BY JOY OFASIA
Minister of Health and Medical Services Morris Toiraena described the development of the Kilufi hospital as a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare services in Malaita Province.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony yesterday at the Kilufi hospital in Auki Malaita,
Mr. Toiraena said the project represents more than an infrastructure upgrade, highlighting it as a commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for the people of Malaita and the wider Solomon Islands.
“This project is more than a new facility, an improvement to the current Kilu’ufi hospital, it is an investment in the health and future of Malaita Province and the country – our women and children who need help when they are sick,” he said.
The minister noted that Kilu’ufi Hospital was originally built by the British Government in 1965 when Malaita’s population was estimated at fewer than 50,000 people.
“Today, the province’s population has grown to nearly 170,000, placing increasing pressure on healthcare services and creating greater demand for hospital beds, skilled health workers and specialised medical care,” he said.
The minister said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is implementing its Role Delineation Policy to make specialist healthcare more accessible in provincial hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara for treatment.
He said the policy also aims to strengthen lower-level health facilities by expanding the range of services they provide, supporting the government’s goal of achieving universal health coverage.
During the ceremony, the minister expressed the government’s appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support of Solomon Islands’ health sector.
He also recognised Japan’s support for public health initiatives, including malaria control, vaccine and cold chain programmes, the Healthy Settings Policy, health workforce training and the Japanese Overseas Volunteer Programme.
Mr. Toiraena said Japan’s contributions demonstrate its enduring friendship and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Solomon Islands.
