New machine to screen cervical cancer here

Cervical cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related deaths for women in Solomon Islands, according to health authorities. Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr Cedric Alependava revealed this, Thursday. He was speaking at the handing over of an important medical device called “Colposcope” by the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation to the Ministry…

Malaria workers to collect data

A week long training conducted for malaria workers on data collection and slide testing ended, Thursday. The training was part of preparing malaria workers for an indicator survey to be conducted in the provinces. Malaria Vector Borne Disease Programme within the Ministry of Health facilitated the training. More than 60 malaria workers participated in the…

NZ funds new eye care centre here

The New Zealand Government is contributing $3.8 million to the Fred Hollows Foundation to build a new eye clinic in the Solomon Islands. The state-of-the-art centre will double the number of patients that doctors can treat there. Luke Teaman was blind for 20 years because of cataracts. After a 20 minute surgery, his sight was…

Afuga hits back at Mata

FORUM Solomon Islands International chief executive officer Benjamin Afuga has hit back at a response made on the chemical spill issue. General Manager of the Tandai Seafront Hotel, Martin Mata in response to initial reports made by FSII on the issue described the claims as none-sense. But Mr Afuga yesterday said Mr Mata’s response only…

Students thank Miss Solomon

A student of Goldie College says Miss Solomons Tema Wickham is a role model for students, and in particular for girls, at the school. Christopher Lekelalu, a form four student, made the remarks when he delivered his speech during the reopening of the school’s upgraded kitchen recently. He said the new upgraded facility was a…

WHY MALAITA LAGS BEHIND IN DEVELOPMENT

My Column in last Friday’s paper on what vocal Malaitans really want in terms of development drew quite a following. As expected, the social media network, Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) led the pack in attacking me personally and in some postings, threats were made against me. Of course no one expects anything less nor…

Truth about the chemical spill

I refer to the above article in your local news column of your paper in yesterday’s issue where the CEO of FSII, Benjamin Afuga claimed that he had unsuccessfully attempted to talk to our management over the incident. That claim is pure nonsense. Our telephone lines and e-mail contacts are open around the clock and…

Rural and urban divide: Lessen the gap

I am writing this article from the provincial capital of the Western Province, Gizo. The last time I visited Gizo was in December year 2000. There were some obvious developments in Gizo over the last 14 years. These include new shops and buildings, new hospital, and more vehicles. Just to name a few. However, the…

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

The greatest show on earth, has now began. •    Solomon Islanders will be treated to a feast of football as Our Telekom brings live the 2014 World Cup to our television screens starting today. •    Brazil, the spiritual home of soccer, is hosting the global soccer event long dubbed the “Greatest show on Earth”. •   …