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Opposition visits Gizo Hospital to get firsthand information, reports healthcare challenges, while MHMS responds.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) emphasized its commitment to improving healthcare services nationwide. This statement follows a recent visit to Gizo Hospital by the Opposition Group in Parliament, who sought to get firsthand information on what things are like on the ground at the hospital.
Led by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, the group visited Gizo Hospital and observe the challenges faced by both medical staff and patients. During the visit, hospital staff highlighted several ongoing issues, including the malfunctioning X-ray machine, which has been out of service since October 2023. The machine relies on an outdated computed radiography (CR) reader that has become obsolete, making it impossible to repair. As a result, patients needing X-ray services must travel to Munda for scans.
In addition to the X-ray machine, the hospital’s laboratory faces regular disruptions due to malfunctioning equipment. As a result, medical staff often have to perform tests manually, which can delay diagnoses and treatments. Bed linen shortages were also noted, with patients sometimes required to bring their own linens, and in some cases, multiple patients had to share the same bed covers due to insufficient supplies.
Dr. Michael Belande Buin, a senior doctor at Gizo Hospital, expressed concerns about the sustainability of the hospital’s services if these issues remain unaddressed. He highlighted the risk of Gizo Hospital facing similar capacity problems as the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in the future if improvements are not made.
Health Ministry’s Response to Observations
In response to the observations made by the Opposition, the Ministry of Health clarified that the hospital’s X-ray machine has been out of service since October 2023 due to a faulty CR reader. The Ministry explained that replacement parts for the CR reader are no longer available, making repairs unfeasible. To address the situation, a mobile digital X-ray machine was sent to Gizo in mid-2024. However, this machine also became faulty toward the end of 2024, prompting the Ministry to send a second mobile unit in February 2025.
The MHMS explained that mobile X-ray units are designed for lighter, occasional use, such as bedside X-rays, and may not be suitable for the heavy daily demands of a busy hospital. Despite this, the Ministry reaffirmed its plans to purchase a new digital floor-mounted X-ray unit for Gizo Hospital, which would better meet the facility’s needs.
Regarding the laboratory equipment, the Ministry acknowledged ongoing issues with malfunctioning equipment in provincial hospitals. The MHMS noted that efforts are being made to improve biomedical support, ensuring that medical equipment in provincial facilities, including Gizo, is maintained and replaced as necessary.
Opposition Calls for Action
The Opposition MPs, including George Temahua, David Gina, Rick Hou, Daniel Waneoroa, and Derick Manuari,. The Opposition Leader acknowledged doctors and nurses at Gizo Hospital for their commitment in serving the people of Western province despite ongoing challenges.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to be here to see and listen to the challenges and also the recommendations shared by doctors and nurses at Gizo Hospital. This will help us to advocate on your behalf to the Government also to recommend policy that will try to address these issues,” he said.
Commitment to Healthcare Improvements
Despite the ongoing challenges, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that healthcare services across the country meet the needs of all Solomon Islanders. The Ministry stated that it is actively working to improve biomedical support and provide the necessary resources to provincial hospitals, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery across the nation.
