Health Minister Dr Togamana thank Australian Government for its ongoing support towards the Country’s Health System
Health Minister Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana at the handover ceremony of the High Dependency Unit yesterday afternoon at National Referral Hospital (NRH) thank the Australian Government for its ongoing support towards the Health System of the country.
The Minister Dr Togamana highlighted in his keynote address that Australia not only has supported the country during the pandemic and post pandemic time, but their ongoing investments and strong partnership with the Ministry of Health is very much visible with the ultimate common goal to improve health outcomes.
“The ongoing development of the Naha Birthing Center is an essential investment because with the establishment of this facility and upon its operations, we will witness a very significant relief for the labour and postnatal ward of the national referral hospital and resolve many of our bed management challenges and reduction of referrals”.
“Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, this is a flagship project between our two governments, and I look forward to the officially launching and opening this is new facility once it is completed”, said Dr Togamana.
He added the twinning arrangements with Australian Hospitals of our doctors and nurses and hope with the allied health workers through the Australian Volunteers International (AVI) program, is a great opportunity of the health workforce as this would allow local doctors and nurses to learn new skills and knowledge in managing and caring for sick patients.
He further acknowledged the Australian Government in responding expeditedly to some of health recent, urgent and immediate needs at which, upon requests to the Australian Government, immediately stepped in and responded in a timely manner.
“This included the immediate airlifting of our emergency drugs and supplies, the provision of SBD4.5m to support the Measles and Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity (MR SIA) campaign that will commence in July 2023 and the provision of SBD14.8 million for a second Mass Drug Administration (MDA) round for scabies in our country during the year.
“As the country’s largest and single health donor of health assistance to Solomon Islands, my Ministry is ready to work in true partnership with the Government of Australia to realise our shared common vision to achieving health outcomes but also in fulfilling the efforts and implementation of the current National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031”, said Dr Togamana.
He outlined other supports made by the Australian Government through the improvement of our Bio Molecular Laboratory facilities at the National Referral Hospital, Munda Helena Goldie Hospital and Taro.
“The positioning of our mortuary container fridges at National Referral Hospital, Gizo Hospital, Kiluufi Hospital, Helena Goldie Hospital, Nila Area Health Centre fencing and Solar Power and Staff House at Nila, NRH Generator Automatic Switch Upgrade and of course the establishment of the High Dependency Unit here at the National Referral Hospital”, further outlined Dr Togamana.
“With this partnership, I look forward to our collected efforts, actions and renewed dedication and commitment that we are equally serious about serving the public and saving lives of our people.
I am confident that we will continue to push the boundaries of care and improve healthcare outcomes of our people”, said Dr Togamana.
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence Hon. Richard Marles stated Australia is committing SBD4.4 million to the MHMS to implement the nationwide Measles and Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity, which will cover the immunization of 75,000 children around the country.
“It’s a really important contribution to the health system of Solomon Islands and the health of Solomon Islander”.
“A country is unable to enjoy its full potential without a healthy population, which is why we are so focused in the assistance that we provide to the countries of the Pacific, and to Solomon Islands, on the question of health and on the health system”, DPM Marles said.
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