The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) remain committed to provide health services to the entire nation, with the limited resources at hand.
This was revealed by Under Secretary (US) Health Care, Dr Gregory Jilini during last week’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing on the 2016 Supplementary Bill 2017.
He told the PAC members that the vision of the ministry is for healthy and happy Solomon Islands.
He said the mission of the MHMS is stated in the strategic plan, which is to pursue health services in 10 hospitals and more than 300 clinics in the country.
He also revealed that there are more than 2500 health staffs working in the field that the ministry rely on to deliver adequate health services.
Dr. Jilini emphasised on the plan and policy of MHMS to upgrade level of services at various health facilities in the country.
Thus, he said to define services at different levels, to avoid people travelling long distances for medical treatment or health care services.
He went on to say that ministry restructuring itself to realign with various functions in its divisions and departments to address the health needs of the country.
He further revealed that ministry is reviewing some of its legislations to improve health care, adding that few of these are medical and dental practitioners act, health service act and pharmacy and poison act.
However, Dr. Jilini said MHMS face a lot of challenges to achieve its goals, seeing that 40% of health facilities and staff houses need major repair, which resulted in some health centres were closed.
But he revealed that ministry continue to strive for normal operation of the National Referral Hospital (NRH), despite the excessive costs.
By AATAI JOHN
