SWISS medical professionals Dr Thomas Furrer and his wife Ruth have voluntarily shared their expertise with the medical staff at Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province.
The couple, who arrived in Solomon Islands in 2023 under the Ruckstuhl 4 Charity Organisation, spent six months offering specialised services to support the local healthcare system.
Dr Furrer is a seasoned medical doctor who worked closely with local physicians, while Ruth, a nurse, primarily assisted nurses in the Labour Ward.
Their support is part of Ruckstuhl 4 Charity’s mission to provide medical aid to hospitals in Solomon Islands.
Ruckstuhl 4 is a Switzerland-based charity organisation dedicated to raising funds and sourcing medical equipment to improve healthcare in Pacific island nations.
In an interview with Solomon Star, the 67-year-old Dr Furrer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work in Solomon Islands.
He said he and Ruth had valuable experience during their time at Kilu’ufi Hospital and in Malaita Province.
Dr Furrer was particularly impressed by the resourcefulness of local doctors, who work dedicatedly with limited medical equipment.
With his 35-years of experience as a medical doctor, Dr Furrer praised the local medical staff for their skills in performing surgeries with available limited resources.
“It’s fascinating to see how local doctors manage and perform such good work, especially in the operating theatre despite the challenges they face,” he said.
Dr Furrer also highlighted the urgent need for better laboratory facilities and diagnostic machines, particularly for heart disease detection, which he said remains a challenge in Solomon Islands.
As a gesture of appreciation for the hospital’s support, the couple donated several medical supplies to Kilu’ufi Hospital.
These included vacuum caps for deliveries, surgical instruments, scissors and other essential equipment.
“These are small contributions to help the hospital,” Dr Furrer said.
The couple have emphasised the importance of ongoing support for medical infrastructure in the country, including the need for reliable diagnostic tools and consistent stock of medications.
Dr Furrer and Mrs Furrer expressed their gratitude to the management, staff, doctors, nurses and patients of Kilu’ufi Hospital for their warm reception and support during their stay.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
