The letter I wrote yesterday telling how the NZ Ministry of Health had deployed a specially equipped bus for some 20 years as a mobile medical clinic and operation theatre visiting rural and remote areas in NZ brought some quick reaction from readers.
One person said he was surprised the Solomon Islands was still without such a vital touring medical vehicle, while others commented on the necessity and value of having a boat in service capable of visiting all outer island communities, fitted out as a floating medical centre.
I quite agree the idea of having a boat with specialist medical equipment, operation theatres and with qualified doctors and nurses on board is an excellent idea and one long needed in the Solomon Islands.
Such a service operates successfully in several countries and has operated in the USA, in New Zealand and in Africa to my knowledge.
The successful operation in Africa uses a specially equipped vessel that was purpose built at a shipyard in China and put to operational and very effective medical and humanitarian use by Sea Mercy sailing to the West Coast countries off the African Sub-Sahara coast.
A hospital ship is designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment centre or facility or. Most are operated by the military forces (mostly navies) of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones.
In 2020 I did hear that Sea Mercy had the idea of serving the outer islands of the Solomon Islands and there was even the rumour that the MHMS had an arrangement with Sea Mercy to commence such a medical service. I have not heard anything since 2020 of the possibility of Sea Mercy coming to aid the Solomon Islands much as Sea Mercy continues to do off the coast of Africa,
I would greatly encourage the MHMS and the government in partnership with its diplomatic partners, including New Zealand in particular, to see how the local MHMS might benefit from a floating medical ship service to regularly visit the distant and isolated communities in the country, much as I believe Sea Mercy had in mind two years ago.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
