NRH receives a new TB isolation wing donated by the Lee Kwok Kuen Family to strengthen tuberculosis care in Solomon Islands.
The Lee Kwok Kuen Family today officially handed over a new Tuberculosis (TB) Isolation Wing to the National Referral Hospital (NRH), marking a significant contribution towards strengthening tuberculosis prevention, treatment and control services in Solomon Islands.
The handover ceremony was attended by Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) executives, National Referral Hospital staff, and workers from Lee Kwok Kuen Construction.
Speaking on behalf of the Lee Kwok Kuen Family, Mrs. Sophia Lee acknowledged and thanked the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the National Referral Hospital for their close collaboration with Lee Kwok Kuen Construction and its workers throughout the construction of the facility.
Mrs. Lee said the Lee Kwok Kuen Family is humbled and proud to give back to the people of Solomon Islands and believes it is fitting that the facility will serve patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, as well as the healthcare workers dedicated to providing care and services within the facility.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Government, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the National Referral Hospital, and to the people of Solomon Islands for their continued support of the company over the years.
Receiving the new facility on behalf of the Government and the people of Solomon Islands, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Morris Toiraena thanked the Lee Kwok Kuen Family and its staff for what he described as a life-saving gift that will strengthen care for people affected by tuberculosis.
“Today marks an important milestone for the National Referral Hospital and the Ministry as we address the continuing public health burden of tuberculosis across our country. I express my deep gratitude to the Lee Kwok Kuen Family and its association for this generous donation. Your family has been a valued partner of the hospital and the Ministry. You supported the renovation of the Special Care Nursery and the Green Ward, and now you have made this TB Isolation Wing possible.”
The Minister said the handover demonstrated the strength of partnerships between government, families, businesses and communities.
Hon. Toiraena highlighted that the facility supports the Government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that every person can access essential health services without suffering financial hardship.
“These services include health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Universal Health Coverage also requires fair financing, strong leadership and good governance. Most importantly, it requires health equity so that every person, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, can benefit from quality care.”
The Minister noted that tuberculosis remains a major public health concern globally and within Solomon Islands. He explained that managing active TB cases in busy emergency and outpatient departments presents serious risks and practical challenges, particularly when appropriate isolation facilities are limited.
He revealed that TB trends at the National Referral Hospital highlight the growing demand for dedicated services.
“In 2016, the hospital admitted 102 TB patients. By 2024, that number had risen to 245, and in 2025 it reached 255, more than double the number recorded a decade earlier. Despite high bed occupancy and hospital stays averaging up to 45 days, treatment outcomes remain strong. Most encouragingly, hospital deaths have fallen to just one per year in each of the past two years. These results clearly show why a dedicated facility for public awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment is so important.”
He said the new facility will provide an opportunity to enhance treatment services, patient education and rehabilitation, while supporting patients as they safely return to their families and communities. The facility will also contribute directly to the National TB Control and Prevention Policy by providing a dedicated space for national training, research and workforce development.
The Minister further noted that while Solomon Islands’ national TB programme has consistently achieved treatment success rates of between 92 and 96 per cent, the latest epidemiological data remains concerning.
“TB incidence increased from 60 per 100,000 people in 2021 to 123 per 100,000 in 2025, while treatment coverage fell to 45 per cent. This means that more than half of estimated TB cases may remain undiagnosed or untreated.”
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring TB screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services remain accessible to all who need them.
“This facility will serve as a national centre for TB prevention and control, with greater scope for research and continuous improvement. As highlighted at the launch of the National TB Strategy, this facility will help deliver better outcomes for patients, their families and the wider community.”
SOURCE// MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES PRESS RELEASE
