MP HOU HANDOVERS NEW CLINIC STAFF HOUSE TO TAWARO COMMUNITY

The Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency, Hon. Rick Hou, on July 1, 2026, officially handed over yet another newly completed clinic staff house to the people of Tawaro Community, aimed at addressing accommodation challenges faced by nurses at the Tawaro Clinic.

This was just four days after the handover of the Tarapaina Clinic Staff House on 26 June 2026, reflecting the Small Malaita Constituency (SMC) office’s commitment under the leadership of Honourable Hou, who is the current Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, to strengthening healthcare services across Small Malaita by providing decent accommodation for nurses and other medical staff.

The Tawaro staff house was funded by the national government through the 2025 CDF budget, with a total contribution of SBD $63,000 in the form of building materials from the Small Malaita Constituency Office, as part of the constituency’s ongoing commitment to improving essential health infrastructure and supporting frontline health workers serving rural communities.

The Tawaro community contributed timber and voluntary labour, demonstrating a strong partnership between the constituency office and the community in delivering essential rural infrastructure.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Hon. Rick Hou said the project reflects his commitment to strengthening healthcare services across Small Malaita by providing decent accommodation for nurses and other medical staff.

He noted that the staff house will help address the accommodation challenges faced by nurses at Tawaro Clinic, improve staff retention, and contribute to more reliable and accessible healthcare services for surrounding communities.

Hon. Hou expressed his appreciation to the Clinic Chairman, project contractor, community leaders, church leaders, landowners, and the people of Tawaro for their cooperation and support throughout the implementation of the project.

He encouraged the clinic management and the local community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring it is properly maintained so that it continues to benefit health workers and the community for many years.

Speaking on behalf of the Tawaro Clinic Chairman and the people of Tawaro community, Mr. Fred Daoburi thanked Hon. Rick Hou and the Small Malaita Constituency Office for responding to one of the community’s priority needs.

He acknowledged that the new staff house will significantly improve the welfare of nurses and strengthen the delivery of health services to the people of Tawaro and neighboring communities.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Brown Honimae, said the Tawaro Clinic serves a catchment population of more than 4,000 people, making it one of the most important health facilities in the area.

He encouraged the catchment communities to continue working closely with the Constituency Office in identifying and delivering priority development projects, noting that lasting development can only be achieved through strong partnerships between the community and the constituency.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), John Misite’e, congratulated the SMC office and the communities on yet another milestone achievement.

He said that such commitment and leadership reflect the effective use of CDF as its intended purpose, ensuring the impact touches rural lives.

PS Misite’e also thanked the constituency officers for their tireless efforts in implementing the CDF program and ensuring that projects are delivered and reach the intended beneficiaries.

“This is a worthy investment. The support by the constituency office in strengthening healthcare services across Small Malaita is important, and on behalf of the ministry, I would like to thank the constituency office for your continued support in improving health services in the constituency,” he said.

He further commended Tawaro and its surrounding communities for their continuous support to their MP and towards the development aspirations of their constituency.

He said the handing over of the project is a manifestation of true partnership in development.

He also acknowledged landowners and families in Tawaro for their understanding and continuous support in allowing their land to facilitate such important development projects.

CDF is the financing component of the SIG Constituency Development Program, a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders. The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.

Cutting of the ribbon by Honourable Hou, Nurse in-charge, clinic Chairman and a community representative.

The newly handed over Tawaro clinic staff house.

During the dedication of Tawaro Clinic Staff House by Fr. Patric Mwaki.

Dedication of Tawaro Clinic Staff House by Fr. Patric Mwaki.

Some of the community members during the program.

– MRD Press