THIS is the time of year my fellow countrymen come to Solomon Islands in order to honor those who served and those who did not return home.
The commemoration service at the WWII American Guadalcanal Memorial and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s visit to where her father’s PT boat was sunk are reminders of our shared history with you, the people of Solomon Islands.
My family has strong ties to Solomon Islands as well. My mother’s 17 year old brother, William Moore Stack, was lost at sea when his ship the USS Quincy CA-39 was destroyed during the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942. Iron Bottom Sound is his final resting place as his remains were never recovered.
My mother, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins have deep ties to your country today born from their loss 81 years ago.
Since my first visit 19 years ago my family, the Stack family, has supported education and healthcare capacity building at the National Referral Hospital. It is our way to collectively build ties with the people of Solomon Islands today.
With initial assistance from WWII veterans and their families, we started a training partnership with the doctors and nurses at NRH in order to establish endoscopy services.
That small start, initially requested by Dr Douglas Pikacha, has expanded thanks to our joining the Australian and New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association (ANZGITA).
Today endoscopy procedures and gastrointestinal consultations at NRH are provided by a team of competent and diligent doctors and nurses in a state of the art endoscopy unit.
Solomon Islanders no longer need to travel off island in order to get this type of care. Solomon Island doctors and nurses are now sharing what they are learning about gastrointestinal diseases in Solomon Islands as they publish scientific papers, give talks and share what they are learning with other Pacific Island medical professionals.
The ANZGITA training team visits twice a year. We will be in Honiara the last week in August and look forward to working with our peers at NRH once again.
The challenges medical professionals in Solomon Islands face are frustrating and daunting as they provide care despite shortages in medical supplies, medicines and face limited options for advanced medical training.
The ANZGITA Solomon Islands Endoscopy Partnership is a model on how committed training partnerships can lead to sustainable improvements in care. Our Solomon Island team should be proud of their accomplishments.
The Stack Family, my family, is not a famous family. Together we took a loss and turned it into one small win in Solomon Islands.
On each visit to your country, I stand by the sea edge and I remember who brought me to this country for the first time but it is the modern day challenges in addressing healthcare that keeps me coming back.
The Stack family believes in forging strong modern relationships with your country as a way to remember. In doing so we look forward with you.
Dr Eileen Natuzzi
Solomon Islands Co-country Coordinator ANZGITA
