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Facility to Offer Specialized Services in Heart, Kidney, and Prostatic Diseases
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, alongside China’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Cai Weiming, officially commenced the construction of the new Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center. The launch, marked by a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony at the eastern end of the National Referral Hospital (NRH), signifies a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The medical center, costing SBD $90 million, is expected to be completed in 2025. It will house specialized medical facilities aimed at treating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as heart diseases, kidney diseases, prostatic diseases, and other highly specialized services in Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Prime Minister Sogavare emphasized that this medical center is the first of its kind in the country and the region, enhancing the range and quality of medical services available to Solomon Islanders without the need for overseas referrals.
During his address, Prime Minister Sogavare emphasized the groundbreaking ceremony as a symbol of the strong relationship between the two nations, acknowledging China’s substantial funding for critical infrastructure projects, including the recent Pacific Games stadium and the forthcoming Auki-Gwanaru’u airport road project. The Prime Minister also highlighted PRC’s commitment to assisting Members of Parliament in financing vital rural projects across all 50 constituencies.
The comprehensive medical center is positioned to elevate the range and quality of medical services available within the country, negating the need for overseas referrals for investigations and treatment. Prime Minister Sogavare particularly emphasized the facility’s focus on addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including heart diseases, kidney diseases, prostatic diseases, and specialized services in Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
The Prime Minister elaborated on the Health Cooperation between Solomon Islands and China, formalized in 2021, which played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cooperation included the supply of 50,000 doses of Sinopharm, a donation of SBD $2 million for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and the establishment of an isolation facility at NRH. Chinese Medical Teams, consisting of doctors, an interpreter, and a chef, have been actively providing medical services since 2022, with a second team arriving in March 2023.
Prime Minister Sogavare in recognizing NCDs as the leading cause of mortality in the country, outlined the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat this health crisis. He asserted that the new medical center is an integral part of this approach, catering to specialized services for individuals with NCD complications. In conjunction with this, the Ministry of Health and NRH have devised a 10-year training plan for medical personnel to ensure the provision of high-quality services at the completion of the new medical center.
As part of the preparations for the new medical center, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and NRH have devised a 10-year training plan to equip medical personnel with the necessary skills. Ten selected staff, including doctors and nurses, are set to undergo a three-month training at Guizhou Medical University Hospital starting in 2024.
The groundbreaking ceremony not only signifies the commencement of construction but also strengthens local efforts to address the NCD crisis, focusing on the five key drivers—smoking, alcohol, sugar, salt, and lack of physical activity. Prime Minister Sogavare reaffirmed the government’s dedication to achieving universal health coverage and emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing the NCD crisis. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese Medical Teams and the Chinese government for their commitment and support.
Source: OPMC/MHMS
