The Fracture Clinic at the Orthopaedic Ward, National Referral Hospital (NRH), was reopened on Monday 29th after a two-week renovation.
This had restored vital services for patients requiring bone and joint care and critical trauma services for patients across Solomon Island.
The refurbishment marks the first major upgrade to the clinic in nearly a decade.
Dr Patrick Hou’asia, Head of the Orthopaedics Department, said that the clinic had deteriorated over the years and was in urgent need of repair.
“Over the past years it has rundown. Almost ten years now since the clinic was created and since then not any work has been done,” he said.
The renovation was coordinated by Friends of the Hospital and supported by South Pacific Medical Projects, focused on tiling and cubicles upgrades.
Dr Hou’asia praised the improvements, noting, “The type of tile is much, much better than the previous ones that has been used before the renovation.”
He added that the work was completed swiftly and professionally.
“The contractor did a good job. They did it within the time frame. We gave them two weeks and they did it within two weeks,” Hou’asia said.
Hou’asia emphasized the importance of the Fracture Clinic in treating trauma cases and its accessibility and 24-hours service.
“Once a bone is broken, its broken. We have to straighten them so they can go back automatically and function,” he said, urging patients to seek medical attention promptly rather than relying on traditional born-setters.
Hou’asia also highlighted plans for further expansion.
“We are planning to build a waiting hut outside. That will be phase two. Phase one is the tiling and cubicles,” he said.
Looking ahead, theres hopes to transform the clinic into a full trauma centre.
“We are planning to have a trauma centre. We have already requested the executive to give us a space. We want to have our own operating theatre that will be very accessible for patients,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to donors and supporters.
“We cannot offer anything, but I think we will be seeing our patients in a timelier manner,” Hou’asia.
NRHl is the country’s main tertiary care facility, serving thousands of patients annually.
The Fracture Clinic’s reopening is expected to ease pressure on outpatient services and improve care for trauma patients nationwide.
By ANDRIANAH DELASALET KOLE
Solomon Star, Honiara.
