Martin Magga
Encyclopedia
Martin Magga is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands
. He served as the Solomon Islands
' Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey in Prime Minister Derek Sikua
's Cabinet
until May 2009, when he was transferred to the position of Minister for Health and Medical Services.
As Minister for Health, he announced that the government was implementing "a Sector Wide Approach (SWA) for the health sector": “The Sector Wide Approach brings together Government, donors and implementing partners under the leadership of Ministry of Health and Medical Services [...] in a more harmonised, integrated and coordinated effort to support the National Health Strategic Plan.” The "main objectives" of this approach were "to raise quality and accessibility of health services and improve financial sustainability and the management of the health system".
Magga had also served as Minister for Justice in 2007, and was Acting Minister for Agriculture and Livestock for a time in 2008.
In May 2009, mere days after his appointment as Health Minister, and while returning from the World Health Assembly
in Geneva
, Magga "suddenly developed medical problems". He was hospitalised in Australia
. The media reported that he had undergone "urgent surgery" and that he was in "critical condition".
In June, he was "relieved of his ministerial duties on medical grounds" and replaced by Clay Forau Soalaoi
. The Solomon Star reported Australian doctors as saying that Magga would "not be able to function as he previously did, either as minister or as member of parliament", due to "a series of complications during and after surgery". He remained on life support
but reportedly showed "slight improvement".
He was, nonetheless, successfully returned to Parliament in the August 2010 general election
, though he was not given a Cabinet position.
He lives in the Reef Islands
.
National Parliament of the Solomon Islands
The National Parliament of Solomon Islands has 50 members, elected for a four year term in 50 single-seat constituencies.It is presided by a Speaker - currently Sir Allan Kemakeza.-Latest elections:-Members:...
. He served as the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
' Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey in Prime Minister Derek Sikua
Derek Sikua
David Derek Sikua served as the ninth Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from December 20, 2007 to August 25, 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.-Career:Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village in Guadalcanal Province...
's Cabinet
Cabinet of the Solomon Islands
The Cabinet of Solomon Islands is the cabinet of the government of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands has a Westminster system of government.-Current Cabinet:...
until May 2009, when he was transferred to the position of Minister for Health and Medical Services.
As Minister for Health, he announced that the government was implementing "a Sector Wide Approach (SWA) for the health sector": “The Sector Wide Approach brings together Government, donors and implementing partners under the leadership of Ministry of Health and Medical Services [...] in a more harmonised, integrated and coordinated effort to support the National Health Strategic Plan.” The "main objectives" of this approach were "to raise quality and accessibility of health services and improve financial sustainability and the management of the health system".
Magga had also served as Minister for Justice in 2007, and was Acting Minister for Agriculture and Livestock for a time in 2008.
In May 2009, mere days after his appointment as Health Minister, and while returning from the World Health Assembly
World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly is the forum through which the World Health Organization is governed by its 194 member states. It is the world's highest health policy setting body and is composed of health ministers from member states....
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Magga "suddenly developed medical problems". He was hospitalised in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The media reported that he had undergone "urgent surgery" and that he was in "critical condition".
In June, he was "relieved of his ministerial duties on medical grounds" and replaced by Clay Forau Soalaoi
Clay Forau Soalaoi
Clay Forau Soalaoi, more commonly referred to as Clay Forau, is a Solomon Islands politician.He was first elected to Parliament, representing the Temotu Vatud constituency, at the 2006 general election, in April. From 22 April to 5 May, he served briefly as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs,...
. The Solomon Star reported Australian doctors as saying that Magga would "not be able to function as he previously did, either as minister or as member of parliament", due to "a series of complications during and after surgery". He remained on life support
Life support
Life support, in medicine is a broad term that applies to any therapy used to sustain a patient's life while they are critically ill or injured. There are many therapies and techniques that may be used by clinicians to achieve the goal of sustaining life...
but reportedly showed "slight improvement".
He was, nonetheless, successfully returned to Parliament in the August 2010 general election
Solomon Islands general election, 2010
A general election was held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date...
, though he was not given a Cabinet position.
He lives in the Reef Islands
Reef Islands
The Reef Islands are a loose collection of 16 islands in the northwestern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. These islands have historically also been known by the names of Swallow Islands and Matema Islands....
.