BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE expansion and improvement of the Kilu’ufi Hospital Project through a million-dollar grant funding from Japan’s government will further strengthen the functions of Kilu’ufi Hospital in Aimela, Malaita Province.
A grant of two billion and eleven million Japanese Yen (¥ 2,011,000,000) equivalent to SBD 120 million will be a significant milestone project for the Solomon Islands health sector, especially and more especially for the most populated province of Malaita.
The Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon. Culwick Togamana during the exchange of note address at the grant project signing ceremony noted said the signing was a significant milestone for the Malaita Province struggling health sector.
“The grant under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme will accommodate the emergency medicine and general outpatient service, medical imaging, delivery unit, and operating theatres suite with a central sterilization department.
“The completion of this project, the women folk and expecting mothers in Malaita will have a new birthing unit to welcome their newborn, medical operations will be conducted in a new theatre with upgraded facilities, supported with water and power supply.
“These critical additional facilities will no doubt help to save many lives and deliver quality service needed by our people in Malaita.
“This support to the country’s health sector complements the many infrastructural, economic, and social development assistance provided by the Government and good people of Japan to the Solomon Islands over the past decades,” he added.
He also acknowledges the continuous support from the Government of Japan.
“Your Excellency Japanese Ambassador, Miwa Yoshiaki, on behalf of the Government and the people of Solomon Islands, please allow me to convey our sincere and deepest appreciation to your Government for this important life-changing project.
“This assistance by the Japanese Government is a demonstration of the unwavering friendship between our two Governments and the understanding and awareness of the needs of its people.
“In terms of Going forward, the Solomon Islands Government will continue to work together with Japan to promote and advance matters of mutual interest and further cement this bilateral bond between Japan and Solomon Islands,” he said.
Hon. Togamana noted that improving public service is a government priority with a focus on infrastructural development in the provinces.
“Malaita province forms the largest portion of Solomon Islands population, this comes with much needed critical infrastructure and service delivery in the health sector for the people of Malaita and the country as a whole,’’ Hon. Togamana said.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki also stressed the importance of setting up an improved medical service system in Malaita so its inhabitants can enjoy appropriate medical care in their province without visiting Honiara.
