MANY clinics in the Western Province have been operating without proper lighting since their opening many years back and this continues to pose significant challenges for both healthcare workers and patients, it was revealed.
These clinics, often the only source of medical care for remote communities, struggle to provide essential services after dark due to the absence of reliable lighting systems.
Health workers have reported difficulties in conducting procedures, attending to emergencies and ensuring patient safety at night.
“It’s a big problem for us. Without proper lighting, even basic tasks like dressing wounds or delivering babies at night become extremely challenging,” a health worker from one of the affected clinics in Vella La Vella told Solomon Star in an interview.
Villagers relying on these clinics for urgent medical aid have also expressed frustration.
“We are grateful for the service offered by the clinics, but the lack of lighting is a serious issue. It’s dangerous for us patients and makes the health workers’ jobs very complicated,” one of the villagers said.
The lack of lighting is attributed to various factors, including limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and delays in implementing solar or alternative energy solutions. While some clinics were equipped with basic power systems in the initial years of their operation, these facilities became non-functional.
‘’Now it has become a normal routine for us, especially emergency situations at night. We only use mobile torch and torchlights and this poses great risk to the lives of patients,’’ a nurse in one of the clinics in South Vella said.
‘’We are just confused as to when will the responsible authorities address this longstanding situation.
‘’We hope the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other responsible authorities are aware of this issue affecting our rural clinics in Vella and other clinics like those in Rannoga and other islands,’’ the concerned nurse said.
The number of calls for urgent action to address this issue are growing.
Community leaders and healthcare advocates are urging the national government and development partners to prioritise investing in sustainable lighting systems for rural clinics.
They suggested the installation of solar-powered systems that can provide reliable and cost-effective lighting for clinics.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
