The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) yesterday afternoon handed over a new Yamaha 60 horse powered (HP) Outboard Motor (OBM) engine and Yamaha Ray Boat to Atoifi Adventist Hospital in East Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary Health Care and Mr. Layten Jacob, Deputy Secretary Corporate Services handed over the Yamaha OBM and Ray Boat to Dr Zorik Olangi, Medical Superintendent, Atoifi Hospital.
Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary Health Care said this is part of the National Government ongoing support to healthcare facilities in the remote and hard to reach areas and locations. He explained, hospitals in the provinces, like Atoifi hospital, play a critical role in providing secondary health care services. They link primary health care clinics with specialist care at the National Referral Hospital, thus ensuring a continuum of care for all health conditions.
“Atoifi Hospital has been serving the North and Eastern regions of Malaita for many years, delivering both primary and secondary health care services. MHMS is therefore pleased to provide this important logistic support to help strengthen service delivery in areas covered the hospital”, said Dr Jilini.
Receiving the boat and engine, Dr Zorik Olangi, Medical Superintendent, Atoifi Hospital thanked the National Government through MHMS for the timely donation. He said the engine and boat will be used to transport sick patients from areas around Atoifi Hospital and not only will be used for the hospital outreach programs to communities around East Malaita region.
Meanwhile, Atoifi Hospital was established by the Seventh Day Adventist Trans Pacific Union Mission in 1996 in East Kwaio, overlooking Uru Harbour. It is the only hospital owned by the church in the Pacific region and currently serves up to around 80,000 people from the immediate surrounding communities of East Kwaio, East Are Are, East Fataleka, East Kwarae and North East Malaita.
