A NEW digital x-ray machine for body fractures and tuberculosis (TB) is now in operation at the Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda, Western Province.
The machine was donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
Medical doctor at HGH, Hendrick Kaniki told this paper that the x-ray machine has been installed and hence now in operation.
“Arigato to JICA.
“And thank you the Permanent Secretary of MHMS, the ministry still shows up when it really matters,” Dr Kaniki said.
Dr Kaniki said the arrival and installation of the x-ray machine has been a great relief for HGH in terms of patient radiography referrals to the Gizo Hospital.
Now HGH will save money from the referral of patients to the Gizo Hospital for other hospital services.
This is the first time for HGH to have a digital x-ray. The hospital used to have an x-ray machine in early 2000s but it was a film x-ray one.
The film x-ray machine broke down many years ago and hence the donation of the digital one recently by JICA through MHMS.
Dr Kaniki said this digital new x-ray machine will help the hospital properly diagnose patients.
“It’s a very big help to improve our services here. Now we can do proper follow up of patients, especially TB patients and those with fractured bones as we have big industries here like Soltuna, NFD and logging companies around New Georgia Island and also a new international airport coming up soon,” he added.
Dr Kaniki said HGH needed to step up its radiography service as it is one of the services in high demand due to the hospital’s close proximity to those major industries.
He thanked JICA and MHMS for their continuous support to the health sector, especially to church-owned hospitals like HGH. HGH is owned by the United Church.
Dr Kaniki said HGH is situated in a very strategic location and hence its digital x-ray service will definitely touch the lives of rural dwellers.
He said JICA intervened in providing the digital x-ray machine to HGH after the hospital raised concerns about the lack of such machine to MHMS.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
