Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province on Wednesday this week received a brand new vehicle from the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to support the National Psychiatric Unit rotational medical service outreach programme in the Province.
This much needed support will improve the hospitals clinical services to psychologically ill patients in Malaita communities in terms of continual care and treatment.
The donation was made in response to a request from the National Psychiatric Unit Manager Stephen Tolomae through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Minister Manasseh Maelanga who sought assistance from the PRC Embassy in Honiara.
The Kilu’ufi Psychiatric Unit is the country’s National Psychiatric Center that serves patients from all over the country with treatment and patient care. Over the years the Center has been struggling to reach out to patients undergoing home care and treatment in their communities due to logistical challenges.
Hon. Maelanga commended the PRC Embassy for the humanitarian donation saying “it will improve the outreach to people who are undergoing home care and treatment of patients in their communities”.
“I on behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands commend the PRC Embassy for this support to the Kilu’ufi National Psychiatric Unit which have been facing transportation challenges for a long time to carry out their work for people with mental health in Malaita Province,” Maelanga said.
He added that the instant positive response to the request by the PRC Embassy demonstrates a true and meaningful friendship between Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic of China.
“Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 2019 and within a period of three years many transformative development projects have been progressed with many more to come,” Maelanga said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming said the Embassy is honored to offer assistance to the hospital, to Malaita Province and to Solomon Islands.
“We always pay extra care to this group of disable people and fully understand the difficulties and challenges met by the Kilu’ufi hospital and the Malaita province and also across the country,” Li Ming said.
“I am sure this support can help improve the conditions of the local hospital and help more patients that can get better treatment and most importantly, this vehicle can help the hospital through its Psychiatric Unit to go to remote areas for the rotation of medical services provided to remote areas in Malaita province,” he added.
Ambassador Ming further said that this cooperation and support will continue the support towards the hospital is a good example and a symbol of our friendship.
“We are also hope that our other projects including the SPG2023 national stadium, SINU school dormitory, that is all tangible outcomes supported by Chinese government and its people. So, we hope our cooperation can go further from strength to strength,” Ambassador Ming said.
Kilu’ufi Psychiatric Unit Manager Stephen Tolomae conveyed the hospital’s gratitude to the PRC Embassy saying they have been struggling for so long to reach to communities to provide the continual treatment to mentally sick patients due to lack of transport.
“Our Unit is indeed a National Psychiatric Unit. It belongs to the whole Solomon Islands. Mentally ill people from the provinces are taken care of at Kilu’ufi and it is our responsibility to provide them with basic care,” Tolomae said.
Malaita Provincial Assembly member Edward Misite’e who was invited to the handing over ceremony conveyed gratitude to the PRC for the generous and timely support to Malaita Province.
“On behalf of the people of Malaita, I am humbled to accept this donation which improve health services to our mentally ill patients.
Arrangements are underway to ship the vehicle to Auki.
– GCU
