Honiara : 7 February 2017
Letter to the Editor, Island Sun Newspaper.
Following the publication of a letter contributed by Alfred Sasako in your newspaper today, 7 February 2017, in respect of two containers of medical supplies and equipment for the NRF held up at the Honiara Wharf awaiting the payment of storage charges, I am extremely pleased to be able to say the two containers have now been transported to the hospital.
Mr Sasko’s article was promptly followed up by the very kind intervention of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) in waiving the storage charges and also the generous held of Mr Johnny Sy, the Chairman of the SFA who paid for the transportation of the two 20-foot containers to the NRH.
I express my profound gratitude to the SIPA Chairman, Mr Billy Tittiulu and Mr Johnny Sy, for their charitable consideration and support in aiding the NRH obtain the much needed medical supplies and equipment.
The two containers were the first of up to ten 20-foot containers being freighted this year (2017) to the NRH in terms of a MOU between the MOHMS, NRH, Take My Hands Charitable Trust In New Zealand and myself, acting in a voluntary capacity as the coordinator of the MOU between the MOHMS and Take My Hands.
A separate 20-foot container filled with items specifically needed by several local NGO’s, including the Hearts of Hope Charity, the SIDT; the Association of Persons’ with Disabilities and the Women’s Support Centres will be shipped soon.
The NGO’s container has already been paid for in advance, in 2016, by the SFA under the Chairmanship of Mr Sy.
The NZ based Take My Hands Charitable Trust undertakes similar work in terms of MOU’s with organizations in Nepal, Fiji and Pakistan but has given priority attention to aiding the Solomon Islands at my request and detailing the constant need for supplies for the NRH and Provincial Hospitals.
The next container for the NRH will include two specialist items of equipment relating to surgical needs and for testing for hearing problems.
My appreciation is also extended, in this letter, to the Editor and staff of your newspaper, to Mr Sasako for his article highlighting the difficulty in having the containers released from the wharf and for the co-operation, support and assistance rendered by TMH, the Medical Superintendent, CEO and procurement personnel of the NRF.
