Since the Prime Ministers successful visit a few days ago to Isabel to celebrate the Provinces ‘Appointed Day,’ the local media has focused a good deal of attention on Isabel and statements made by the Premier of Isabel, Leslie Kikolo.
In one such statement Premier Kikolo talked about the impact of climate change and how sea rise had started to erode some of the coastal shoreline. I commented on that situation and suggested the Green Climate Fund (GCF) could possibly be of help with funding support to help build up coastal defences as the GCF has helped do in other neighouring states most recently.
I was particularly impressed by what Premier Kikolo had said had been achieved in improving health facilities. He said during one statement that the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) funds had enabled the construction of three new clinics in Hoffi (Maringe district),Valavu (Bugotu district) and Koisisi village (Hograno District) and the rehabilitation of existing clinics in Kamaga, Guguha and Kolomola clinics has been carried in these health centres.
He added, and I quote
“These health facilities are equipped with labour rooms, waiting rooms and small outpatients. Communities in these locations who once used to travel miles to seek medical attention now can access them in a few minutes from home,” he said.
End of quote.
In the same address the Premier gave some depressing news, however, when he mentioned his province had the highest death record of girl deaths due to cervical cancer.
He also said Isabel the province had recorded 70 percent of their deaths as Non-communicable Diseases related (NCDs).
“To curb these deaths, the province had managed to improve water supply with 90 percent access provincial wide, however access to improved sanitation remains a challenge and it lags at only six percent access,” he added.
Comment
To reduce NCDs much needs to be done to change eating habits and, reduce alcohol consumption, cut out smoking habits and take regular physical exercise. A return to a traditional diet needs to be followed cutting out the high level of fat found in imported food products. Stopping eating and drinking products containing too much sugar must also be practiced if illnesses associated with NCDs are to be avoided.
I was alarmed by Premier Kikolo’s remarks about cervical cancer being the highest cause of deaths amongst girls.
Cervical cancer can be deducted by several tests used in screening.
Studies have confirmed that the use of HPV vaccine reduces the incidences of cervical cancer for women who get vaccinated when they are young.
I did read about 2 years ago that cervical cancer screening was limited in the Solomon Islands with only about 4% of women getting a Pap test and how laboratory capacity meant that the tests had to be sent overseas for analysis. The then options for cervical cancer were slim.
At that time (in 2019) I believe with support the WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, PATH, the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation and Rotary International, was focusing on prevention of cervical cancer using the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect girls aged 9-14 years old against the disease.
The pilot scheme I understand was rolled out in two provinces in the country.
With many extremely remote villages, reaching the target populations was going to be challenging.
It was claimed the partners were able to vaccinate 72% of girls in the target age group in Honiara City, while 91% of girls in Isabel Province were vaccinated.
The team from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, WHO, and UNICEF worked closely with provincial health workers, school teachers and community leaders to share information about the HPV vaccine for young women.
In the same year it was claimed preparations were then underway to roll out HPV vaccine across the whole country.
From what Premier Kikolo recently said I just wonder whether the HPV vaccination programme continues and to what extent has PAP smear testing improved for women and girls in the Solomon Islands.
HPV vaccinations can help the fight to prevent cervical infections with cancer causing types of HPV and the development of precancerous lesions in the cervix that can result from those infections.
I would hope that girls are taught at colleges in the Solomon Islands about hygiene measures to prevent cervix infections and the desirability of having PAP tests, assuming, of course, the improved access to PAP testing services are now available at home.
Much is being done to combat coronavirus with the distribution of vaccines but HPV vaccinations for women and girls I see as vitally important and I will hope to learn that the vaccination programme spear headed by the WHO and UNICEF continues.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
