During last week, the National Referral Hospital [NRH]’s Medical Laboratory installed a new biochemistry analyser.
The installation of the analyser replaced the old one which was in use for more than 10 years.
The biochemistry analyser is a machine that tests for kidney, liver, heart, sugar, gout and other body chemistries.
The NRH Chief Executive officer [Acting], Dr Rooney Jagilly, was reported saying he was pleased about its installation.
“With the current increase of life styles diseases in the country, the availability of the biochemistry analyser will enable diagnosis of diseases for immediate treatment,’’ he said.
The purchasing of the analyser was part of the SIG’s government tender CTB48/2016 and Premier Biomedical Engineering Limited of NSW, Australia the successful bidder.
Meanwhile, another one bench top analyser for Taro hospital was also installed recently.
In Malaita, Morris Misipoe, a senior health officer at Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita raised concerns about the increase in mentally ill patients at the hospital.
Morris Misipoe (quoting the Solomon Star) said admissions of mentally ill patients spiked this month and were significantly higher than admissions earlier this year and on the same dates last year.
He said most of the patients were young adult males who had a history of using marijuana or other drugs.
Mr Misipoe says almost all beds in the male psychiatric ward were occupied.
He said it was troubling that there were more individuals who need care, but there was limited space to accommodate them.
There are not enough beds here to accommodate all these patients, and we are also aware that there are still some mentally ill people out there in the public,” he said.
It is sad to see most of these patients are young people, It just shows the unhealthy lifestyle that most young people are living today.”
Mr Misipoe said community leaders and the government should do more to address this issue.
Also reported in the Solomon Star was a disturbing article regarding the rise in cervical cancer cases and claims that the NRH now sees cervical cancer as topping the list of cancers killing people in the country recently.
The report produced by the NRH shows that from 2004 to 2014, the country recorded 303 cases.
The report went on to say that the NRH needs support and commitment from the government level and all stake holders by way of programmes, policies, and monetary support to win the fight against cervical cancer.
It was stressed that the importance of early screening cannot be over emphasized.
“If you have any abnormal symptoms go to the nearest health centre or better still, get your cervix checked even though you feel absolutely well”, the report concluded.
Interplast medical teams, funded by the Australian Government and Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand have been visiting Solomon Islands since 1984 to provide free surgical intervention programs to relieve people of disability.
To date 2,004 consultations and 1,246 life-changing procedures have been conducted.
Another Interplast and reconstructive surgical team from Australia and New Zealand will visit Honiara and Gizo from 17 to 31 August 2017.
The team will be at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara from 18 to 27 and then at Gizo Hospital from 28 – 30 to facilitate plastic and reconstructive surgical services and training.
A statement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services said, “Patients with conditions including cleft lip and palate, scarring from burns, hand injuries and tumours are urged to contact the surgical unit at the National Referral Hospital and Gizo Hospital for an appointment”.
Frank Short
Bangkok, Thailand
