protect people from getting sick and dying from the disease.

The Minister encouraged the unvaccinated eligible population of the country to complete their vaccination requirements including booster doses.

Booster doses are provided for people who have completed their second doses after 5 months.

The vaccination roll-out in Honiara continues with the setting up of two centers at Lawson Tama Stadium and the Solomon Ports car park while community and work place vaccination programmes are ongoing and can be arranged with health authorities.

Friends mourn Robert Chow’s death

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Late Robert Chow passed away early this week

THE Solomon Islands Outrigger and Canoe Federation (SIOCF) has joined others from here and abroad in mourning the passing on of a well-known local businessman the late Robert Chow on Sunday at the National Referral Hospital after a short illness.

The federation in a statement said it is sudden by the news of Robert’s death and offered condolences to his immediate family and relatives.

“Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Robert’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the federation said.

“Robert has a lot to offer to the sport especially with the country preparing to host the Pacific Games in 2023,” it added.

The late Robert was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the Honiara seafront business Kokonat Café into a popular spot for those who want to wind down after a tiring day at work.

The business serves kava, a local drink produced from extracts from kava plant.

His vision saw the family business grow tentacles over the years to include other business interests.

As a young man growing up in Honiara, Robert also has passion for sports which included basketball, rugby and soccer.

A fun loving and friendly person, it was no surprise he created many friends over the years through sports and his business.

His departure will certainly leave a void that will be hard to fill.

Robert is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

Rest in Eternal Peace Robert Chow!

38 quarantined on Nusa-tupe island

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Nusa Tupe Island

At about 6pm on Saturday 12th February, the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee of Western Province  admitted 38 people to Nusatupe Quarantine station for further isolation after negotiations with the owner of Lopia Resort at Nusatupe.

A statement from the Western Provincial Emergency Operation Center (WPEOC) said of the 38 people in the quarantine station, 35 are passengers and crew of LC Pacific Grace who have been isolated on board the vessel since six of its crews have been tested positive on February 6th.

Three people who also tested positive in Gizo have also been admitted to the quarantine station.

The Lopia Resort at Nusatupe meets all conditions to be used as a quarantine station and it has been gazetted as well.

The facility has been successfully decontaminated by the health trained team before the admission of the 38 people.

The PEOC acknowledges the Solomon Islands Prison services officers for providing professional security services at the facility.

The NEOC appreciates the leadership and support of the Western Provincial Government to the ongoing COVID-19 operation and coordination in the Western Province.

Wide spread of covid-19 irks Premier Mesepitu

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Premier Christian Mesepitu

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Premier of Western province has voiced his concern over reports of covid-19 community transmission extending to the villages around Gizo.

Premier Christian Burley Mesepitu says he is concerned covid-19 cases have been found in these communities.

He says this shows that covid-19 has spread more than authorities know of.

Therefore, he calls for mass swabbing in Gizo and the surrounding communities.

“I was informed that some COVID-19 patients are from our nearby communities in outskirt of Gizo. This is a huge concern that need our cooperation,” he said.

Mesepitu believes that the virus has invaded some communities without health officials’ knowledge.

He said mass swabbing in communities is a huge need to determine the presence of the virus.

Mesepitu said the situation in Gizo not only put Gizo residence at risk but also people who travelled to Gizo.

He said people must take extra precaution when travelling to Gizo as well as Noro and Munda.

“I want reiterate my previous call to the general public that inter-island travelling is prohibited unless you have very good reasons.

“I’m deeply disappointed to hear few people have been breaching this regulation. If you are living in Noro, Munda or Gizo, please don’t travel to other islands. Be responsible and respect others,” Mesepitu said.

He calls on Western Populace to continue to adhere to COVID-19 public and health measures.

Oxfam launches short film

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Oibola community have built their own preparedness and response systems aligned to the NDMO and SI Met Service response and reporting mechanisms.

OXFAM in the Pacific (OiP) this week launched its short film ‘Cyclone Season’, capturing the incredible disaster preparedness efforts of a rural community in Malaita Province.

The 12-minute film features a theatrical demonstration of the learnings of Oibola Community in the Langa Langa district, who have been part of Oxfam’s Disaster READY Program since 2018.

The community over this period successfully set up a village committee to lead their disaster preparedness and response plans; and equipped with basic trainings on emergency response, compiling initial assessments and situational reports, first aid trainings and gender-based and inclusive trainings.

The film captures Oibola’s colour-coded disaster response plan that the community developed aligned to the Solomon Islands National Management Disaster Office (NDMO) and the Solomon Islands Metrological Services (SIMS) response and reporting systems.

Filming took two days at Oibola starring Oibola residents as actors and portrayals of themselves while additional scenes were taken at the Meteorological Services office in Honiara and a studio session with the national broadcaster SIBC (Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation).

The film also contains live footage of a simulation exercise carried out by Oibola in September 2021. 

“This film is a unique video coverage of our work on the Disaster READY Program in partnership with the NDMO, and it captures the great work Oibola have invested in to protect and prepare themselves in times of disaster,” says Oxfam’s Humanitarian Coordinator in the Solomon Islands Nicholas Suava.

The film will also serve as an awareness and education material to support the work of NDMO and SIMS.

Oxfam’s Disaster READY program in the Solomon Islands works closely with the provincial disaster offices of Malaita, Temotu and Guadalcanal and works with 15 communities across these provinces.

The Disaster READY Program is an AHP (Australian Humanitarian Partnership) initiative funded by the Australian Government and delivered by development partners across the Pacific.

Ngati backs Inquiry call

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Honiara City Councillor, Reginald Ngati

By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA City Council Vura ward member, Reginald Ngati supports the call made by Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer to investigate the cause of the 2021 November riot and looting.

Sir Albert had wanted to see a Commission of Inquiry set up to find a solution to the ongoing problem following the devastation and impact caused by rioters and looters on many properties during the November riots.

He issued the call through a virtual meeting to open the Legal Year on Monday this week.

Ngati said it is an important call given the background of Sir Albert who heads the legal fraternity in the country.

He recalled that the 2006 COI has given the authority information to counter the protest and riot in the future.

Further to that, Ngati said COI could help authority to point out who is responsible for the protest and riots.

“Is it the government? Is it the people or police?

“We can answer it with the report with us,” he added.

Sir Albert stressed the incident sadly was not confined to Chinatown but other parts of the city were also targeted, looted and burnt down as well.

“At the right time an investigation or a commission of enquiry should be considered to be set up to determine inter alia, the causes of the riot and recommendations to be considered as to how that part of the town and businesses and property can be better secured and protected in future,” Sir Albert said.

Attorney General John Muria Jnr said the events that occurred on November 24 was a sad one for Honiara and for Solomon Islands.

“This was a vibrant display of the lack of understanding and respect of the law and no respect for authority,” Muria said.

“Indeed, it was also a clear manifestation of the ongoing decay of moral and societal values,” he added.

Muria said what transpired during the November riots was amongst other things, a lack of understanding of basic principles of law by our youths.

He said the involvement of youths as young as 13 has prompted him to renew calls to all relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Human Resources that our school syllabus needs to be reviewed to include the education of our children of legal principles.

He said this includes the teaching of legal studies at senior Primary and / or at Secondary levels of education.

Guadalcanal health team dispatched to Weather-Coast

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Few of the medical supplies for Lawrence Chobo's team.

The Guadalcanal Swabbing and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team left yesterday morning to train more than 12 nurses at the Area Health Centers (AHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) on the Weathercoast.

The team has split up into two mini-teams.

The first team is led by Lawrence Chobo, a GP nurse and IPC Coordinator. They left via West Guadalcanal and will be picking up one nurse each from Viso, Kuma, Madakacho, and Barainagho. They will wait for the second team at Avuavu AHC.

GP Logistics Team, Steward Ngelea and Alfy Davis waiting for more Medical and PPEs supplies at the National Medical Store.

The second team is led by Dr Zimlon Bosawai. His team left Tetere Beach at 11am via East Guadalcanal.

He will be picking up three other nurses from Saro, Balolava and Nagho and will join the first team in Avuavu.

The MP for East Central Guadalcanal Constituency, Ishmael Avui also lends his support for the team.

Both teams are expected to arrive in Avuavu yesterday evening.

The Swabbing and IPC workshop will commence at Avuavu AHC today.

Dr Zimlon will be conducting the swabbing workshop, while Mr Lawrence will conduct the IPC workshop.

The team will then regroup and head back to Tangarare this Saturday. They will be picking other nurses from Mbabanakira, Marumbo, Wanderer Bay, and Fox Bay.

Their Swabbing and IPC training will commence at the Tangarare AHC either on Sunday or Monday depending on the weather.

The Swabbing and IPC team also has 3,600 Rapid Antigens Testing (RAT) kits. The AHC and RHCs will each be receiving 600 RAT kits after their respective trainings.

The distribution of these RAT kits will boost the swabbing capacity of the Guadalcanal Province.

Dr John Hue final briefing with Dr Zimlon Bosawai before his departure at Tetere Beach yesterday morning

The report will be helpful for the GP Health Emergency Operation Committee (GHEOC) and GPDOC to not only map out the community transmission, but also to work on the next responsive phase for next week.

According to Dr Joel Denty, the GP Health Director, most of the nurses were already trained early last year before the Covid-19 outbreak.

He said that the workshops will be refreshers for most of them.

In the meantime, GHEOC and GPDOC are aware of the Covid-19 like symptoms reports received from most of the wards.

However, such reports can only be proven as Covid-19 positive once the ‘probable’ cases are being swabbed.

So, according to Dr John Hue, who is the current GP’ Covid-19 Advisor, Guadalcanal Province is expected to register more positive cases of the Delta Variant once these ‘probable’ and ‘suspected’ cases are proven positive as of next week.

But, he said that this will depend entirely on peoples’ willingness to get swabbed.

The Swabbing and IPC team is expected to return on Monday or Tuesday next week. – GP Media

China’s cool response to US come-back here

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Peoples Republic of China remains “diplomatic” despite United States of America’s intention to upgrade its consular to an Embassy in Honiara.

United States Secretary of state Antony Blinken has reconfirmed their intention following a state visit to Fiji this week.

Initially, USA has closed its Honiara’s Embassy in 1993, leaving a consular to look after her affairs in the region.

It has relocated its Embassy to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to look after Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Some media said that its purpose is to “increase U.S. influence in the South Pacific nation before China becomes strongly embedded”.

However, a spokesperson for the Embassy of PRC in Solomon Islands said the relationship between China and Solomon Islands has achieved fruitful results in the past years, and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

“It serves the common interests of all countries in the region. China-Solomon Islands relations is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, not directed against any third party.

“China is committed to a community with a shared future for mankind, and the Pacific Island countries advocate principles of “friends to all, enemy to none,” PRC spokesperson said.

“We hope all parties concerned could uphold the same spirit, abandon the cold war and zero-sum mentality, take more practical actions and contribute to the social stability and sustainable development of the Pacific island countries.”

Solomon Islands has switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to PRC in 2019.

Deadly Delta strikes country

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Health authorities have confirmed that the deadly delta variant of covid-19 is infecting the country through rapid community transmission since January this year.

This followed the 10 recent samples sent to Australia for genomic sequencing that confirmed the presence of the delta variant from those samples.

Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Culwick Togamana confirmed the results on Tuesday.

“More recently, we had sent 10 more samples to Australia and all the samples showed the presence of the delta variant, so we can now be reasonably sure that the Delta is the variant that is currently circulating in Honiara and in the Provinces,” Togamana said.

Scientifically, Delta is believed to be more than twice as infectious as previous variants, and studies have shown that it may be more likely than the original virus to put infected people in the hospital.

Studies have shown that people who are not vaccinated are most at risk, and the highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates.  

Studies also show that people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus continue to have strong protection against COVID-19 compared to those who aren’t.

While most Delta infections have been in people who have not had a vaccine, data also has shown the variant to have increased transmissibility even among some vaccinated people.

As a result of these data, Minister Togamana strongly encourage people to get vaccinated.

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