A total of 15 babies are born each day at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
This means that each month 460 new babies are delivered at the NRH with 5,500 babies a year.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Pauline McNeil revealed the data as she welcomes the re-opening of work at the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
Mrs McNeil said currently, the NRH delivers 5,500 babies per year or nearly 460 babies every month, while also attending to birthing complications and referrals from the provinces.
She admitted that this puts pressure on bed space, staffing and management of resources.
Given that, she said the Naha Birthing Facility, once completed, will ease some of these pressures given that the Honiara City Council Urban Services does not currently provide birthing services.
“We are pleased to be working closely with the Australian Government through DFAT to ensure the project progresses smoothly and that our stakeholders are regularly informed on progress and status of the project,” she said.
The Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre which is funded by Australia will provide birthing, ante and post-natal care services for women. The redesigned facility includes an emergency operating theatre and will provide eye, dental, pathology, x-ray and ultrasound services, and a community-based pharmacy. A large general-purpose room will provide a flexible space for public and community health initiatives.
According to a joint statement issued by Australia and Solomon Islands Governments states the redesigned 34-bed facility will significantly improve health outcomes for Solomon Islanders by providing high quality care in a modern, durable building.
By FOLLET JOHN
Solomon Star, Newsroom
