Health meets Guizhou Health Commission mission team and unveils two centers of medical cooperation at NRH.   

The Health Minister, together with Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Executive and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) Executive and Heads of Departments on Wednesday 11 October met with the Guizhou Health Commission mission team and unveiled two medical cooperation at the NRH.

Health Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana in his remarks at the unveiling of the two centers of medical cooperation warmly welcome the Guizhou Health Commission mission team on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Health Executive to Solomon Islands.

Dr. Togamana said, the delegation’s short visit and time will give them the first-hand information and also provide them with the opportunity to have a perspective of the context and environment upon which their very highly qualified doctors and specialist are work in, and who have sacrificed their professional time, and dedicated efforts in serving the people of Solomon Islands.

Dr. Togamana told the visiting team that the NRH is a medium-sized hospital according to international standards with just under 500 beds. He explained the capacity of the hospital, the services the hospital provides and the hospital’s workforce.

The Health Minister highlighted the National health Strategy 2022 to 2031 a shared strategic visionary pathway for all stakeholders and NRH is a critical service provider. The Ministry of Health wants to see the development and improvement of the NRH. It aspires for the hospital and its partners to develop the hospital into an accredited tertiary care standard with an effective and reliable Clinical Care Government system in place.

“The Ministry of Health will continue to assist and support these developments of the systems and processes to ensure delivery of quality and high-standard services for the people at the hospital.

“In alignment with the systems upgrading the Ministry of Health Executive has endorsed a proposed by the NRH management and Head of Department for a subspecialist 10-year training plan for doctors, nurses and other allied health staff.

Health Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana and Guizhou Provincial Health Commission, Director General, SUN Fa unveiling the Minimally Urological Surgery Center plaque.

“Today I understand that the Guizhou Health Commission and the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University are already the first partner institutions overseas showing the potential to support our vision to upgrade the specialized skills and technology of our local doctors, nurses and allied health staff. For this I am indeed very thankful”, said Dr Togamana.

Minister Togamana said he understands that Guizhou Health Commission and the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University are already the first partner institutions overseas showing the potential to support our vision to upgrade the specialized skills and technology of our local doctors, nurses and allied health staff. For this, the Minister was indeed thankful.

“Guizhou Health is an important partner in improving health systems at NRH and provinces. Recently we signed a MOU (dated 4th October 2023) to assist the SIG through the MHMS to further develop the level of expertise and care in three different services, acupuncture and traditional medicine, urology and assistance for the development of other services like nephrology, cardiology and medical laboratory technology”, said Dr. Togamana.

“Since the MOU, almost 2 months ago, the acupuncture clinic has become very popular servicing both sick and well people. The minimal-invasive urological centre has been identified as a space to operate in the OT and the urology clinic. The establishment of these specialised services clearly indicate that my Ministry and NRH in partnership with the Affiliated Hospital Medical University is progressing in the right direction”, said Dr. Togamana.

Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil and LI Haiyang, Member of the Party Committee, GMU unveiling the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center plaque.

He added the technical cooperation between the two countries is on the right path in building the country’s capacity to transform into a new and higher medical technology and care service delivery. Whilst the details of running are to be discussed with PRC government, the MHMS is already confident that it will be successful.

“As our colleagues at NRH discuss the details with your team, let me assure you that my PS and Executive will continue to support and assist the success of this MOU and the projects that result from it”, said Dr. Togamana.

Guizhou Provincial Health Commission. Director General, SUN Fa said his mission team are grateful for the invitation and coordination arrangements from the MHMS and NRH for the visit.

Director General SUN outlined during this trip, they met the members of China Medical Team in Solomon Islands who are from Guizhou Province. Mission team saw the CMT team members were all in high spirits and worked harmoniously with the local medical staff to jointly protect the health of the people of Solomon Islands and achieve great results.

In photos: (left-right) LI Haiyang, Member of the Party Committee, GM, Health Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana, Guizhou Provincial Health Commission, Director General, SUN Fa and Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil.

“I feel very gratified and proud for them to have achieved such solid and impressive results. On behalf of the Guizhou Provincial Health Commission, I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and National Referral Hospital and the people of Solomon Islands as well as the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands.

Thank you for your strong support to China (Guizhou) medical team. With your support, they are working here smoothly with a deep sense of honor and achievement, which will deepen the medical and health cooperation between the two countries and the profound friendship between the two peoples”, said Director General SUN.

“The unveiling ceremony for the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center and the Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery Center co-hosted by NRH and AHGMU, which marks the beginning of medical cooperation between China and Solomon Islands and means that the cooperation memorandum we signed is becoming reality step by step, and also marks that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of health has been elevated to a new level.

“This is a testimony of our friendship and a commitment to common development, and a concrete measure taken by the health systems of the two countries to jointly implement the joint Statement issued by the two governments on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era. Even though we have a long way to go for cooperation, we will keep exploring and striving for our common goals. We will continue to dispatch China medical teams to Solomon Islands and strengthen guidance and support for the medical teams aiming to build these two cooperation projects. We will make unremitting efforts to achieve the development of the health undertakings of both countries with practical exchanges and cooperation between the two parties by exploring and leveraging mutual advantages”, said Director General SUN.

Meanwhile, Economic and Commercial Counsellor Ms. Gong Rui of the Chinese Embassy said the unveiling of the two centers of medical cooperation program is another fruit of the joint efforts of both countries.

“With the dedication and cooperation, I believed that there will be great improvement in clinical services and enhancement of the capacity and capabilities in the near future”, said Counsellor Gong.\

Health Physio Therapy Rehabilitation Director. Mrs. Elsie Toloafiri speaking during a discussion session with the Guizhou Health Commission mission team visit to NRH.

Dr. Rooney Jagilly, Head of Surgery, NRH speaking during the Guizhou Health Commission mission team visit.

MHMS Press