Minister of Health and Medical Service has voiced strong support for the Service Bill 2025, warning that the country faces a critical shortage of health workers and deteriorating rural infrastructure that threatens the delivery of essential services.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister Paul Bosowai praised the Ministry of Public Service for its role in drafting the Bill.
“Allow me to commend the Ministry of Public Service for the tireless effort in the initial presentation for the policy document that informed the drafting of the Bill.”
He also acknowledged the legal drafters and the Bill and Legislation Committee (BLC), noting, “With stretched capacity and scarce resources, I must applaud them all for what they did coming up with the 67 recommendations.
“You have done your job well and my sincerest acknowledgement to the BLC team.”
Bosowai highlighted the World Health Organization’s projection of a global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, emphasizing that “The crisis in human resources, particularly in the health sector, has been described as one of the most pressing global issues of our time.”
He revealed that the Ministry of Health currently employs 2,505 staff, including 251 doctors and 1,553 nurses, but the doctor-to-population ratio remains low at 3 per 10,000.
“Staff movement towards urban areas has resulted in significant health staff shortages in rural areas and in over-staffing in Honiara,” he said.
Bosowai called for better retention packages and improved living conditions in provincial areas.
“The environment upon which my health workers are deployed to, particularly to the provinces, must be favorable and conducive,” he said, citing the need for access to markets, banking, schools, and transport.
He identified two major bottlenecks: urban drift and poor rural housing. “The first is the uncontrolled drift of staff away from the provinces into the urban areas. The second is the limit and the deterioration of rural housing infrastructure,” he said.
Bosowai also praised MPs who used their Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to support health services.
He acknowledged the MPs for Laubaelelea and Central Honiara. “MP for Laubaelelea, thank you for using your CDF to enhance the health services that people need in the remote areas,” he said.
He concluded with a call to action: “Health care is a fundamental human right, but without health workers there cannot be a health service. So we must support this Public Service Bill.”
The Public Service Bill 2025 is expected to address systemic challenges in staffing, infrastructure, and service delivery across Solomon Islands’ health sector.
By ANDRIANAH DELASALET KOLE
Solomon Star, Honiara.
