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In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new corona virus disease in Hubei Province, China as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated there is a high risk of the 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) spreading to other countries around the world. The Solomon Islands Government is taking action to prepare for, and respond to, the threat of a COVID-19 outbreak. Get informed: find out more about the virus and how to Protect Yourself and Protect Others with these resources:

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Covid-19 Related Media Releases

  • Fisheries Minister congratulates World Tuna Day Art and Talent quest winners Read More
    Fisheries Minister congratulates World Tuna Day Art and Talent quest winners
 

Honiara, 20 May 2022: The four winners of the Parties to Nauru Agreement (PNA) World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest for 2022 were congratulated by the Minister of Fisheries Hon Nestor Giro at his office on Friday, 20th May 2022.

He described this year’s PNA Art and Talent Quest, as a special one for Solomon Islands, because out of the five (5) prizes that were up for grab, 4 were won by Solomon Islands Artists.

The local artists who won entered in two categories, namely music video and art

Seasoned musician and Journalism lecturer at Solomon Islands National University, Jeremy Inifiri won the music video’s first prize while Elextor Jr was the runner-up.

The others, Casper Hairiu’s entry in the Art category won him second prize while Emmanuel Manau Wainini settled for the 3rd prize also in the art category.

All entries featured the World Tuna Day 2022 theme “OUR TUNA, OUR HERITAGE.”

Minister Giro said for Solomon Islands, the theme reflects well with our societies and communities.

“Tuna has been part of our lives and history for many years. Your art work demonstrated our heritage and importance of tuna in our societies and our lives,” he added.

World Tuna day is celebrated around the globe on 2nd May every year, however, the Ministry of Fisheries and its stakeholders were unable to celebrate this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Minister said Tuna is important to the economy and livelihoods of Solomon Islanders therefore, his Ministry is working closely with its partners (both regionally and internationally) to ensure tuna stocks are sustainable and healthy at all times.

The two winners in the art category formally handed over the winning art paintings to Minister Giro who received them on behalf of PNA.

“As the Minister responsible for Fisheries, I have the honour to receive your art works on behalf of all the PNA countries.

An elated Mr. Inifiri said he was delighted to have won the music video category and thanked all who contributed to make his entry successful.

“I featured my children in the music video because our tuna fishery is important for their future as well” he said.

Meanwhile, Hon Giro has encouraged the winners to continue to show their talent in future PNA World Tuna Day Art and Talent quest.

“This is your opportunity to share and show your love for tuna and the importance of tuna to our country through your art work and music”, he said.  Ends// Fisheries Minister congratulates World Tuna Day Art and Talent quest winners Fisheries Minister congratulates World Tuna Day Art and Talent quest winners
  • Health salutes Malango Association of SSEC Churches & West Honiara Dorcas for providing food supplies to NRH Read More
    Health salutes Malango Association of SSEC Churches & West Honiara Dorcas for providing food supplies to NRH
 

West Honiara Seventh Day Adventist Dorcas delivering food supplies to NRH kitchen

Health stands in great salutation towards the continuous unwavering and steadfast support of the churches and their Faith Based Organizations (FBO) towards the various work of health, from roll out of health programs and projects to caring for the sick.

Last week NRH was very blessed with the delivery of food supplies such as  Kumara or Cassava, vegetables, fruits, dry coconuts, banana, meat sausages, rice, chicken and fish provided by the Malango Association of South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) churches that comprised of eight (8) local churches in Malango, Guadalcanal and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Dorcas of West Honiara.

Pastor Nathan Gideon of the Malango Association of SSEC Churches explained that God has been so good to our country and people ever since the outbreak of COVID-19 in January and this is reflected through the work of health workers and many others combating the virus thus the giving is simply our thanksgiving in honour to God of his workings through these individuals for our country.

Ellen Anikwai SDA West Honiara Dorcas Leader, also expressed similar sentiments that the food supplies provided to sick patients at NRH is an act of worship to God for his love and care for our people. “Twice every year we allocate time and budget to mobilize food supplies for the hospital and this month is our first for this year. Next one will be in the fourth quarter of 2022. It is part of our work as Dorcas to help those who need it including caring for the sick. Thus, we are very pleased to help in this regard” said the Ellen.

MHMS Senior Executive Management is very grateful to the Malango Association of SSEC churches and the West Honiara Seventh Day Adventist - Dorcas for the food supplies provided.

“It is common that at times we also face shortage in supplies due to our suppliers not being able to meet the demand on time, as on average 200 patients are admitted per day  including the same number of relatives or caregivers thus hospital makes around 400 feeds per meal time for three (3) time a day. Therefore such support will greatly help us to maintain food stock and supplies at our kitchen. On behalf of our sick patients and staff a very big thank you to these two groups for the support rendered”, said Dr George Malefoasi, Chief Executive of NRH.

Overall health would like to thank all the churches for their prayer support, proactiveness in various ways from supporting health with dissemination of key health messages to the public and actively mobilizing communities for health programs and projects to directly offering support in terms of food, pastoral visits to patients and staff.

-MHMS Press Health salutes Malango Association of SSEC Churches & West Honiara Dorcas for providing food supplies to NRH Health salutes Malango Association of SSEC Churches & West Honiara Dorcas for providing food supplies to NRH
  • Tocilizumab drug to treat COVID-19 severe and critical patients is now in country Read More
    Tocilizumab drug to treat COVID-19 severe and critical patients is now in country
 

Group photo with the drugs_ Munara Mamaiusupova, WHO Health Emergencies and Admin Officer, WHO COVID-19 Adviser Dr Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey, Deputy Secretary for Health Services Dr Gregory Jilini and NMS Manager Wesley Kukutu.

NMS, National Coldchain Manager Aven Patson and WHO Health Emergency Admin Officer going through the COVID-19 injections Tocilizumab inside the NMS Walk-In Cold Room.

Tocilizumab an antibody drug approved by the WHO to treat COVID-19 patients has arrived in country.

On Thursday 19th May, The World Health Organization handed over to the Ministry of Health a box of the COVID-19 injection Tocilizumab worth USD$18,404.49 (Approximately SBD150,000).

At the hand over, Dr Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey, WHO COVID-19 Advisor said that this drug has been approved in the treatment of COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory properties in some countries as early as June 2021.

“It was only added to the WHO list of prequalified treatment for severe and critical COVID-19 on 11th of February 2022. It was later made available to WHO member countries through the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which enables equitable access or distribution of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines”.

“Solomon Islands was amongst 10 other Pacific Island Countries that received allocation of the drug through the ACT Accelerator partnership platform in their first release and as such became the first country in the Pacific Region to receive the shipment of these essential drugs” explained Dr Fletcher-Lartey.

The drug has been endorsed in March 2022 by the National Medicines and Therapeutic Committee for use in country. The drug will be administered by health workers in a monitored clinical setting along with current standard of care for COVID-19 which includes oxygen and other medications.

In receiving the drugs, Dr Gregory Jilini, Health’s Deputy Secretary for Health Services said that though country have passed the 1st wave and Honiara already passed the peak of the 2nd wave, province are still recording increases in number of cases indicating that are yet to reach the peak.

“Therefore, risk to health and lives of elderlies, those with underlying health conditions and health risk behaviors still remains. These drugs will enable our clinicians to better treat severe and critical cases of COVID-19 from this 2nd wave and possible future waves”.

He however cautioned that this drug does not cure someone from COVID-19. It simply adds to the list of medications that can be used to treat COVID-19 severe and critical patients. “Therefore, those not yet vaccinated must still get it done”, urged Dr Jilini.

-MHMS Press Tocilizumab drug to treat COVID-19 severe and critical patients is now in country Tocilizumab drug to treat COVID-19 severe and critical patients is now in country
  • SI-PNG border police boosted with new infrastructures Read More
    SI-PNG border police boosted with new infrastructures
 

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at the common border between Solomon Islands (SI) and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will be boosted after a handing over of new police infrastructures on 29 April 2022.

The handing over ceremony happened between the contractors, the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) and the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) via zoom.

Permanent Secretary (PS) MPNSCS Ms Karen Galokale handed over an accommodation barrack, new office wing for Kulitanai Police Station, kitchen, generator shed and two Jacob's ladders to the Commissioner of police.

The barracks is a full concrete building containing eight rooms, four bunk beds per room, wardrobe, ceiling fan and water tanks. There are three male toilets, three shower rooms and a laundry area. Two female toilets and 2 shower rooms for females.

The Construction started in December 2020 and completed in October 2021. The total cost of the whole project is estimated to be around SBD 2.5 million dollars.

PS Galokale thanked the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank for funding these very important projects under the SIG COVID 19 Fund for Disaster Relief and she would like to thank the contractors, FAMOA Chiefs and Short lands Island communities for their great support.

“Appeal to RSIPF Commissioner and team to take good care and custodian of the completed infrastructure projects. This project will help our officers at the border to provide services to our people at the border,” says Ms Galokale.

She says, “Partnership is very important for effective delivery of services especially when we are operating in a very tight fiscal environment and where COVID-19 further exacerbates the challenges we face as a law and order agency.”

“Government partnership with the private sector and the community is what police are embarking on and our Ministry will continue to promote that approach in delivering our mandated services to our people,” PS Galokale emphasized.

Four bed each room at the new police barrack at Kulitanai Police Station

Front of the completed police barrack at Kulitanai Police Station

Generator shed at Kulitanai Police Station

Jocobs ladder at Kulitanai Police Station

Kitchen house for officers at Kulitanai Police Station

-RSIPF Press SI-PNG border police boosted with new infrastructures SI-PNG border police boosted with new infrastructures
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Updates from SI PM Press Secretariat Page & MHMS Facebook Page

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