New patrol boats for Samoa; pediatric Covid campaign in Fiji all go; Pacifica targetted in NZ diabetes campaign; new life for closed Samoa airstrip; no change to abortion availability in American Samoa; upset at Vailima move to Fiji and more
New patrol boats for Samoa
Samoa's Ministry of Police and Prisons is set to receive two boats, one from Australia and a second from Japan.
The Australian vessel is set to be used for medevac and disaster response, later this year.
Samoa's first Guardian class patrol boat, which was gifted by Australia two years ago, was damaged in a grounding last August in Savaii.
Last month, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, announced Canberra would provide a replacement.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Government has offered to purchase a boat at a cost of $US6.6 million dollars.
This boat will be smaller than the Guardian vessel and will be used for coastal surveillance as well as search and rescue missions.
The new generation of Guardian Class Patrol boat being rolled out across the Pacific by Australia as part of strengthening regional maritime security. Photo: Austal
Pacifica targeted in NZ diabetes campaign
A Pacific health researcher in New Zealand, has affirmed the need for a targeted diabetes prevention and management programme allocated funding in New Zealand's 2022 budget.
Dr Ofa Dewes, who attended the Post-Budget breakfast for Pacific communities in Auckland's Mangere, said it is greatly needed because diabetes is prevalent in Pasifika peoples both in New Zealand and across the region.
She said she's confident the New Zealand Pacific budget package will meet the health needs for Pacific peoples.
Pediatric Covid campaign in Fiji all go
Fiji is ramping up its pediatric vaccination campaign.
The health ministry says around 150,000 children between the ages of five and eleven will start receiving Covid-19 vaccines from Wednesday.
Health secretary James Fong said vaccination for children in this age range will be done via the school vaccine programme following consent from parents and guardians.
Out of 165 Covid-19 deaths reported in the third wave, six were in the population not eligible for vaccination - meaning those under twelve years old.
Dr Fong said the objective is to ensure they get as much protection as possible for all Fijians over the age of five.
The Health Ministry received over seven-thousand doses of Pfizer vaccines for children last week.
"I'm very grateful for the investment in diabetes and for the treatment .... to ensure Pacific peoples receive the primary care they need and deserve," he said.
New life for closed Samoa airstrip
Samoa's minister of civil aviation Olo Fiti Va'ai has told parliament that the government will reopen the Fagali'i airstrip.
The deputy opposition leader Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo questioned the minister about the safety of the short runway which had been the catalyst for the closure by the previous government.
Olo said they plan to use government land west of the runway to extend it.
The airstrip has been through many closures, with Sunday flights affected because of complaints from nearby villages of noise during church services.
The recent closure came after planes had gone over the runway proper and nearly crashed into the security fencing.
No change to abortion availability in American Samoa
Abortions continue to be available in American Samoa under special circumstances.
This was clarified by Acting Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale during a news conference while commenting on the US Supreme Court's decision on Roe vs Wade.
Talauega said the ruling doesn't outlaw abortions nationwide, rather it allows states to govern on this issue.
He says for American Samoa the local statute on abortion remains unchanged.
Upset at Vailima move to Fiji
News that Samoa's national beer, Vailima, will no longer be brewed in the country is not being well received by the Samoan public.
There has been a social media backlash after the Manager of Samoa Breweries Ltd, Moira Simi, told the Samoa Observer that operations would be relocating.
Owner of the Y-Not Bar in Apia, Jay Schuster, said it's a blow to the country.
"It's going to change everything, it won't be the same. All the jobs and everyone employed...that's going to be a big effect on the people...also the beer was one of our biggest exports as well so it doesn't benefit us in way whatsoever. Yeah it is sad to see it go," he said.
Some reprieve for power consumers in CNMI
The Northern Mariana Utilities Corporation is giving power users a $US150 dollar credit.
A spokesperson from the company says it is hoping this givew short-term relief in light of skyrocketing electricity rates.
The price of power in the CNMI started increasing dramatically in April, forcing the utility to find solutions to help customers manage their electricity usage and bills.