PREMIER of the Central Province Stanley Manetiva has acknowledged Prime Minister Sogavare and his Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement for the assurance on redevelopment of the Tulagi Hospital.
Sogavere in his nationwide address last week said that for they will upgrade the Tulagi Hospital to a fully-fledged general hospital.
Manetiva said this is a long time waiting for Central Province on this hospital infrastructure upgrade and on behalf of his people would like to thank the National Government for their commitment.
“As premier I would like to thank the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to respond to the Provincial communications in person with a high level executive delegation led by Permanent Secretary McNeil to Tulagi for the 1 day joint consultations.
He also thanked his provincial health director, provincial secretary and team for their collaboration and positive outcome during the one day joint consultations on Tulagi.
“Currently it is notable that our referral cases have been very high due to lack of specialized support services for the doctors on the ground for diagnosis purposes, and most of the time doctors cannot advance their patient treatments and health-care due to lack of basic specialized services on the ground.
“Things got complicated when referrals have to be done under emergency circumstances whether the weather is calm, rough, rain or sunshine, day or night.
“We acknowledge the good Lord for his protection and guidance during such times for the provincial health workers,” he said.
Manetiva further acknowledged the Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil for her assurance that work leading up to the actual project will commence as soon as possible on the current site as part of phase 1 immediate redevelopment and major uplift of the current hospital infrastructures.
“I as Premier and the head of the executive government would like to assure the Health Ministry of the Provinces commitment to provide 15 FTE Lands under the Smoke Hill Subdivision for Health Residential Houses for Nurses and Specialized Support Staff for the redevelop Hospital.
“It is our commitment to provide line ministries with seconded staff to the province land and for the ministries to construct their residential houses for their seconded staff.
“This will be formalized with the Ministry of Health once the May Lands Board approve the distribution quotas for the Smoke Hill subdivision.”
The premier has directed the Provincial Planners and Lands Officer including the Provincial Director Health Services and his team to commence further consultations for the relocation of current houses and other infrastructures within the hospital current site.
“Once all is clear on site and as said by the Prime Minister in his weekly address to the Nation work will soon commence,” he said.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
