Two volunteer medical doctors from Switzerland began work at Helena Goldie Hospital in July. With the support of SolTuna and National Fisheries Developments Ltd (NFD), Dr. Chantal Ruckstuhl-Dekumbis and Dr. Erhard Ruckstuhl brought with them much needed medical equipment and technology, which they solicited from Switzerland.
Chantal Ruckstuhl-Dekumbis is a paediatric physician who worked at several women’s and children’s hospitals in Switzerland. Her husband, Erhard Ruckstuhl, an internal medicine physician, has worked in several medical centres and ambulance services. Ruckstuhl also taught medicine at the University of Berne.
While staying in Munda for two years, NFD and SolTuna are supporting the doctors’ assignment by providing a fortnightly subsistence allowance.
Since the doctors decided to volunteer at Helena Goldie Hospital, they have been soliciting support within Switzerland for medical equipment to bring to Solomon Islands.
The Swiss army donated 60 hospital beds and a mobile self-contained resuscitation container (mini theatre).
Dr. Erhard’s local ambulance service donated an ambulance. Other medical equipment the Swiss doctors secured include an electrocardiogram, portable ultrasound, spirometer, eye test computer and surgical instruments.
George Tora, Helena Goldie Hospital Secretary, has been helping the community prepare for the pair’s arrival and said: “The community around Noro and Munda is growing and with it so are the community’s medical needs.
“We are truly blessed to welcome Dr. Ruckstuhl and Dr. Ruckstuhl-Dekumbis to Helena Goldie. The hospital is thrilled to receive these two professionals, and we are thankful for the ambulance and generous donations of equipment and supplies. Together with the skills and experience of the Dr. Chantal Ruckstuhl-Dekumbis and Dr. Erhard Ruckstuhl, Helena Goldie Hospital will be able to do so much more. It will change lives.”
SolTuna is arranging the importation of the four containers of medical equipment and ambulance when they arrive in Noro during August. NFD is providing logistics support in moving the consignment from Noro port to the hospital.
In 2015, the doctors visited Solomon Islands on the recommendation of Dr. Herman Oberly, a long-time friend, who was an orthopedic surgeon specialist at the National Referral Hospital during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Mr. Oberly first suggested that the two doctors consider serving the community in the Western Province, rather than retire.
