Home Blog Page 930

Doctor makes SOS call amid ‘diabetes crisis’

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Dr Jones Gabu

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A local prominent doctor is appealing to the government to set up non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics around the country.

This is in light of the exponential growth of NCD in the country, against very limited resources to deal with this problem.

Dr Jones Ghabu, consultant physician for Non-Communicable Diseases and Diabetic Centre, National Referral Hospital (NRH), said a clear evidence is the increasing rate of NCD admission at the NRH.

“My appeal to my beloved government of the day, please we need NCD clinics for all provinces in Solomon Islands.

“My Soldiers are well trained but we have no battleship or tanker to fight,” he said.

Ghabu said the truth and reality is that NRH is the only hospital with a standalone diabetic clinic in the whole country.

“CIP- Tulagi, Isabel-Buala and Temotu and Guadalcanal Provinces have no NCD clinics.

“I have trained their soldiers, they have no tankers or battle ship nor ammunition to fight.

“For Makira, Gizo Hospital and Helena Goldie Hospital-Munda and Temotu, I thank the REC (Eye Team) for sharing their building with us.

“Choiseul -Taro, Malaita-Kiluúfi and Renbel, all shared tables and desks with other public health programmes- no space to manage NCD programmes in this crisis,” he said.

Ghabu said this war is long overdue to be fought. It needs all hands-on deck.

“Now a days clinicians watch helplessly the sad reality of this deadly disease on daily practice and, we only wish this country come together with a slogan UMITUGEDA AGAINST NCD”, a shift in thinking and approach to prevent and control this deadly pandemic-NCD Crisis,” he said.

Land awareness on PARI land in Noro tomorrow

Written by
Admin
-
0

COMMISSIONER of Lands, Alan McNeil will be conducting a public meeting in Noro, Western province on Thursday at 2pm, specifically to do with Pari Development land.

PARI Development Company Ltd Managing Director, Donald Bato came out in the Island Sun newspaper last week claiming that the money the company collected from people living on its land is to support the company pay their General Property Rates fees to the Western Provincial Government.

The company in March this year had paid $123,464.20 to the Western provincial government. [Island Sun has sighted documents pertaining this]

Meanwhile, McNeil said he is interested to hear from the public what they have to say about that.

“I’m also keen to understand the extent of Pari Development’s land deals and to reassure members of the public residing on the land I took back from the company that I will not be evicting them, and instead I will work towards putting a report to the Land Board seeking to formally offer them land title, something Pari Development never did,” he said.

Explaining this last week, Bato said although PARI had every right to evict settlers off its lands in Noro, it did not for humanitarian reasons.

“We did not want to repeat what Samlimsan and KHY companies did to settlers on their land, which media had reported the companies of forcefully evicting and chasing out settlers. That is cruel and inhuman,” Bato explains.

He said instead they opted to offer the settlers time to, while continuing living on PARI land, look for where else to go.

But, Bato elaborates, while the settlers continue living on PARI land, it is only fair that they help the company pay the provincial land rent fees.

Hence, he said, PARI discussed with the settlers and all agreed on small amounts of contribution from each.

He reiterates an underlying point in this issue which is, PARI has plans to further develop its lands there, but for the very reasons explained above, it cannot at the moment.

Ling defends Mamara house design, quality

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

METROPOLIS Pacific Pte Ltd has defended the construction of new houses at the Mamara New City in North West Guadalcanal.

General Manager William Ling said the housing construction techniques adopted for the MAMARA houses are modern techniques originating from Australia and New Zealand, with capacities to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 12 and typhoons.

Ling said the materials were selected for their high-quality environmental protection, fire resistance, heat insulation, and termite prevention.

“In only two months, a new town complex with 50 fully-functional novel villas will be built on what was previously completely barren land.

“The speed of construction would be impossible to achieve without the hundreds of local employees who are working hard to bring a new standard of housing to Solomon Islands,” he said.

Ling said the houses currently underway are intended for civil servants and ordinary citizens.

“It has always been our intention to ease the housing shortage that has plagued Honiara for a long time.

“For civil servants who wish to purchase these houses, they need only put a down payment of 20%-30% of the house price, and after obtaining a mortgage loan from the bank or finance company, shall only spend half or two-thirds of their current rental outlay to serve the monthly mortgage repayment amount,” he said.

Ling said it is their own choice as to whether to continue to pay rental or to put a portion of their earnings into purchasing their own home

Furthermore, Ling said the current development plan comes after many years of planning, discussions, setbacks and adjustments, finally receiving approval at the 8th and 9th sessions of the annual Mamara Council Meeting.

“We have persevered through many obstacles, including the Covid pandemic in order to finally kickstart the Mamara project.

“It is only possible through the cooperation and support of the central government of Solomon Islands, the provincial government of Guadalcanal, and their people,” he added.

The Mamara project and the development of Mamara-Tasivarongo-Mavo land is based on Solomon Islands Law No. 145.

“While Metropolis Pacific Pte Ltd is the company that is party to an Agreement made under this law, Metropolis Mamara Development Limited is our wholly-owned subsidiary that has been incorporated and registered in Solomon Islands for the specific implementation of the Mamara project in terms of development and construction,” Ling said.

The original shareholders of Metropolis Pacific Pte Ltd (and thus, Metropolis Mamara Development Limited) occupy two seats as Council Members on the Mamara Council, out of the three Council seats assigned for the developers.

Ngedea back in court today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man accused of lying and demanding money from a retired doctor will have his case heard in court again today.

This is the case of 45-year-old Sam Ngedea who was accused of obtaining more than $40,000 from a retired doctor in 2018 and 2019.

His case was listed to appear before Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison.

Prosecution charged the accused with 25 counts of false pretence and 21 counts of demanding with menace.

This is regarding the allegations between December 3, 2018 and July 20, 2019 where he lied to an elderly doctor and obtained more than $40,000.

Prosecution said the accused collected the monies from the victim on various occasions as compensation, accusing the victim trying to have sex with a woman he claimed was his mother.

Prosecution also alleged Ngedea during those times would appear using names such as George Ben, John Lake and Peter.

It was also alleged that the incident was made-up by the accused making prior arrangement with the woman to meet the victim on the case.

Steward Tonowane is appearing for the Crown while Lazarus Waroka from the Public Solicitor’s office is representing the accused.

Choiseul adapting to covid-19 regulations

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Taro Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

COMMUNITIES in Choiseul Province are said to be slowly adapting to covid-19 regulations.

Deputy Provincial Secretary of Choiseul Province, Nelson Tanito said Choiseul Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) is working closely with the national team to ensure the safety of communities.

He said community leaders have been briefed with the country’s covid-19 regulations and taken onboard responsibilities to support the national government.

Administration officer of Choiseul, Abel Kutukana said community leaders are cautioned of any new comers to their villages, especially those crossing from Shortland Islands to Choiseul.

“People in the communities now absorbed how fatal covid-19 is. People are afraid of the virus and now takes active measures to make sure their communities are safe,” he said.

A police officer spoken to said similar understanding now invading communities and household living close to the boarder.

“It was very difficult for us to control border crossing at the beginning of our operation as some people from Shortland Islands have close connection with people from Bougainville.

“These people have been enjoying close relationships, exchange of foods and normally came face to face with each other, so it was really difficult to put a stop this practice which has existed over the past years,” the officer said.

Police border review team meets in Gizo

Written by
Press Release
-
0

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) review team met with Gizo Police and Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) in Gizo, Western Province, this week.

The meeting as part of their review in relation to the COVID-19 operation that has been ongoing since April last year in the Shortland Islands.

A police statement said the meeting comprises of representative from respective sectors operated under the PDOC, these are Health, Education, National Disaster Committee, Save the Children, livelihood [Ministry of Agriculture], CSSI and RSIPF.

AC Pogeava speaks during the meeting in Gizo

Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention Simpson Pogeava says the review team has been to the western border between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (SI-PNG) to assess how the RSIPF operation has impacted the communities with in the western border and to develop the next approach.

“By so doing, it will strengthen police operation for the betterment of this country in terms of security in assisting the Ministry of Health Medical Services (MHMS) of this health crisis,” Pogeava said.

“During the operations minor review has been made based on the intelligence reports and recommendations provided by the Commanders on the ground,” he added.

PDOC and RSIPF during the meeting in Gizo

“However, our team were here for a full review that we have commenced for the past few days in Shortland Islands and Taro, Choiseul.

“Now we here in Gizo to meet with your team (PDOC) who is also one of the key stakeholders to the RSIPF COVID 19 Western Border Operations and have the oversight of the Western Province COVID 19 Response Operations.”

Pogeava thanked officers in Western Province policing as they are the ones overseeing the Shortland Islands and Choiseul Province for the support of deploying their officers to be part of the COVID-19 Operation at the border.

During a meeting with the PDOC in Gizo, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Evelyn Thugea says they want to hear comments, recommendations and honest feedback from the committee that will help the review team.

“Since we have been working together at the beginning of this operation your team has been on the ground observing what has been done concerning our contribution into this COVID-19 issue,” Thugea said.

“Critics will be more appropriate and important so we can step up to what the expectation of those concerned citizen here in the western border.”

Camp Managements Coordinator, Western Province Lizzy Wong during the meeting says they have their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when it comes to certain level of COVID-19.

Review team with Police officers in Gizo

“When we go out to the community isolations, we highly need police presence to provide safety for us,” Wong said.

“It will bring confidence to women and children living around the quarantine and isolation sites,” she added.

“I want to thank police for their support in terms of logistic and security.

“And we are looking forward for their continues support and work together for more upcoming events regarding this COVID-19 operation.”

Pogeava in return acknowledged the presence of PDOC and the effort they have put in to continue activate their committee.

“This demonstrates how concern we are about the health wellbeing of our people here in Western Province.

“Thank you for the issues raised that will enable us to improve in our border operation and will continue to give support to each other.”

–POLICE MEDIA

NCDs impacting services and resources at NRH

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
National Referral Hospital. Photo supplied

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Diabetes and non-communicable diseases (NCD) are heavily impacting the limited resources and services at the national referral hospital (NRH).

This was uttered by Dr George Malefoasi Chief, NRH executive officer at the recent opening ceremony of the new Diabetic Centre, NRH.      

“These statistics showed burden of the diabetes and other NCDs is having an impact on the limited resources and services of the NRH and Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS),” Malefoasi said.

He reported from 2015 to 2020 the NRH admitted an average of 14,146 patients. Within the same period there was average of 11,500 discharges. In 2019-2020 there were 11,556 to 12,568 admissions (9-10 percent of the Honiara population).

“The medical ward (adult ward) is one busiest department in terms of length of admissions (1,090), as well as patient day care (13,468) in 2020. Besides maternity and special care nursery, medical ward has one of the highest bed occupation rate of 88 percent in 2020.

“Medical ward also have some of the longer stays in the hospital in 2019 it was 14 days average length of stay which slightly reduced in 2020 with 11.8 days,” Malefoasi said.

He said the NRH admission records showed an increase of NCD cases of 31 percent (187) from the 2018 total of 590, to 777 totals in 2020. The WHO STEPS survey in 2O15 flagged primarily changing lifestyles including eating habits, diet, physical activities as common causes of hypertension and diabetes.  There are also secondary contributing factors such as low socio-economic challenges that influences the prevalence of NCDs.

Malefoasi stressed the number of admissions of Diabetic cases made up the majority of NCDs by around 60percent and hypertension 40 percent of the total since 2018.

He said 283hypertension were admitted in 2020. Whilst the total of 494 were due to diabetes. Of this total the majority 97 percent were type-2 non-insulin diabetes cases (483) and insulin-dependent of (11).

“According to the deaths record at NRH from 2018 to 2020, the medical ward which makes up 34 percent of all cumulative deaths record of 1,688 in total over the three years period. And most of these deaths were due to end-stage and NCD complications.

The medical department is one priority area for consideration – upgrading and improvement at all level,” Malefoasi said.

NCD increases at 15-20 percent rate every year

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is increasing at a rate of 15-20 percent every year.

Dr Jones Ghabu, head of Internal Medicine Consultant Physician Responsible for NCD and Diabetic Centre, said this is according to NCD statistic admission.

“Our local Statistic showed NCD admission to NRH is increasing at a rate of 15-20 percent every year and is becoming a common knowledge to all of us that NCD has hit a crisis point for the health system in our happy isles,” Gabu said.

He said each day clinicians diagnose, admit and certify NCDs (diabetes) among our people.

“Diabetes is the number-one cause of death for all ages in Solomon Island over these past years, increasing at the rate of 4.83 percent each year.

“We need to arm ourselves for war against NCD (diabetes) at all levels of health system and services. We have a WAR to fight. In war, we need trained soldiers or commandos, we need ammunitions, and we need battle ships and tankers. We need the standard operation guide or the battle field plan,” Gabu said.

He adds that doctors, nurses and paramedics have been trained under the SolPEN programme.

Chief Executive Officer to National Referral Hospital Dr George Malefoasi when speaking of hospital statistics also mentioned some of the NCD admission related figures.

Malefoasi said the number of admissions of Diabetic cases make up the majority of NCDs by around 60 percent and hypertension 40percent of the total since 2018. 

In 2020 the total of 283 hypertension were admitted. Whilst the total of 494 were due to diabetes.

“Of this total the majority 97 percent were type-2 non-insulin diabetes cases (483) and insulin-dependent of (11),” he said.

Malefoasi said to the deaths record at NRH from 2018 to 2020, the medical ward which makes up 34 percent of all cumulative deaths record of 1,688 in total over the three years period. And most of these deaths were due to end-stage and NCD complications.

He said these statistics showed burden of the diabetes and other NCDs is having an impact on the limited resources and services of the NRH and MHMS.

The above statements were stressed at the opening of a diabetic clinic at the National Referral Hospital.

COVID vaccination call

Written by
Press Release
-
0

ALL persons living in Honiara and on Guadalcanal who are 18 and above are welcome to visit the Central Field Hospital in Honiara for their COVID-19 vaccination.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) made the invitation, Monday.

“Essential workers, including public transport drivers and crews you are strongly advised to also come forward for vaccination,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added the decision by the COVID-19 Vaccine National Coordinating Committee (NCC) to open vaccination for this group was reached after assessing current status of vaccination coverage for all frontliners, vaccination of people with underlying disease and vaccination coverage along the western borderline communities.

“The decision was also based on the operational and logistics challenges and the cost of rolling out the vaccine.

“In total over 15,000 doses of COVID-19, vaccines have been administered so far.

“In Honiara the initial 7000 doses of AstraZeneca allocation for the capital were fully utilized, in fact over 7000 doses were administered with a coverage of over 70 to 80 percent of all frontline health workers including all other frontliners.”

The statement said in Western Province, vaccination was carried out for all frontline workers, which also included public figures such as community and church leaders in Gizo, Noro and Munda were also vaccinated.

In Shortlands, the target group was entire population 18 years and above and nearly 80% of the population has received their first vaccine.  

“All communities were reached with COVID-19 vaccines and all eligible persons who came forward received their first jab.

“In Choiseul, vaccination has reached all 6 catchment areas or group of communities facing the western border.

Over 3,000 people vaccinated in these catchment areas; however, the vaccine uptake has been low (34%).

“We have still kept some doses of AstraZeneca vaccine for launching campaigns in near future.

“With this, we would like to inform that there are still some frontliners and persons 18 years and above along the western border that still needed to get their first vaccine dose.”

However, the statement said health cannot simply put on halt all other groups simply to wait for them, thus roll out for all 18 years and above will now commence in Honiara, Guadalcanal and then Western Province, MOI, Choiseul, and other provinces.

“With the current vaccination at the Central Field Hospital, 25,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine were available and since the launch of the Sinopharm vaccine last week Friday, nearly 2000 doses have been administered meaning less than 23,000 doses now available.

“Therefore, health is calling on all persons 18 years and above in Honiara and parts of Guadalcanal that can easily access the Central Field Hospital to come forward and receive your COVID-19 jabs.

“We are also working on the outreach programmes to reach far off communities to promote vaccination.

“Second round of vaccination for all persons who have received their first dose of AstraZeneca will commence as of Wednesday this week.

“However, your date is flexible and you can come for vaccination anytime within 2 weeks of your dose being due.

“For any further information pertaining to vaccination at the Central Field Hospital please call our toll free line, 115 and speak to one of our operators who will direct you to the best person available to address your needs.”

Chinese companies and domestic politics

Written by
Admin
-
0

AN OBSERVER

THE row between the national government and the Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) has degenerated to a level that is politically unhealthy and could have an adverse impact on infrastructure developments on Malaita.

There is enough blame to go around on both sides. But there is a need to resolve it promptly before it infects the entire country.

At face value, this is a dispute over the Solomon Island Government’s decision to sever diplomatic relation with Taiwan and recognize the People’s Republic of China.

The MPG has been adamant about its opposition to the China relationship. Other Solomon Islanders have also expressed concern about the relationship. This is the most widely debated diplomatic relationship.

However, many acknowledge that international relation is a prerogative of the national Government and have therefore moved on, even if they are still concerned about the China relationship.

The MPG has refused to do that and has written its anti-China crusade into the Auki Communique. This has since become an issue of tension between the MPG and the national Government.   

The most recent blow-up is over allegations that the tender for the construction of the Fiu Bridge in Central Kwara’ae has been awarded to the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and assistance for Premier Daniel Suidani’s medical treatment.

The tension between the MPG and the national government manifests itself at three levels with intersecting issues.

First, there is a genuine opposition to the diplomatic relation with China. The MPG, like individual citizens, have the right to express their concerns, which they did.

The anti-China sentiment is fueled in part by Solomon Islanders’ negative perception of China.

This is influenced by their encounters with Chinese shop owners, logging companies, Chinese goods, etc.

It is also influenced by a sentimental connection to Taiwan after 36 years of diplomatic relation.

Furthermore, there are the rhetoric associated with the geo-political competition engendered by China’s increasing influence.

Second, the tension between MPG and the national government is a classic example of an appropriation of international relations to frame and express domestic politics.

It is therefore more about domestic politics and the relationship between the national and provincial governments, than it is about China, Taiwan, U.S., Australia, etc.

Those countries have become pawns in Solomon Islands domestic politics.

At the same time, Taiwan – and much less explicitly the U.S. – are exploiting this rift to promote their agendas.

Here, domestic and international politics intersect, which is not uncommon, but this case could be diabolical for everyone.

Third, the tension is a result of personal differences that have histories beyond the diplomatic relation with China. These include dismissals and connections to past and future elections.

The MPG refuses to accept the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the Fiu Bridge project, which will affect Malaita people’s access to quality infrastructure.

The project could be awarded to another contractor, but that could delay it, or perhaps no other contractor wants it.

CHEC has previously had contracts in Solomon Islands, including the Transport Sector Flood Recovery Project on Guadalcanal.

In fact, Chinese SOEs have, in recent years, been successful in bidding for infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands.

This includes China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) contract to build the SINU Panatina complex and the proposed Moga Bridge in Northeast Guadalcanal.

Perhaps Chinese SOEs are successful because they are bigger and can outbid and undercut other contractors.

In the future, they will probably dominate the construction market.

Or perhaps it’s because the value of the contracts are comparatively small. Other companies are therefore not interested.

For example, the Fiu Bridge project is less than US$10 million and the SINU complex is about US$12 million.

Maybe the Chinese companies are bigger and therefore can absorb the cost and still make money.

Chinese SOEs have been in Solomon Islands prior to 2019 and have helped grease the switch in diplomatic relations.

This is not unusual. We have seen similar practices elsewhere.

For example, On 3 September 2019, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government Executive met with Yao Ming, the Chinese Chargé  D’affaire to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The meeting was part of Beijing’s attempts to persuade provincial governments about the potential benefits in switching diplomatic relation.

The Chinese delegation included representatives of China Railway International Group Co. Ltd., CHEC PNG Ltd. and two representatives of subsidiary companies.

This is a complex saga with multiple layers, issues and characters. 

In trying to make sense of it, it is important to go beyond the exchanges between the MPG and the national Government and be immersed with the nuances of the stories.

This cocktail of personal differences, domestic politics, international relation, and Chinese companies could leave Solomon Islands with a nasty long-term hangover. 

1...929930931...1,690Page 930 of 1,690