Mrs. Carol McDonald (Mammography Specialist) with the NRH Imaging team at NRH
Australian Mammography Specialist Strengthens Breast Imaging Services at Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the National Referral Hospital (NRH), successfully hosted Australian mammography specialist Ms. Carol McDonald for a week-long clinical training and mentoring program from 21–27 June 2026.
The program marks a significant milestone in efforts to bolster breast imaging services and build essential local capacity within Solomon Islands.
Ms. Carol McDonald, who is currently completing a three-month assignment in Vanuatu with the Australian Volunteers Program, generously self-funded her travel to Honiara to support the NRH Radiology Department. Her mission focused on empowering local radiographers with advanced techniques for patient positioning and the production of high-quality diagnostic mammograms.
A pilot NRH breast screening initiative was launched as part of the visit. This new program introduces a structured system for patient registration, documentation, and follow-up. By implementing a formal recall system—where patients are scheduled for follow-up screenings at six-month, one-year, or two-year intervals based on clinical needs—the hospital has taken its first major step toward a comprehensive, organised national breast screening service.
In addition to technical training, Ms. Carol McDonald facilitated discussions on strategies to boost community participation in breast health screenings, and worked closely with interdisciplinary teams to streamline patient care pathways.
Mrs. Loreta Maeohu, speaking on behalf of the NRH imaging department, emphasized the critical nature of this training:
“Training such as this is vital for my team, especially given the rising prevalence of breast cancer in our country. This experience has significantly improved our ability to assess samples and deliver more accurate results.
“We look forward to ongoing collaborations with Radiology Across Borders to continue building our skills.”
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services extends its deepest appreciation to Radiology Across Borders, an Australian-based not-for-profit organisation, for their commitment to improving radiological services in the Solomon Islands.
This partnership highlights the power of international cooperation in specialist healthcare, ensuring the local health workforce is equipped with the modern techniques and systems necessary to provide high-quality care to the people of the Solomon Islands. As capacity and resources grow, MHMS plans to progressively expand the breast screening initiative, aiming for a broader, more sustainable impact on public health.
ENDS///….