THE Central Islands Provincial Government has allocated 18 plots of land to build houses for Tulagi Hospital staff.

This initiative will definitely address Tulagi Hospital’s shortage of staff houses, according to the Central Islands Province Premier Michael Salini.

He was speaking at the handover ceremony of renovated hospital buildings under Phase 1 of the Tulagi Hospital Renovation Project and Incinerator Project.

The ceremony was held at Tulagi Hospital compound on Friday 1 November.

“…I am pleased to announce that the province has allocated 18 plots of land at Smoking Hill to address the shortage of hospital staff houses in Tulagi,” Premier Salini said.

Premier Salini said Central Islands Province will continue to fund WASH and health infrastructure projects in communities under its PCDF (Provincial Capacity Development Fund) and WDC (Ward Development Committee) to support the national government in advancing the healthcare sector in CIP.

He highlighted that having a healthy population is a catalyst for increased productivity in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We strongly believe a healthy population is a prerequisite to socio-economic development. Arguably, a healthy population is a catalyst for increased productivity in GDP,” Premier Salini added.

The entire Hospital Renovation Project will be completed in mid-December.

By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE