BY JOY OFASIA
The Government of Japan has officially handed over newly constructed hospital facilities and medical equipment to the Solomon Islands Government, marking a major milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two countries in the health sector.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keichi Higuchi, described the occasion as a significant achievement in the cooperation between Japan and Solomon Islands, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to improving healthcare services in the country.
“It is a great honour to stand here today. This handover ceremony marks another significant milestone in the history of our cooperation between Solomon Island and Japan in the health sector,” he said.
“On behalf of the Government of Japan and the people of Japan, I officially hand over these buildings and medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the people of Solomon Islands,” Ambassador Higuchi said.
The project, which began in 2019, was funded through a Japanese grant of approximately 2.3 billion Japanese yen (around SBD120 million) to expand and modernise Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province.
Ambassador Higuchi said the investment was made in response to the growing healthcare needs of Malaita, the country’s most populous province, where Kilu’ufi Hospital has long served as a key regional referral hospital.
The newly completed facilities include a clinical services building and a maternity building covering approximately 2,000 square metres. They are equipped with modern operating theatres, advanced medical imaging equipment and improved emergency care services aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare available to the people of Malaita.
Ambassador Higuchi said while construction officially commenced following the project’s approval in 2019, the development took nearly seven years from its inception to completion.
He acknowledged the contributions of current and former leaders, officials and partners who played key roles in bringing the project to fruition.
Among those recognised were former Ministers for Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua, Dr Culwick Togamana and Dr Paul Popora Bosawai; former JICA Chief Representatives Motoyuki Uegaki and Takeshi Watanabe; and former Japanese ambassadors Shigeru Tohyama, Yasuhiro Morimoto and Yoshiaki Miwa.
Ambassador Higuchi also paid special tribute to the late Ambassador Yasuhiro Morimoto, who passed away while serving in Solomon Islands, and the late former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani, acknowledging their contributions during the project’s early stages.
He also commended Kitano Construction Corporation for delivering the project to a high standard, thanking company president Mr Kitano, who attended the ceremony. The ambassador noted that many construction materials were imported from Japan and highlighted Mr Kitano’s role as Honorary Consul of Solomon Islands in Japan.
Describing the new facilities as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands, Ambassador Higuchi said the project reflected both countries’ commitment to the Healthy Islands Vision and the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“This hospital represents the enduring friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands. It reflects our shared commitment to the “Healthy Islands Vision” and Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
He urged the Solomon Islands Government to ensure the hospital is adequately maintained and staffed so the investment continues to benefit future generations.
“Shared success requires ownership,” Ambassador Higuchi said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the hospital’s facilities and ensuring sufficient numbers of doctors, nurses, midwives and support staff are available to provide quality healthcare services.
He concluded by thanking Solomon Islands workers, Japanese partners, Fukunaga Architects-Engineers, Kitano Construction Corporation and the JICA Solomon Islands Office for their dedication in completing the project on schedule.
