Nurses from Naha Clinic are sharpening their emergency skills in a three-week refresher training — gearing up to deliver faster, lifesaving care when the new Australian supported Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre open this year.
The hands-on training at the National Referral Hospital focuses on practical emergency response: CPR, simulated emergency case management, managing chest pain, and the safe administration of emergency medicines so nurses can act quickly to save lives.
Honiara City Council Health Director, Dr Lawrence Diau, said that while the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre will be focused on community health care and not emergency health issues, it’s best to be prepared.
“This is part of a range of refresher training we’re providing to our frontline health workers to ensure they’re ready to deliver the very best care to our community,” said Dr Diau.
“Through this training, nurses are gaining the skills and confidence to respond quickly to emergencies.”
The Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre comprise two buildings: a Birthing Centre with five birthing suites and 17 inpatient beds, and an Urban Health Centre offering a range of outpatient services with nine clinic rooms, two dental chairs, and pathology, pharmacy, and medical imaging with ultrasound and X-ray.
The centre will open in stages, commencing mid 2026 with the Urban Health Centre, followed by the Birthing Centre.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jeff Roach, acknowledged the preparations underway to deliver a new standard of health care when the centre opens later this year.
“While the building gets its final touches and is fitted out with quality equipment, we’re also investing in the frontline health workers who’ll be running it. That’s what will make this a first-class health care facility for Honiara, and one that will be fully- readied to serve the community,” High Commissioner Roach said.
Naha nurse, Ms. Anna Vahia, said the training was helping her prepare for real-life emergency situations at the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
“I’m gaining confidence so that when the Centre opens, I will know how to deal with emergency cases and provide proper care to patients,” Ms. Vahia said.
Ms. Vahia said she is also learning how to perform electrocardiography (ECG) to assess patients with chest pain and how to safely administer emergency medicines.
“For me, this training is very important because it prepares me for working at the clinic and for serving the wider community,” she said.
High Commissioner Roach said the preparations illustrate the strong partnership between staff at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara City Council, the National Referral Hospital, and Australia.
“The goal of Naha is to ease the pressure on the National Referral Hospital and make sure people can access a range of health services closer to home,” Mr. Roach said.
“Australia is in this for the long haul — supporting the health and wellbeing of Solomon Islanders through quality, locally built infrastructure and strong workforce development.”
– AHC
