Coming on top of already bad news about a drugs shortage and an operating theatre having largely suspended operations because of the critical drugs shortage at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara, the following news story published yesterday by the Solomon Star newspaper came to me as a shock and a very worrying development, if true.
Quote,
A number of our specialised medical doctors working at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) may soon be heading overseas to take up new job offers.
This comes after their contract with the Solomon Islands Government came to an end, source close to the deal has disclosed.
Already some of the local doctors have indicated their interest to relocate to United Stated controlled island nation of Marshall Islands.
This comes after they were offered attractive packages much better than the package offered by the Solomon Islands Government.
“I can confirm that some specialised medical doctors will be heading overseas to Marshall Islands and other Pacific Islands soon,” the source told the paper.
In the past years, the country had been losing specialised doctors to overseas countries. And the trend is still going on, it was revealed.
The source also highlighted that few medical officers will be leaving soon for other smaller island nations.
It was further revealed there are offers from overseas for local doctors and nurses to work overseas.
Niue has also signed a deal with the Solomon Islands to send few nurses there.
Last week the Nauru government through its medical authority launched a recruitment drive seeking medical doctors and nurses to work on this small island nation.
This advertisement currently circulated via the social media is asking for qualified medical officers who are interested to work in Nauru Public Health as doctors, nurses and public health officers.
Packages and benefits for the positions have also been revealed.
The latest recruitment drive had got every medical officers talking, the source further revealed.
A number of our specialised doctors are also serving in Fiji in the area of paediatrician and eye.
There also doctors currently serving in American Samoa and Cook Islands.
A number of our nurses are also heading to Vanuatu as well under the government’s deal with Vanuatu.
Its understood more local nurses have also resigned to work in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in the Aged Care Centre.
The source said, given the mass exodus of medical workers from the country, its important for the government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to consider the welfare of the current doctors and nurses serving in the country.
The source also highlighted how nurses are performing beyond their scope which affect health care services.
“Nurses should work as caregivers and not performing the work of doctors.”
The source added, the welfare of medical officers in the country must be addressed to avoid such specialised officers from leaving the country.
End of quote..
Comment
I am no longer in the Solomon Islands but worry greatly for the operations and needs of the NRH and I very much hope the SIG and the MHMS in the SI will respond to the reported news to ensure the serious consequences for the NRH and the people needing medical treatment and care do not suffer and attention given to the conditions and remuneration of the doctors and nurses working in very difficult circumstances at the NRH.
Frank Shorr
www.solomonislandsinfocus.com
