Health Minister Morris Toiraena prioritises primary health care and upgrades to clinics, hospitals and referral services
Health Minister Hon. Morris Toiraena says the Ministry will place primary health care at the forefront of its efforts, in his speech in response to the Throne of Parliament yesterday.
He highlighted, for many people, the first contact with the health system is not the National Referral Hospital. It is a rural health clinic, a nurse aide post, an Area Heath Centre, a community health worker, or a nurse serving a remote village.
“These frontline services must be treated as the foundation of national health, not as an afterthought.
“The Government under my ministry will rehabilitate closed clinics and upgrade Area Health Centres so they can provide more reliable and comprehensive primary health care services. The includes maternal and child health, immunisation, family planning, nutrition, treatment of common illnesses, management of non-communicable diseases, mental health support, health education and early referral for patients who need specialist care”, said Hon. Toiraena.
He said the ministry will work with provincial health authorities to identify the health facilities in greatest need of rehabilitation and to ensure that investments are matched with staffing, equipment, water supply, lighting, communications and maintenance. A building alone does not provide health care. A health facility must have trained people, medicines, equipment and a reliable system around it.
He further added, provincial hospitals must be able to do more for the people they serve.
“The Government is commitment to strengthen hospitals such as Kilu’ufi and Gizo recognises a simple fact: not every patient should have to travel to Honiara for care that can safely be provided in a provincial centre. We will support the development of specialist and referral services closer to communities, including improved diagnostics, surgical capacity, maternal care and treatment for chronic conditions”, said Hon. Toiraena.
He explained, this will reduce pressure on the National Referral Hospital, reduce the cost and hardship of travel for families, and allow patients to receive care nearer to their support networks.
“At the same time, the National Referral Hospital will continue its development towards a fully-fledged tertiary institution. It remains the country’s principal referral hospital and carries responsibilities that no other facility can yet meet. The Government will work to expand diagnostic capacity, strengthen specialist and sub-specialist training, improve patient flow and support better clinical outcomes”, said Hon. Toiraena.
But he said, the future of the National Referral Hospital cannot be measured only by new buildings or equipment. It must be measured by whether patients receive safe, dignified and timely care; whether our health workers have the tools to do their jobs; and whether the hospital is managed with discipline, transparency and respect for the public it serves.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services Media
