The RAM project in Western and Choiseul Provinces has almost concluded. The statistics being provided by the hospitals and malaria workers in both of these provinces have shown dramatic reductions in the incidence of malaria. The provision of bed nets, spraying of houses, and education programs have all helped in the overall reduction of confirmed cases of malaria. The RAM program was timely and critical to allow the malaria workers to undertake their work when the social and political situation in the Solomon Islands brought the malaria control program to a grinding holt. We filled a void in funding and support at a critical time. The people of the West and Choiseul have expressed their gratitude for what we have been able to do in assisting this essential lifesaving program.

But "where to" now for ROTARIANS AGAINST MALARIA in the Solomons?

At a gathering of members of the RAM executive committee held in Brisbane last June it was decided to approach the Heath services of Guadalcanal Province with the offer to undertake the provision of bed nets to everyone in the province, IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WANTED. The RAM project started in Guadalcanal, the first house being constructed at Tetere, 45 minutes drive east of the capital of Honiara, before the ethnic unrest.. A return to Guadalcanal seemed logical. The incidence of malaria on Guadalcanal, both in the rural communities and the urban population of Honiara, is the highest in the country. The provision of health services to the rural areas is only now being restored after the total collapse of rural medical facilities during the "tension".

Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, functions as a separate entity, with the Honiara City Council responsible for many aspects of the health of the urban population of more than 55000. Just how accurate this estimated figure is, is difficult to say. A huge transient population, squatter settlements and lack of up to date statistical information makes educated guessing as reliable as you can expect. It is acknowledged that the provision of antimalarial services in the urban area is one of the most difficult tasks being undertaken by the malaria services staff.

Dr Divi Ogaoga, who had been in charge of health services at Gizo throughout our work in the Western province, recently transferred to Honiara and took on the role of Medical Director for Guadalcanal Province. Dr Divi along with the Director of Vector Borne disease control, and the Ministry of Health have expressed great enthusiasm at our suggestion of RAM returning to Guadalcanal. "YES, PLEASE COME TO GP". resounded at every meeting and discussion.

So how do we attack this next task?

Guadalcanal is a mountainous, rugged island, with a poor road network adjacent to the capital Honiara providing access to only a small proportion of the population of more than 66,000. Air travel is almost non-existent at the moment, with outlying airstrips non operational since the unrest. Sea transport is difficult. The rugged coastline especially along the weather coast, makes sea travel uncertain for much of the year. Vessels have to be offloaded to dinghies or canoes. Interesting, challenging to say the least, but it is essential that we all understand the magnitude of the logistics problem. There is a network of medical treatment centers around the island. Each is staffed by well trained and dedicated people. Radio communications allows contact with Dr Divi and his headquarters staff for both emergency and routine clinical activities.

What is happening at the moment with the rural malaria program?

See photos of the Anti-Malaria campaigne on Guadalcanal

A dedicated group of malaria workers continued to provide whatever services they were able to during the ethnic unrest, but many of the rural communities of Guadalcanal were by necessity, excluded from the provision of services for many years. Now, with the restoration of law and order, the workers are concentrating their efforts on the supplying of bed nets and spraying of houses in their assessed" most needed areas". The Government of the Solomons has availed itself of a "soft loan" from the World Bank to provide infrastructure and materials for malaria services on Guadalcanal Island. Funds have been slow in coming but at long last a vehicle has been ordered and some spray chemicals and bed nets have been acquired to commence work in the most critical areas. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. What is needed is enough bed nets to allow everyone to sleep safe from the bite of a mosquito. The message is clear, " IF YOU DON'T GET BITTEN YOU WON'T GET MALARIA"

And this is where Rotarians can help.

The RAM Adopt-a-Village program in PNG has been an outstanding success with many Rotary Clubs right across Australia adopting villages and providing funds to allow the Rotary Club of Port Moresby to supply bed nets.

Rotarians Against Malaria would like to extend the Adopt-a-Village program to Guadalcanal Province of the Solomon Islands. Our aim would be to provide bed nets to every person in Guadalcanal Province. Dr Divi and his malaria workers tell us that the priority is to ensure that all pregnant women and small children receive protection and treatment (where necessary). Next in the priority list is all school children, both at home and at boarding school.. Then the remaining population.

So just how many bed nets do we need? Where will they go? What else is needed ? What is in these villages now?

These are the sorts of questions that we are going to be asked. Getting the answers has not been easy, but with a great deal of help from Dr Divi and his friends in Honiara we have been able to pull together information and put it on this website.

How will the Adopt-a-Village for Guadalcanal actually work?

As we are doing with the A-a-V in PNG we are asking Rotary Clubs to Adopt a village and provide funds at whatever level they are able to ( suggested levels are small village $1000.00 ; medium village $2000.00 ; and large village $3000.00)
These funds should be sent to PDG Richmond Manyweathers, PO Box 198, Caringbah, NSW 1495
clearly marked " Solomon Islands adopt a village". Richmond will acknowledge receipt and forward the funds to the RAWCS Treasurer. In due course the Club will receive details of the village they have been allocated. ( They can choose a village from the list on this website if they wish to OR a village will selected by RAM and Dr Divi.) The funds will be used to purchase LONG LIFE BED NETS, which will be delivered direct to the Rotary Club of Honiara who will pass them on to Dr Divi and his medical team.

Some Clubs might like to combine together as a group to adopt a group or cluster of villages. This makes administering the funds easier. It also allows for the possibility of applying for a Matching Grant from The Rotary Foundation, for a reasonable sum. The Rotary Club of Honiara and the Rotary Club of Gizo are the only Clubs in the Solomon Islands and are of course restricted in the number of Matching Grants they have open at any time. With Clubs combining together in making an application they make better use of Foundation Funds. Check this out with your District Foundation Coordinator.

Dr Divi plans to photograph the delivery of nets at as many villages as possible and have these posted on this website.

That is how the RAM involvement will work. The RAM structure will be the conduit for Rotary Club funds to purchase bed nets and to get them to Honiara. Dr Divi and the Guadalcanal Province Malaria workers will arrange distribution of the nets and keep the Rotary Clubs informed of progress.

But that need not be the end of the exercise. Indeed we hope that it is only the beginning and that Rotary Clubs will develop relationships with their adopted village and become involved in other projects and programs. Perhaps it will be supplying funds for a water supply project, or the sending of school text books to the local school through Donations in Kind. The information we have been able to supply on this website is only the beginning, personal contact with someone in the village will allow opportunities to develop. If RAM can help, please ask.

So to summarize;-

• RAM would like to provide bed nets for everyone living on Guadalcanal Island. Priority will be for pregnant women and small children, then school children.
  
• Rotary Clubs can assist by providing funds
  
• Check details of villages on this site and choose a village, or request RAM and the medical staff of Guadalcanal Province to allocate a village for your Club.
  
• Send your cheque to "RAM - Solomon Islands Adopt-a-Village" C/- PDG Richmond Manyweathers, ( Richmond Manyweathers, PO Box 198, Caringbah, NSW 1495)
  Your donation will be acknowledged and Adoption details forwarded to your Club in due course.
  
• RAM will arrange for the purchase of the nets and delivery to Honiara
  
• Medical staff will photograph nets being distributed and keep you informed of progress

MALARIA IS PREVENTABLE

" IF YOU DON'T GET BITTEN YOU WON'T GET MALARIA"

YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Contact PDG Peter Thomas
22 Prider Street,
Nuriootpa, SA 5355
(08) 8562 1982

email: pjthomas@ihug.com.au