THE Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Paul Popora Bosawai and Permanent Secretary Mrs Pauline McNeil, MHMS executives and senior staff of the National Referral Hospital and MHMS, this week on Tuesday, along with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands His Excellency Mr. Cai Weiming and senior officials from the Chinese Embassy officially farewelled the 3rd Chinese Medical Team and at the same time welcomed the 4th Chinese Medical Team.
At the brief event, the Chinese Embassy graciously made a donation of Medical Materials worth over SBD$600,000 to the Minister of Health and Medical Services.
In receiving the medicines and medical materials, Health Minister conveyed his deepest acknowledgment and highlighted that “What brings us together here this afternoon is to again recognise the need to make available medicines and basic medical equipment that every healthcare facility needs to have, irrespective of its size. Whether it is a small health facility or a Provincial Hospital, these health facilities must ensure to have vital medicines and basic medical materials and equipment to deal with their patients effectively”
Speaking and in bidding farewell at the event Health Minister Bosawai thanked the 3rd Medical team for their tireless hard work and at the same time officially welcomed the 4th Medical Team.
“Over the past 12 months the 3rd CMT has delivered exceptionally well, using their wealth of knowledge and highly professional clinical expertise to attend to our sick people”.
“They have worked extremely hard with longer hours and along our local team of health workers at the NRH, in the provincial clinics and in our communities. The 3rd CMT members have deeply integrated and participated well during their duration of engagement while at the same time were very keen to transfer skills and knowledge to our local staff. During their time, they have visited numerous of our communities particularly in rural and hard to reach communities in our Provinces including Honiara. Their hearts are in the right place as their compassion, and dedication to serving our people were clearly demonstrated in the last 12 months”.
Health Minister Bosawai further made mention that “the expectation of the 4th Chinese Medical Team that arrived over the weekend and that would replace the 3rd CMT are high, and he is certain that the 4th CMT will go beyond their call of duty, by delivering highly and extremely technical healthcare and services for our people while at the same time help train our doctors, nurses and all our allied health workers in the transfer of skills and capacity enhancement”.
In with “the 4th CMT will have special input in the opening of Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC), assisting the local specialist teams to oversee specialist care at the CMC. The 4th CMT will be relocated from the NRH administration building to the new CMC building to assist and support the local NRH teams in their preparation towards the operational of the Comprehensive Medical Centre”.
The Health Minister conveyed his acknowledgement to His Excellency Cai Weiming for the kind donation of medicines and basic medical materials and further expressed his appreciation for the added health workforce through the Chinese Medical Teams. Health Bosawai stated that without the hard work and tireless efforts of the Chinese Embassy Officials who facilitated the necessary processes required for the CMTs’ mission the added resource and value to healthcare and treatment at NRH and in our Provinces would not have eventuated.
Speaking at the event Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands H.E. Mr. Cai Weiming stated that it is with great pleasure to attend another donation of medicines and medical equipment, and at the same time bidding farewell to the 3rd Chinese Medical Team and welcoming the 4th Chinese Medical Team.
“This batch of medicines and medical equipment were carefully selected to meet the specific needs and conditions of SI. They include Antimicrobial drugs for treatment of various infections; Antipyretic and analgesic drugs for fever relief and pain management; Cardiovascular medications for treatment of hypertension, diabetes and emergency cardiac conditions; Nephrological medications and consumables; Minimally invasive urological surgical instruments; Gastrointestinal medications; Respiratory system medications; Traditional Chinese and acupuncture supplies; Tropical treatment medications; Malaria antigen rapid test kits; and Mosquito repellents, among others. They represent the latest gifts and best wishes from Chinese people to SI people,” said H.E Weiming.
His Excellency Ambassador Cai Weiming further stated that they hoped the donations could help the recently handed over National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center that will play a greater role in providing high-quality medical services to the local population.
“Health is one of the most important sector of our bilateral cooperation since both countries established diplomatic relations in 2019. China is committed to build a community of shared future for mankind. During the past five years, multiple Chinese assistance projects in the field of health and medical services have been implemented, enhancing the medical services in SI, creating more benefits for the local population, and tightening the bonds and friendship of our two countries,” said H.E Ambassador Cai Weiming.
He emphasized when developing relations with Pacific Island Countries including SI, China is committed to the policy of “four full respects”, namely, we fully respect the sovereignty and independence, the will, the national and cultural traditions, as well as the aspirations for strength through unity of PIC. When providing assistance, China never attaches political strings, never imposes rules on others, and never make empty promises. China is here to build, to link, and to share for a better future.
He concluded, by bidding farewell to the 3rd Chinese Medical Team and welcomed the 4th Chinese Medical Team. He acknowledged the hard work of the 3rd Chinese Medical Team, and the enormous support received from the Solomon Islands Government, the Hon. Health Minister, Health Permanent Secretary, NRH Chief Executive Officer and other health workers of the Ministry of Health and the NRH rendered to the 3rd CMT.
“I am sure the 4th Chinese Medical Team will continue to receive your kind help and make further contribution to the cooperation of health sector between our two countries”, said H.E Ambassador Cai Weiming.
HE Weiming concluded, by bidding farewell to the Chinese Medical Team and welcoming the 4th Chinese Medical Team. He acknowledged the hard work of the 3rd Chinese Medical Team, and the support received from SIG, Hon. Health Minister, Health Permanent Secretary, NRH Chief Executive Officer and other health workers of SI to the 3rd CMT.
“I am sure the 4th Chinese Medical Team will continue to receive your kind help and make further contribution to the cooperation of health sector between our two countries”, said H.E Ambassador Cai Weiming.
