JAPAN HANDOVER 120 MILLION DOLLARS KILU’UFI HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The SBD120 Million Kilu’ufi Hospital Improvement Project has officially handed over by the Government and people of Japan to the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Auki, Malaita Province, 14 July 2026.

The Prime Minister Honourable Mathew Cooper Wale and Health Minister Honourable Morris Toiraena together with Provincial Government Officials and Kilu’ufi Hospital Director witnessed and received the handover of the project from President of Kitano Construction Cooperation, JICA Resident Representative and Solomon Islands Japanese Embassy His Excellency Keiichi HIGUCHI.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Health Minister Honourable Morris Toiraena shared a brief history of the Kilu’ufi Hospital which was built by the British Government in 1965, more than 50 years ago with probably around 50,000 population or less. Today the population of Malaita has more than tripled and is approaching 170,000. As the population grows the demand on health services in Malaita has grown and the new facility will help improve health care services.

He therefore thanked the Government and people of Japan for the steadfast support to the people of Solomon Islands over the years. He highlighted since the establishment of the two countries diplomatic relations in 1978, the Government of Japan have supported a wide range of health projects and programmes, beginning with the Solomon Islands Malaria Training and Research Institute and extending to other health infrastructure and public health programs.

“To make health care services more accessible to rural Solomon Islanders and reduce the need for referrals to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) some specialist services that are available at NRH must be accessible in provincial hospitals. Some services that are available in hospitals need to be introduced in lower-level facilities so that patients do not have to travel far to receive the care they need”, explained Minister Toiraena.

He further explained, this project is critical for strengthening of general hospital care, while at the same time lay the foundation for future expansion into other general specialist services, in addition to what is currently available. The project includes new out outpatient and emergency department, operating theatre, central sterile services department, birthing suite, medical imaging, pharmacy dispensary and equipment to ensure services can start immediately.

He revealed, the project is in first phase, not the end of improvement work that needs to be undertaken so that Kilu’ufi hospital can become a fully-fledged general specialist hospital.

“The GREAT Coalition is committed to improve other supporting services like laboratory, physiotherapy, biomedical support and new wards to ensure that Kilu’ufi hospital can deliver effective and high-quality care”, said Minister Toiraena.

He noted, the Solomon Islands Government under the GREAT Coalition is committed to ensure that this new facility will be utilised to its full potential and well looked after. The ministry will provide specialist doctors, nurses, and allied health staff to maximize the benefits of the new facility. The Malaita Provincial health budget will also increase to sustain the hospital’s operations and maintenance and trainings for the hospital staff.

He urged and remind the staff of the Kilu’ufi Hospital to take good care of the new facility and ensure patients receive the best possible care.

He concluded by acknowledging the landowner’s past and present of the land where the current Kilu’ufi hospital located, for allowing their land for the establishment and continual improvement of the hospital over the years.

He thanked Kitano Construction Cooperation for successfully implementing the project within the required time frame. Premier of Malaita Province past and present and to the Former Ministers of Health and Permanent Secretary for initiating and prioritizing this project with the Japanese Government and JICA.

Solomon Islands Japanese Embassy His Excellency Keiichi HIGUCHI stated the inception of the project started back in 2019. He acknowledged the collaboration between the construction company, health ministry and Malaita provincial health throughout the construction and to the completion of the project. He stated the Japanese Government and people are proud and honoured to support the project.

Meanwhile, Malaita Health Director Dr. David Danitofea thanked Japanese Government and people for the improvement project and pledges his support to maintain and take good care of the new facility.

Health Minister and Provincial Government Minister arriving at Kilu’ufi Hospital to attend the official opening ceremony

Sharing the keynote address is the Health Minister Honourable Morris Toiraena

Prime Minister Mathew Wale Cooper and the officials led by one of the Kitano Construction Company members during the site visit of the new complex

Malaita Provincial Health Director Dr David Danitofea sharing the welcome address at the event

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Island H.E Keicchi Higuchi sharing his remarks at the event

Prime Minister Mathew Cooper Wale inside the new facility

Officials at the event

Traditional dancers performing at the event

Inside the Kilu’ufi Hospital Improvement facility