Solomon Airlines has played a major role in enabling a donation of much needed medical equipment to reach the National Referral Hospital in Honiara.
The donation, which includes a vital bacterial incubator, is thanks to the efforts of Brisbane-based medico, Dr Claire Heney along with Brisbane-based Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology staffers, scientist Wendy Jackson and Dr Michael Harrison.
Ms Jackson alerted Dr Heney to the availability of available equipment following the closure of a Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology branch laboratory in Brisbane.
And she in turn contacted Dr Harrison who gladly donated the equipment providing it could be moved within a few days.
Dr Heney promptly contacted Solomon Airlines’ cargo representative in Brisbane, Mr Rob Barton of Aircraft Loaders and Packers, who organised for the close on 400 kilos of equipment to be flown to Honiara where customs clearance and delivery was handled by Sebastian Ilala of the BJS Group of Companies and DHL Couriers.
Honiara-based Rotarians, Sir Bruce Saunders and Wayne Morris also contributed assistance and sponsorship in enabling the shipment, including refrigerators, a water bath, computers, printer, scanner and chairs, to reach the hospital.
Solomon Airlines CEO Brett Gebers accompanied by the airline’s Manager – Commercial, Colin Sigimanu were on hand to supervise the delivery and help with its installation.
The hospital’s Head of Microbiology, Hilda Zoleveke said while most of the equipment will be used in the microbiology section, one fridge will be used to store specimens in the biochemistry lab, the water bath will be used by the haematology section while the computers and printer will benefit everyone.
“The Microbiology lab has transformed and our need for years has been met,” Ms Zoleveke said.
“We have shared fridges with other departments and the incubator, vital for growing bacteria in at a correct temperature and environment, and fridges have been cleaned and are already functioning.
“Thank you to everyone involved for this great help for our Nation.”
