Dear Editor – Some months ago I used my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com- to appeal for a doctor for the Helena Goldie Hospital and I am now pleased to learn that the hospital has successfully recruited a doctor for the 68-bedded second level care hospital situated in Munda in the Western Province.
The hospital was established in 1903 by Methodist Missionaries, and is owned by the United Church in the Solomon Islands.
The hospital is responsible for 15 clinics in Zone 3 of the Western province but also provides for the health care of patients in Choiseul as well.
Providing health care for over 26,000 people and with a fast growing population the hospital is under increasing pressure to provide effective services and urgently needs to recruit additional nurses.
The hospital works in close cooperation with the Western Provincial Health Services and with the national Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Currently, the hospital is operating with financial assistance from the Solomon Islands Government, overseas church partners and ‘friends’ of the Helena Goldie Hospital.
According to a recent media statement, the Director of Nursing, Mr Andrew Talokana, said nurses working at the hospital are directly employed and paid by the United Church Solomon Islands Health Development Fund but the practice has become very expensive for the church and, “for the Church to continue footing their employment it is time for the government to recognise this situation,” he appealed.
Given the very obvious important health services being undertaken by the hospital to a huge population, including Caesarean section operations, amputations, gynaecology operations, other general surgery work, imaging services, pharmacy work and providing blood transfusion facilities.
It is hoped the Solomon Islands Government will favourable consider aiding the hospital with added funding to facilitate the hiring of additional nursing staff.
Yours sincerely,
Frank Short
www.solomonislandsinfocus.com
