Work on NRH’s Comprehensive Medical Center commences following Ground Breaking ceremony

By Timothy Inifiri Jnr

Work on the new Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center (CMC) has commenced following today’s Ground Breaking ceremony at the site which is located at the eastern end of the National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Today’s launch was witnessed by the Honourable Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) His Excellency Cai Weiming, together with Government officials, foreign dignitaries and NRH staff.

The four storey building project which will also include an affiliated Power Center is funded by PRC with work on the project set to be carried out by Chinese Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Group Co ,.LTD.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Sogavare expressed his gratitude towards China for the approximately $19 million SBD state-of-the-art project and added that the new Comprehensive Medical Center will lift the range and quality of medical services available to many Solomon Islanders.

“Among the services that will be provided at the new center will include comprehensive and quality health care services for patients with heart diseases, kidney diseases, prostatic diseases, as well as a highly specialized interventions for non communicable diseases.

“This flagship project between the Government of Solomon Islands and PRC is under themed by a vision to build a facility that would offer highly specialized tertiary clinic services which will have a high level of infection control and prevention adaptability”.

“A vision to offer highly specialized clinical services that would be accessed promptly in the country to reduce overseas medical reforms and save the government millions of dollars, a vision that the facility would be a state-of-the-art comprehensive centre that would promote the best that cleanest and safe workplace for doctors, nurses, allied health staffs and other supporting workers whilst at the same time provide world-class accommodation for our very sick patients”.

“And also a vision towards achieving universal health coverage for the people of Solomon Islands that is aligned to the DCGA’s Policy development in ensuring the best quality health services for our people”, said PM Sogavare.

The Prime Minister also added that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and NRH are also closely monitoring the benefits of traditional Chinese medicines such as acupuncture for alternative treatment with encouraging results as well as it is also a cost-effective method of treatment.

“The government wishes to see the hospital developed into a accredited tertiary care standard hospital with an exception with effective and reliable clinical care services and the Government system in place. The new comprehensive medical center will provide the platform to achieve this goals”.

“MHMS will continue to assist and support the developments of the assistance to ensure delivery of quality and high standard services for the people at the hospital”, he added.

Also speaking during the event Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) H.E Cai Weiming stated that the event is a realization on another long health dream for the people of the Solomon Islands.

“For a long time many Solomon Islanders have been troubled with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases and have longed for a high quality Medical Center and in light of this we decided to help build a Comprehensive Medical Center at the NRH”.

“We Hope and believe that the completion of the Comprehensive Medical Center will bring the medical level of Solomon Islands to a new height, medical staffs will have a more modern and comfortable working environment and the people of Solomon Islands will be able to enjoy High quality medical services.

Ambassador Weiming also added with the project, China will also donate and install 176 sets of medical equipment and instruments including large physical subtraction and geography machines, haemodialysis equipment, Colour Doppler ultrasound diagnostic machines, electric multifunctional hydraulic operating tables and much more.

“I am honoured to serve as the Ambassador to Solomon Islands at a time the pilot relations enters a new era and I believe that with more consulting efforts our relationship will become closer, our cooperation will be better and our friendship will be deeper. Our friendship will set a better example for relationship between China and the Pacific Island countries”, he said.

Meanwhile, with work now beginning, the project is expected to complete on early 2025.