22 March 2019
Medical and health service initiatives worthy of praise at home and in PNG
It has been reported that the peopleof Rennell and Bellona Province (Renbel) will now be able to access and enjoy a much more improved health and medical services in their province.
This followed the formal opening and handing over of the first ever Area Health Centre (AHC) at Tingoa on Rennell on Tuesday.
The facility was funded by the Solomon Islands Government at a cost of about SB$6 million dollars.
The modern health facility was initiated in 2016 as part of the National Government’s efforts to bring medical services to people through implementing the Role Delineation Policy and the advancement of Universal Health Coverage.
The key aim of the policy is to ensure effective delivery of essential health and related services with improved coverage and equitable access and minimal financial barriers.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health has shown that Rennell and Bellona Province has one of the highest referral cases to Honiara due to lack of specialized health services in the Province for many years.
“The opening of the center demonstrates the National Government’s ongoing commitment to the current National Health Strategic Plan of 2016 – 2020 for Health, which aims empower people to live a life that is healthy, happy and productive,” said Caretaker Minister Dr. Kaitu’u.
Construction of the centre began in 2017 and was completed in May 2018. Its completion brought people of the province together to celebrate and witness the milestone achievement on Tuesday.
The health complex will soon be equipped with modern medical equipment to provide new and improved services including general outpatient, X-Ray, dental, laboratory, maternal and post natal, adolescence health and non-communicable diseases programmes.
Similar area health centres are currently under construction in some identified locations around the country as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services continues to implement the Role Delineation Policy.
Source – Solomon Star News.
In a separate development the Solomon Islands Nurses Association (SINA) has promised a close working relationship with the Solomon Islands Government to implement the recently agreed nurses’ scheme of service.
This was confirmed by Mr. Adrian Simbe, President of SINA, during the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between SINA and the government to implement their scheme of services.
“I would like to make it clear that my executive will work closely and more collaboratively with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and stakeholders in implementing these schemes and other health related matter,” said Mr.Simbe.
He said this is the trust his executive will work with the government to further strengthen and enhance.
Mr.Simbe also acknowledges the former SINA executive for the ongoing collaborative working partnership they had fostered with the government.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Service Nego Sisiolo, during the signing, also acknowledges the parties involved for signing the agreement and reaffirmed a close working relationship with SINA.
Source : Solomon Star News.
In neighbouring Papua New Guinea, it has been reported that India is looking at the feasibility of solar energy projects providing the country with soft loans to pay for them and, also, agreed to assist the PNG government to get a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit
Additionally, India has also announced (according to the ‘Post Courier’ to plan for traditional Indian wellness centres and assist the Port Moresby General Hospital in its efforts to set up a cancer centre and provide anti-retro viral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.
Source: Radio New Zealand
Last week in the Solomon Islands, the Republic of China (Taiwan) government confirmed continous infrastructure assistance for the National Referral Hospital (NRH) when launching the much needed endoscopy suite gifted to the NRH by Taiwan.
It is very encouraging to have learned of the medical gains, health service commitments and offers of donor support for medical services at home and in Papua New Guinea and I express my appreciation and thanks to all concerned.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
