Left – Right: Dr Lawrence Diau, HCC Provincial Health Director, H.E Rod Hilton, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Hon. Dr Paul Bosawai, Health Minister, Eddie Siapu Lord Mayor Honiara City Council and Hon. Morris Toiraena Member of Parliament for East Honiara
Reopening of Kukum Area Health Center brings Joy & Hope to surrounding communities
The reopening of the Kukum Area Health Center (AHC) on 14th August 2025 is a testament and joy to the surrounding communities and residents in East Honiara who seek medical care at the facility, which resumes services today Monday 18th August 2025.
The Kukum Area Health Center was closed down for a period of two years due to the deteriorated condition of the building. During this period of closure, the HCC Health Division, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), sought funding and the Australian Government supported the renovation works of over SBD2 million.
In his keynote address at the reopening ceremony, the Health Minister, the Honorable Dr. Paul Popora Bosawai says today marks the return of a vital health facility that serves not only the coverage of the Kukum population but also the surrounding communities, providing healthcare for between 35,000 and 42,000 patients each year.
The Health Minister highlights that for many years there hasn’t been any form of major renovation to the Kukum Clinic and for almost two years the doors of this health center remained closed due to the deteriorated condition of the building.
“This was not an easy period for the community, as many had to travel further for medical care. But today, we can all celebrate the fact that the Kukum Area Health Center is back – renewed, modernized, and ready to once again deliver life-saving services to our people”, said Dr. Bosawai.
Therefore, he says, on behalf of the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), he thanked with the deepest gratitude the Government and people of Australia for their strong and swift response to the Honiara City Council’s call for assistance. Through their generosity of over SBD 2 million dollars that was invested in the renovation works, along with an additional SBD 379,427 worth of brand-new medical equipment that will soon arrive in the country.
“This is a testament to Australia’s enduring friendship with the Solomon Islands and further demonstrates our collective efforts and shared commitment to ensuring that we have a health facility that is safe for our patients as well as for our health workers, who will discharge their duties and deliver health services for our patients in a safe environment, and ultimately the achievement of health and wellbeing of our people”, said Dr Bosawai.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands hails the celebration as marking a significant milestone for the communities around Kukum, who will now have access to the health facility, after almost two years of closure. “This project is one of the first priorities that Minister Bosawai and I discussed after he commenced his new role as Minister for Health and Medical Services last year, and I was very pleased to offer Australia’s support”, said H.E Rod Hilton.
H.E Rod Hilton further highlights other essential support through health infrastructure including construction of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, which is progressing well, the High Dependency Unit at the National Referral Hospital, as well as biomolecular laboratories at NRH, Lata, Taro and Munda, ensuring quality of health care in the provinces and Honiara.
“Through the Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership, we are working hand-in-hand with Solomon Islands to help build a more resilient, equitable and inclusive health system that can address current and future health challenges, and the handover and reopening of health services at the Kukum Area Health Centre is a great example of what we can achieve together through this partnership”, said H.E Rod Hilton.
Both the Health Minister and the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands thanked the locally-owned Super Construction Company and the local workers, for the transformative renovation work to the health facility. This is an example of utilising Solomon Islands systems and processes, and local contractors, creating more opportunities for Solomon Islands companies and more jobs for Solomon Islander workers.
ENDS///
Health Minister Dr Paul Bosawai delivering his keynote address at the event
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Rod Hilton sharing his remarks at the event
The officials cutting the ribbon in-front of the Kukum Area Health Center facility