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Challenge to border vaccination rollout

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Police officers patrolling the Western border with Bougainville. PHOTO ABC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Lack of resources to support Western Border vaccination rollout is seen as one of the challenges/gaps that needs addressing.

National Disaster Council highlighted this in its National Situational Report released yesterday.

The report states that Resourcing of Western Border Operation for vaccination rollout to be fast-tracked.

“Responsible authorities to take note and action recommendations from Situation Updates that are sent from OSOCC,” it states.

However, the Risk Communication Officer from the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Western Province have arrived last Saturday 24th of April, and awaiting vaccination roll out.

“COVID-19 vaccines are on standby awaiting to be distributed to Western Border Clinics in preparation for the roll out,” it states.

Furthermore, the Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) for Western and Choiseul are manning and supporting the On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) with the deployment of personnel and resources down to the border.

The report states the Risk Communications Team have completed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for vaccination sensitization and wait the vaccination roll out at the Western Border.

It said the Team has completed 100% of the communities at the Western Border.

Moreover, the Immigrations and Customs/ Biosecurity maintain their presence at the border with no illegal border crossing reports as of yet however the presence of a foreign logging vessel has triggered an operational response team to inform the ship and its crew on the importance of adhering to the current government SOPE.

Currently the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) continues to receive donor support through the relevant N-DOC Sector Committees. The Government of Australia, New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China being the prominent donors since the SOPE.

International Organisations such as the WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and ADB have greatly supported and assisted the Government’s Response.

200-plus jabbed in Gizo

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SINCE last week’s covid-19 vaccination launch and rollout in Gizo, Western Province more than 200 persons have been jabbed, says Pauline McNeil Health’s permanent secretary.

McNeil thanked the Premier of Western Province and his team for supporting the roll-out of thecovid-19 vaccination launch and rollout in Gizo

“I acknowledged the premier for Western Province and his team for support and who have also come forward to support the roll-out of the vaccination programme.

“Also, I lauded the support from churches who their leaders have come forward. Without the support from the team, I think we would not have the increase of number of patients who have come froward.

“It is a lesson for all of us that there is a lot support and effort the health team undertake during their intensive two weeks training on awareness, sensitization and vaccinate training. With all these efforts they have generated the demand for front liners to come forward and be vaccinated.

“As of yesterday, and today the Western Provincial team have mobilised and went out to Noro, Munda and Shortlands,” she said.

McNeil said for Shortland Islands, MV Freedom has been chartered to move 48 health workers to go to Shortlands due to logistics challenges needed to be addressed because of the wide spread of the islands.

She said the vessel departed Gizo on Sunday evening for Shortlands and the rollout is expected to start yesterday.

“We are hoping the outcome of the COVID-19 vaccination in western Province will be successful,” she said.

Ex-positive cases monitoring ongoing

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

EX-POSITIVE covid-19 cases monitoring carried out by the Ministry of Health and Medical Service is still ongoing.

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to Ministry of Health, confirmed on Sunday’s radio talkback show that at the moment there are only four ex-positive cases they still have to follow up with.

“Out of all the ex-positive cases that have been released back to the community only four ex-positive cases that we still have to follow-up for a complete swift detection for any reactivation.

“So, we still focus on that one to conclude all the ex-positive follow-ups,” said McNeil.

She said regarding quarantine station updates there were 31 people who arrived last week on a high-risk flight and were sent to their respective quarantine stations.

They will undergo 21 days of quarantine as well as four COVID-19 test and following four negative tests before they will be released back to communities.

“Last week we also have 49 quarantine station occupants who have graduated from quarantine stations and so as of Sunday on quarantine stations we have 225 quarantiners,” said McNeil.       

Choiseul jab launch, roll-out this week

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

VACCINATION official launch and roll -out for Choiseul province is scheduled for this week, says Pauline McNeil – permanent secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Mrs McNeil said preparations for covid-19 vaccination roll out plan have been completed especially on vaccination awareness, vaccinator training, data entry, management information and adverse effect following immunisation training have also been done.

She said all these number activities will lead on to the launch and roll out.

“We are looking at either Wednesday or Thursday this week to launch the Choiseul province COVID-19 vaccination roll to kick start their vaccination programme.

“I want to thank the province to pledging their support to the roll out including the provincial health director supervising and team for the on-going work done to ensure the Choiseul province COVID-19 vaccination roll out successfully.

“It is a different kind of operation but we hoping that all roll outs will be successful as we move on,” said McNeil.

Cabinet to decide on high-risk flights

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

CABINET is yet to decide on operating incoming travelers from high-risk countries, says Albert Kabui – special secretary to Prime Minister.

Mr Kabui said these flights are from high-risk countries especially Papua New Guinea and India.

“The over sight committee have met yesterday to consider and review passengers coming in from those two risky countries whether we will continue to take them all or to put a halt,” he said.

Kabui said the committee will make a comment to cabinet to make a decision as whether to stop travelers coming in from high-risk countries especially PNG and India in the near future.

He said for repatriation flights for citizens in UK, Japan and Philippines they are still reviewing on how best they will bring them home.

Kabui further stressed in light of three most recent cases as they are detected from incoming passengers coming in from PNG.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands remained at 20 registered cases of COVID-19.

ATM machines damaged

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

THREE Bank South Pacific automated teller machines (ATM) at the Heritage Park Branch were damaged on Saturday night and are currently closed.

A statement from the Bank South Pacific Bank said the matter has been reported to police by bank management and an investigation ordered into the matter.

BSP shared pictures showed the machines bearing damages to their screen.

“To our Solomon Island Customers please note that three ATM at Heritage Park Branch were vandalised and will be out of action for some time.

“We apologise for the inconvenience. Replacement parts will be ordered Monday (yesterday),” the Bank statement said.

Many customers have gone to social media to express their anger against the culprits.

Bank South Pacific (BSP) is an iconic and unique bank in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, recognised for its strong commitment to the region and its Melanesian uniqueness.

Lawyers to make submissions into burglary case

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submissions into the case of a man accused of stealing foreign currencies from his employer will be made today before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

He entered a not guilty plea and a trial was conducted on his case.

This is the case of Ian Pias Walelabua who faced one count of Burglary in relation to an incident on August 28, 2020 between 11.30pm and 12.30am when the victim and his wife were out from their residence at Henderson.

Police alleged that the accused and other male entered into the complainant’s house by climbing the walling to enter inside the house and removed the security camera.

The allegation said it was when they were inside the house, they then removed a cash box that contain the amount of $300,000 SBD, $20,000 AUD and 5,000 pounds.

It was also alleged that the defendant Walelabua before committing the offence did called another employee, who also works for the complainant to find out the couple’s movement on that night.

The phone conversations were made by the accused was to check on the couple whether they were out of their residence.

Police also said the accused Walelabua worked as an electronic officer for the complainant.

Public Solicitor George Gray is representing the accused in court.

Men on rape charge, in court next month

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THREE men charged with raping a girl under 15 years of age will appear again at the High court on May 21, 2021 before Justice Maelyn Bird.

The three men are facing a charge of Sexual Intercourse Child under 15 c\s 139 (1) (b) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 and read with section 21 (c) of the Penal Code.

The case was listed for pre-trial conference yesterday but the defence lawyers were yet to respond to the PTC documents sent by the prosecution.

Therefore, Justice Bird adjourned the case and defence lawyers to respond and sign the PTC documents.

This is the allegation said to have occurred at a village in Isabel province in January 2020.

Police were alerted and the three men were arrested for that alleged rape incident.

The men are all on bail and the Justice Bird extended their bail to the next appearance on May 21, 2021.

Man pleads not guilty to sexual offence charges

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man accused of sexually assaulting a close relative around July 2019 has entered not-guilty pleas to all four counts against him.

The allegations occurred in the Central province on unknown dates in June and July 2020.

After he entered not guilty pleas, Justice Maelyn Bird adjourned the case to May 20, 2021 for mention and all counsels in carriage of the case to sort out documents for the pre-trial conference.

Prosecution charged the man with two counts of indecent act without consent contrary to section 138 (1) (a) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual offences) Act 2016, one count of rape contrary to section 136F (a) (b) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2026 and two counts of domestic violence contrary to section 4 (1) (a) & (c) and section 58 (1) and (2) of the Family Protection Act 2014.

It is alleged that the man sexually abused the 14-year-old victim sometimes in 2019, but the victim did not report the matter, however in various dates of July 2020 he again allegedly sexually abused the victim.

It is further alleged that when the victim went to the clinic, she finally disclosed information to her grandmother about the alleged incidents.

Police then arrested the defendant and charged him following the alleged offences.

Malaita provincial health receives vehicle from MPG

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Officials from MPG and Kilu'ufi hospital staffs posing with the vehicle infront of Kilu'ufi hospital yesterday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA provincial government donated a new brand landcruiser to Malaita Provincial Health Authority yesterday at Kilu’ufi hospital in Auki.

The vehicle was delivered by Deputy Premier, Randol Sifoni to Director of provincial health, Dr Rex Maukera as an achievement of the redirection policy of MARA government.

Sifoni said when the state of emergency was announced last year, MARA government had pursued immediate focus on response plan should there be a community transmission of covid-19.

“It was challenging to know that we are very poor in logistic. For example when a suspected case was reported in East Malaita early this year, people were panicked due to poor logistic support.

“Fortunately, it was not so serious. Hence, to respond to these kinds of incidence, the donated ambulance will be very useful to respond rapidly to covid-19 and other health issues,” he said.

Sifoni said this is a milestone and the vehicle will support the current fleet to respond to immediate casualties and other primary health needs to connect Kilu’ufi to health centres in the regions.

He said the support of the vehicle with proper logistic to connect communities and health centres in the province will save lives.

Sifoni said the vehicle was a gift from people and government of Malaita province to the provincial health and now delivered to your hands for safety and vigilant care.

He said the vehicle cost MPG $3,620,617.50.

 Meanwhile, Maukera thanked MPG for the donation of the vehicle saying it’s a sign of strong partnership between them.

He said the vehicle will contribute to quality health service and increase the coverage 

“Under the strategic plan of the MHMS, we are looking at four key areas and one of the areas is to increase coverage of health service across the country.

“I hope with this vehicle, it will run to pick patients from distance and remote places. It will also help to increase the coverage of quality health services in the province,” Maukera said.

He said the provincial health looks forward to strengthen partnership with MPG towards the future of health service in the province.

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