BY CHRIS ALEX

After more than six months of closure, Tamboko Clinic in North West Guadalcanal will reopen its doors to the community in coming days, marking a significant step forward in restoring vital health services to the area.

According to Guadalcanal Provincial Health Director Ray Seleso, the clinic was forced to shut down in January 2025 due to a combination of management and social challenges.

During the closure, the facility suffered further setbacks, including the theft of its solar power system and damage to its water pump, leaving the clinic abandoned and unusable.

In April 2025, Director Seleso and his family took the initiative to begin the clean-up process, expressing hope that health services could resume once critical infrastructure such as electricity, water, and staffing was restored.

“It has taken time, but we are now in a position to reopen. A new solar system is in place, the water supply has been restored, and a dedicated staff member has been assigned,” said Seleso.

The clinic’s reopening comes with the appointment of Registered Nurse, Winter Sino and his wife, who will be based at the facility. Their presence marks a renewed commitment to serving the people of Tamboko.

Responding to community concerns about why Tamboko was prioritised, given its previous social difficulties and limited local support, Seleso explained that their responsibility is to the majority especially the most vulnerable, who still rely on essential health services.

He is confident that with genuine community engagement, support for the clinic will grow.

“My people of Guadalcanal have always shown resilience and a strong sense of communal spirit, and it is in these values that we continue to place our trust,” said Seleso.

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