SBD250m Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre opens, expanding primary healthcare services for 50,000 Honiara residents.
The SBD250 million Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre officially opened yesterday, marking a major investment in Solomon Islands’ healthcare system and introducing expanded primary health services designed to serve a catchment population of about 50,000 people.
The facility was officially opened by Minister for Health and Medical Services Morris Toiraena and Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach, with hundreds of community members gathering for the occasion.
The new centre brings a range of primary healthcare and diagnostic services under one roof, including outpatient care, dental services, pharmacy, pathology, medical imaging, and maternal and child health services.
Minister Toiraena described the facility as a significant step forward in modern healthcare delivery and highlighted several new features.
“Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre sets a number of firsts, with all facets of primary healthcare under one roof, with Solomon Islands’ first nurse call system for patients to notify nurses when needing assistance, electronic queuing and digital patient record keeping.” Said Minister Toiraena.
The Urban Health Centre is expected to reduce pressure on the National Referral Hospital by bringing essential services closer to families. The facility will also continue services previously provided by Naha Clinic.
The Centre’s birthing component is expected to begin operations in September, subject to completion of preparatory works. It will provide five birthing suites for low-risk mothers and is expected to more than double birthing capacity in Honiara.
The opening also highlighted the ongoing health partnership between Solomon Islands and Australia. High Commissioner Roach said Australia’s support extended beyond construction to equipping the facility, training staff and establishing systems for service delivery.
“Our goal was never simply to construct a beautiful building. Our goal was to help deliver a modern health service that improves people’s lives for decades to come,” Mr Roach said.
He also announced that Australia had approved almost SBD900,000 for a fully equipped ambulance to support the Centre’s operations and emergency patient transport.
The facility will also provide clinical training opportunities for nursing students from SINU and other institutions, further strengthening Solomon Islands’ future health workforce.
By: Steven Kamoa
