18 March 2023
I read that things are going apace for the Pacific Games in Honiara with a stadium and facilities for the athletes and a greening programme underway to beautify the city and environs in readiness for the events and the arrival of visitors
It is my wish that the Games will not only put the Solomon Islands under the spotlight but there will be lasting benefits in terms of economic returns and in long term interest in fitness programmes beneficial to health.
In terms of health I am pleased the government is giving attention to the old 10 bed system that once operated with St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and I very much hope there will emerge a system where sick patients of the NRH can be transferred offshore for medical, and often, life saving treatment.
There is a not so silent majority at home that write to me , much as I outlined in my recent letter, "The cries of the people", referring to the fact that the Members of Parliament have health coverage and health benefits denied to the majority of the people, and the health system is requiring a major injection of funding to see better health provisioning and services.
Many cite the fact that as much as they see the value of the Pacific Games, priority should have been devoted to the health system and major improvements to services with specialist surgeons and doctors available to all at the NRH.
I feel obliged to bring this information to the notice of the government as requested by those who have written to me.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
