Nishimura's Pen

 BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO  THE covid-19 situation in the country is now improving. That’s according to Incident Controller in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service, Dr Nemia Baenivalu.                                  Health Minister and team talked to a admitted mother at NRH . “With the evidence and data that is provided from our health colleagues in provinces and also in Honiara, we note that covid-19 situation in the country has greatly improved,” Baenivalu told reporters yesterday. He said in the past weeks, NRH no longer admits anyone with severe covid-19 infections. “Lately no infections have been detected through Rapid Antigen Testing from the screening group in front of the hospital,” he said. Bainivalu added the covid-19 ward, known as golden ward, has now shifted back for normal operations for other patients. “In terms of the numbers from 28 th  of May up ...

  BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO  JAPAN says it is serious with its intention to assist Solomon Islands in the safe removal of Unexploded Ordinance to secure safe life. Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Yoshiaki Miwa reiterated this on June 9th 2022. EOD operators remove the UXOs Miwa said on March 15 this year, a grant contract of SBD$6, 267,000 was signed to provide important equipment such as excavator, special purpose vehicles and boats required to widen the scope of the EOD to reach other islands. “In order to proceed the urgent and dangerous operation of EOD effectively and safely, the equipment donated to the Solomon Islands is playing an important role. “It is our government’s intention to develop the cooperation with our partners in this particular project to secure a safe life in the Solomon Islands,” he said. He confirmed that Japan has been and will continue to support the Government of Solomon Islands with its development plans in the years ahead. In ...

 BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO  The Persons with Disability office is calling again on the government to ratify the Convention on the Right Persons with Disability.   Office Manager for People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) Casper Fa’asala echoed this statement this week during the official opening of the PWDSI new office building.   PWDSI staffs and members “Here we are telling the government to not be afraid to sign or ratify the convention because we are already advancing some of the articles in the convention,” he said. Fa’asala said one example is that PWDSI has supported the government under Sustainable Development goal four in the article of Education. “We have supported the government to ensure they have inclusive education policy and that is something significant that we have add value to support the government on. “We have also supported the Ministry of Health and Medical service in reviewing that disability policy. Before it was disability...

 BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO  THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is looking at revisiting a number of communiques and agreements to progress their effort towards a common direction with PWDSI. This was mentioned by Elsie Taloafiri from the CBR division, MHMS. PWDSI manager shares story with guests Ms Taloafiri said the approach of collaboration between the Ministry and People with Disability Solomon Island (PWDSI) has been cemented in a number of communiques and agreements. “It would be appropriate for us to revisit those collaborative agreements and progress our efforts towards common direction with agendas stipulated in those agreements in embracing disability inclusive development collaboration,” she said. Taloafiri on the same note reiterated their commitment towards disability inclusive development and the division within  the Ministry that is responsible for disability is anticipated to follow up in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Med...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO JAPAN’s first batch of medical equipment to support Solomon Island’s effort against covid-19 will be arriving soon. This was confirmed Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Morimoto Yasuhiro. Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Morimoto Yasuhiro Yasuhiro said to support the Solomon Islands government effort against covid-19 the government of Japan signed an Economic and Social Development programme, which procures medical equipment. “It is a pleasure to announce that the first batch of the procured equipment’s, such as hundreds of blood pressure monitors, are coming soon to all provinces. “There seems to be several people who suffered from high blood pressure, so please take this opportunity to enjoy your healthy life by utilising these equipment. We are going to procure more equipment like seven ambulances and eight x-ray machines in following batches,” he said. Yasuhiro said the first loan agreement to the Solomon Islands, named “Covid-19 Rapid...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO Government is looking forward to tabling the Public Health Emergency Bill in parliament so it can commence before State of Public Emergency ends. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare echoed this Monday. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare  “It is the intention of my government to table the Public Health Emergency Bill in Parliament so that it can be commenced before the expiry of the State of Public Emergency on 24th March 2021,” Sogavare said. He said this week’s Consultations for remaining provinces will continue to be followed by consultations with colleagues from the Office of the Opposition and Independent Groups after which the Bill will be finalized for submission to Parliament. Sogavare said consultation on the new Public Health Emergency Bill is progressing well. “The Bills Taskforce team met with churches represented by the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) last week. “Our ch...

  BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO A hiking guide is someone who assist hikers on the challenges of a trek, overcoming obstacles to ensure they (hikers) enjoy all the exquisiteness and pristine environment the trek has to offer. Island Sun last weekend met 27 years-old Baseful Kasiano, a famous hike guide you will meet at the Savo Sunset Lodge. Baseful Kasiano Hike guide at Savo Sunset Lodge, in Savo Central Islands Province  Savo, in the Central Islands Province, is an island known for its “egg fields”, where eggs of the megapode bird are in abundance. Mr Kasiano has been working as a hike guide at the Savo Sunset Lodge to assist visiting guests trek through the well-preserved environment of the Island. Kasiano often leads hikers to visit the well-known Volcano on the island, the warm water fall, dolphin watch and visit to Savo Megapode fields.   “Becoming a hike or tour guide person to guests is an eye opener and at the same time was fun for me. “This job ...