WORK towards the expansion of Kilu’ufi Hospital has started following the signing of the project’s preparatory survey minutes of discussion between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and JICA last week.
A MHMS statement today said the signing endorsed all discussions, arrangements and agreed roles and responsibilities between the two parties for the project.
It said it also paved the way for the commencement of further preparatory survey, which is proposed to complete in June 2022 and presented to the MHMS by November 2022 to enable construction to start.
“The project aims to improve the function of Kilu’ufi Hospital through expanding the facility to cater for expanded range of improved health services with enough space for storage, staff, patients and visitors.
“This is part and parcel of the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Health to improve health services in Malaita Province and the country as a whole,” the statement said.
Last week’s signing was conducted by MHMS permanent secretary Pauline McNeil and JICA’s Leader of the Preparatory Survey Team Hiraoka Hisakazu.
Mr Hisakazu also outlined the various components of the discussion minutes from project objectives to shared responsibilities and work schedules to those present during the signing.
Mrs McNeil thanked the people and Government of Japan through JICA for the funding and technical support rendered into what she described as a significant milestone in the health sector and a huge life changing project for the people of Malaita.
“Your support will go a long way to serving well the health needs of our people in Malaita Province who form the largest portion of our population.
“With the expansion of health services at Kilu’ufi via this project, improved health services and outcomes for Malaita will also greatly contribute to national health outcomes.
“Though the journey has only just begun, my ministry is fully committed to ensuring this project reaches its completion in a timely manner,” Mrs McNeil said.
She assured Japan that health’s share of responsibilities stipulated in the endorsed documents will be fulfilled to the best of the ministry’s ability and capacity with the support of key partner ministries of the government and the support from the ground led by Dr Rex Maukera, Provincial Health Director, Malaita Province.
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