BY NED GAGAHE
The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Paul Bosawai, was joined by Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health, Dr. Lucas de Toca, on a visit to the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, East of Honiara, yesterday morning.
The delegation toured the construction works, which are employing nearly 100 local workers as the building reaches the milestone of being halfway completed.
The Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre, worth SBD250 million (AUD45 million), is still under construction but has already impressed both Minister Bosawai and Ambassador de Toca with its ongoing progress.
Once completed, the facility will not only benefit the residents of Naha but will also serve people from other provinces.
The new centre is set to provide a new benchmark for health care in the Solomon Islands.
The centre will offer new mothers and mothers-to-be access to the very best pre and post-natal care, giving the next generation of Solomon Islanders the very best start possible and easing the pressure on the National Referral Hospital.
Minister Bosawai shared that in Solomon Islands’ culture, many individuals travel to urban centers to live with relatives while seeking access to specialized health care, particularly during labor and delivery.
He expressed his gratitude for the project, acknowledging that the new facility would bring much-needed improvements to maternal and child health services.
“I am confident that once completed, the Naha Birthing Centre will not only serve the residents of Naha but will also support the wider population of Solomon Islands,” Minister Bosawai said.
He also extended his thanks to the people and government of Australia for their support in making this project possible.
“This is a significant physical change in the health infrastructure of Solomon Islands,” he said, referencing the project’s launch with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister.
Minister Bosawai further acknowledged Dr. Lucas de Toca’s visit and praised the contractor, Reeves, for their excellent work in the construction of the centre.
“Today, we have witnessed significant progress. As the Minister for Health, I can confidently say that this facility will continue to save lives, improving health outcomes for many in Solomon Islands,” he concluded.
Dr. de Toca, who oversees Australia’s regional and global health development assistance, expressed admiration for the scale and quality of the building.
“I’m equally impressed by the strong collaboration between Australia and Solomon Islands’ health officials to ensure the centre is equipped with high-quality, purpose-built equipment, and that staff are fully trained and prepared to serve patients when it opens early next year,” Dr. de Toca stated.
“There is clearly a tremendous amount of dedication, effort, and teamwork from both governments, which will ultimately save lives and enhance health outcomes for Solomon Islanders, especially mothers and babies.”
The project is expected to be completed early next year.
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