GUADALCANAL Provincial Health Authorities are being urged to provide an explanation as to the closure of the Tamboko Clinic in North West Guadalcanal so that it can reopen.
It was reported that the clinic is not operating according to its normal service schedule for a month now, causing frustration to patients and the communities it serves and concerns over its impact on their health.
According to an elder from Pesei Community, Simon Lepo in an interview with Solomon Star this week, since the closure of the clinic, sick people have to travel to nearby clinics and even to Honiara for medical attention.
He said to make the matter worst, the nurses in-charge of the clinic had moved away, leaving the clinic premises empty and properties vulnerable to theft or destruction.
Mr Lepo said people are confused as to the issue behind the poor services at the clinic and its closure.
He said for him, he believes shortage of medical drugs is one main reason behind the closure.
“Before the clinic was closed, there was a public notice pinned up outside stating that the clinic is running out of essential drugs which could lead to its closure in the following month.
“At the moment, sick people have travel to nearby clinics like Visale and Marara or even come to Honiara, which is not safe and very costly for us.
‘’This is very sad to see one of the main services close down. Sick patients, including women, children and people with disabilities, have to look for alternative ways to get medical attention, something that paints a bad picture of the health authorities,” Mr Lepo said.
Mr Lepo urged the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Authorities to clarify to people the cause of the clinic closure and to address the problem.
In response, to the reported closure of the Tamboko Clinic, Guadalcanal Provincial Health Authorities said they were not aware about the closure of the clinic as they did not receive any report as such from the clinic.
They added that they will find out if it is true.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star Honiara
