THE Naha Birthing Facility, a flagship project of both the Australian government and Solomon Islands government, is expected be completed in July 2026.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai when speaking in Parliament last month on the Sine Die Motion moved by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to indefinitely adjourn Parliament.
He said construction work on the project commenced in July 2024 and it is anticipated to be completed in July 2026.
Minister Bosawai said the facility will play a crucial role in terms of the MHMS’s offloading strategy of the burden on the National Referral Hospital (NRH) where patients are sleeping on the floor.
He also highlighted the Lata Biomedical Laboratory as another of the various key health infrastructures funded by the Australian Government.
Minister Bosawai also highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is looking at renovating health facilities in the urban areas and more especially, the Kukum Clinic in East Honiara.
He also took the opportunity to highlight the assistance provided by the People’s Republic of China to the health sector.
The MHMS Minister said much has been achieved in 2024 following the establishment of the bilaterial relations between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China in 2019 through the assistance of the Chinese Medical Team (CMT).
He said the fourth cohort of CMT is expected to arrive in 2025 and they will continue to work with their local counterparts at the NRH in the new Comprehensive Medical Centre. The China-funded three-storey health facility is scheduled to be opened later this month.
Minister Bosawai also hailed the MHMS’s collaboration with the World Bank under the COVID-19 Emergency Projects, which he said saw the expansion and improvement of the National Medical Stories in July 2024.
He also took the opportunity to highlight the health facility projects that are either set for opening or completion in 2025 and they are:
- Koinade Health Centre, which is 90 percent complete;
- Tukutaunga Area Health Centre, which is 85 percent complete;
- Wagina Area Health Centre, which is 90 percent complete;
- Dedeu Rural Health Centre, which is 100 complete;
- Gounatae Health Centre, which is 100 complete;
- Leona Rural Health Centre, which is 90 percent complete;
- Sulufoloa Rural Health Centre, which is 100 percent complete; and
- Taro TB Ward facility, which is 90 percent complete.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
