MHMS responses to Opposition statement on Gizo Hospital

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) would like to respond to the statement made by the Office of the Opposition Leader on their recent visit to Gizo Hospital, that raises a few concerns about primary healthcare needs and the hospital’s laboratory and x-ray machines’ ongoing disruptions. 

In response to the statement, MHMS would like to clarify that the main floor-mounted X-ray Unit in Gizo Hospital, which uses computed radiography (CR), became faulty in October 2023. This Xray Unit comprises of two components: the Xray machine hardware (Xray table and Xray tube) and a computed Radiography (CR) reader for scanning the images on to a computer.

See Opposition Statement: https://sbm.sb/opposition-mps-visit-gizo-hospital/

However, the CR reader component of the Xray unit became faulty in October 2023, affecting X-ray services in Gizo.  Attempts to fix the reader were unsuccessful, due to the fact that the CR reader and its parts are now obsolete and no longer manufactured.  This is due to the fact that most Xray units worldwide are now using digital technology to capture and process Xray images.

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Shortly after, in mid-2024, a digital mobile X-ray machine was sent to Gizo from NRH Medical Imaging Department to alleviate the issue. X-ray services were restored until the mobile machine became faulty again towards the end of 2024. 

A second mobile Xray unit was then sent down from NRH Medical Imaging department in February of this year, 2025.

National Referral Hospital, Medical Imaging Department, Chief Radiographer, Ms. Loretta Maeohu explained, “There has been ongoing consultation between Shimadzu engineers and NRH biomedical engineers with regards to repairing the faulty mobile Xray machine.

“NRH Biomed officer, Douglas Rerese who has planned to go on provincial duty travel, as part of his ongoing support to the Provinces is now confirmed to fly down to Gizo tomorrow to set up the mobile X-ray machine that was recently sent down and also to repair the faulty one”, said Ms. Maeohu. 

She further explained that Mobile Xray machines are made for light work, such as bedside x-rays in the ward, and not for intense daily use. Also, mobile Xray machines use batteries which can get depleted faster with frequent use.

Unfortunately, this is one of the faults that was initially found with the mobile machine that was sent down to Gizo in 2024.Consequently, over time, mobile Xray machines are prone to wear and tear.

Learning from these lessons and going forward, the best option for the MHMS would be to purchase a digital floor mounted Xray unit for Gizo Hospital as well other Provincial Hospitals because it serves a large population but more so in keeping up with the global practices and standards.

Meanwhile, despite the ongoing criticism from the public, MHMS remains committed to ensuring healthcare services across the country meet the needs of all Solomon Islanders. Biomedical support for our provincial hospitals is one of those needs. 

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Opposition MPs visit Gizo Hospital

THE Parliamentary Opposition Group has visited the Gizo Hospital as part of its civic outreach program in Western province.

Director of Gizo Hospital Dr Dickson Boara welcomed the Opposition Group members as they toured the hospital and engaged in discussion with nurses, doctors and patients on the challenges faced at the hospital.

A visit to the laboratory department, doctors and nurses expressed the struggles encountered dealing with frequent lab machine breakdowns and having to do tests manually.

The x-ray machine in Gizo Hospital is currently out of order despite requests for a new one and patients needing one must travel to Munda.

Bed space, lack of basic clinical support and equipment’s remained an ongoing problem.

However, doctors and nurses have attested to improvements in the availability of medical drugs compared to past years although it still remains an issue.

The immediate need for primary health care and basic health services have also been highlighted.

Lack of linen for bed covers forcing patients to bring their own and at most time’s more than one patient had to use same bed covers just because requests to Honiara fell on deaf ears.

Doctors and nurses have highlighted that the business as usual way of doing things need to be changed and it is a systematic problem.

“Five years down the line Gizo Hospital will be facing bottlenecks like the NRH if there is no priority in improving services in hospitals not only in Gizo but elsewhere around the country,” Dr Michael Belande Buin stressed.

Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has 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.

Gizo Hospital Director Dr Boara said his team greatly acknowledged the visit by the Parliamentary Opposition Group.

Other Opposition MPs that accompanied the Opposition Leader includes; MP for West New Georgia/Vona Vona Constituency Hon George Temahua, MP for South New Georgia Rendova & Tetepare Hon David Gina, MP for North Malaita Hon Daniel Waneoroa, MP for Small Malaita Hon Rick Hou and MP for West Makira Hon Derick Manuari.

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