A group of doctors, nurses, and allied health staff from the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in the Solomon Islands are currently participating in specialist training at Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (AHGMU) in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China. This intensive clinical attachment spans from June 26th to September 23rd, 2025, and involves a total of nine staff members undergoing advanced training at the university hospital.
This initiative is part of an agreement forged in 2022 between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) of the Solomon Islands and AHGMU. The arrangement aims to facilitate the professional development of Solomon Islands health staff in super specialist advanced care. This project is funded by Chinese government. According to Dr. George Malefoasi, CEO of NRH, the program is designed to foster critical skills and exposure in key clinical areas.
AREAS OF CLINICAL TRAINING
• Urological Surgery: Led by Dr. Augustine Melly, a surgeon honing expertise in minimally invasive urological surgery, joined by Dr. Florence Fuiramo, a surgical registrar, Mrs. Densy Saohu, a senior operating theatre nurse，and Mrs. Salome Taugata, a senior ward nurse.
• Nephrology (Kidney Care): Dr. Anisha Elisha, internal medicine registrar, along with senior nurse Mr. Brynly Sade, are immersed in training focused on dialysis and bedside care for patients suffering from kidney diseases.
• Medical Laboratory Technology and Nursing: The staff are also upgrading their skills and knowledge in related nursing domains and medical laboratory technology, essential for modern clinical support.
• Emergency and First Response: Dr. Ellison Maneghe, registrar in the emergency department, is participating in acute patient care focused on urological and nephrological emergencies.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TRAINING
This specialist attachment is a strategic step in strengthening the Solomon Islands’ capacity for advanced healthcare delivery. By engaging in hands-on, superspecialist education in partnership with AHGMU, NRH staff are positioned to bring back valuable skills and updated clinical practices that will benefit patients and the health system as a whole.
The initiative reflects the commitment of both the Solomon Islands’ health ministry and AHGMU to ongoing professional development, knowledge exchange, and medical collaboration. Such training programs are pivotal in equipping local health professionals with the competencies needed to address increasingly complex medical cases in their home country.
Meanwhile, the clinical training of NRH staff at Affiliated Hospital Guizhou Medical University is a landmark collaboration that promises to elevate standards of care and broaden the expertise available within the Solomon Islands’ public health system. The focus on specialties such as urology, nephrology, emergency medicine, nursing, and medical laboratory technology demonstrates a comprehensive approach to upskilling the local workforce for better patient outcomes.
