Small Malaita hands over a new Tarapaina Clinic staff house to improve rural healthcare and nurse accommodation
The Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency (SMC), Minister Rick Hou, officially handed over the newly completed Tarapaina Clinic Staff House to the people of Tarapaina Community on Friday, 26th June 2026.
The staff house was funded by the Small Malaita Constituency Office through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) program at $90,000.00, in partnership with the Tarapaina community, as part of the constituency’s ongoing commitment to improving essential health infrastructure and supporting frontline health workers serving rural communities.
Community contribution included timber and labour, while the constituency support comprised all hardware materials funded under the 2025 CDF budget allocation.
Tarapaina Clinic serves a population of more than 4,000 people within its catchment area.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Minister Hou said the project reflects his commitment to strengthening healthcare services across Small Malaita by providing decent accommodation for nurses and other medical staff.
“By providing suitable accommodation, we are creating a better working and living environment that will encourage our nurses to remain in our rural communities and continue delivering quality healthcare to our people,” Hon. Hou said.
He noted that the staff house will help address accommodation challenges faced by nurses at Tarapaina Clinic, improve staff retention, and contribute to more reliable and accessible healthcare services for surrounding communities.
Hon. Hou expressed his appreciation to the Clinic Chairman, the project contractor, community leaders, church leaders, landowners, and the people of Tarapaina for their cooperation and support throughout the implementation of the project.
He encouraged the clinic management and the local community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring it is properly maintained so that it continues to benefit health workers and the community for many years.
Speaking on behalf of the Tarapaina Clinic Chairman and the people of Tarapaina community, Mr. Patrick Arahatara thanked Minister Hou and the Small Malaita Constituency Office for responding to one of the community’s priority needs.
He acknowledged that the new staff house will significantly improve the welfare of nurses and strengthen the delivery of health services to the people of Tarapaina and neighbouring communities.
The Tarapaina Clinic Staff House is one of several health infrastructure projects funded under the Small Malaita Constituency Development Programme, demonstrating the constituency’s continued investment in improving the quality of life and essential services for its people.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), John Misite’e, while congratulating the SMC office and the communities on this milestone achievement, acknowledged the commitment and leadership of Honourable Hou in ensuring funds are utilized effectively to benefit his rural communities.
PS Misite’e also thanked the constituency officers for their tireless efforts in implementing the CDF program and ensuring that projects are delivered and reach the intended beneficiaries.
“The support by the constituency office in strengthening healthcare services across Small Malaita is important, and on behalf of the ministry, I would like to thank the constituency office for your continued support in improving health services in the constituency,” he remarked.
He further commended Tarapaina and its surrounding communities for their continuous support to their MP and towards the development aspirations of their constituency.
He said the handing over of the project is a manifestation of true partnership in development.
He also acknowledged landowners and families in Tarapaina for their understanding and continuous support in allowing their land to facilitate such important development projects.
CDF is the financing component of the SIG Constituency Development Program, a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders. The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.
PRESS RELEASE
