Dear Editor – According to a news bulletin on the SIBC on 28 June 2016, the lack of fresh water supply is a major challenge for patients and workers of Tingoa Mini Hospital in Renbel Province.
The news item read, “Tingoa Mini Hospital Nurse, Commins Tada told SIBC News, the water shortage is so severe that doctors have to prematurely send a number of admitted patients home earlier than expected.
“The place needs more water tanks to supply water and when we have a lot of patients but no water, we cannot admit patients but only those in a critical situation.
“We usually send home those who may need admission but with treatment and they would have day cares at home.”
The isolation of Rennell, which lies 236 kilometres (147 mi) south of Honiara and 1,900 kilometres (1,200 mi) north-east of Brisbane, contributes to the cost of shipping supplies, including water tanks, to Tingoa but hopefully the Member of Parliament for Rennel Province will be able to assist the hospital, given the reported critical state the water shortage has affected the treatment and care of patients.
I do know that the Provincial Government is tasked with providing health, education, transport, power, water and other basic services and, on last estimates, is funded with about $128,000 per month from the Central Government.
If either the HMember for the Province is unable to immediately aid the Mini Hospital with the provision of additional water tanks, there could be the possibility of help forthcoming from the Rural Development Programme, initiated in 2013, albeit essentially set-up to provide a partnership with private partners and farmer groups.
In the interim, , Mr Tada says, the Tingoa Mini hospital Administration and Management office is seeking assistance to alleviate the current water shortage.
Should the hospital administration be unsuccessful in alleviating the water shortage, I am prepared to make an offer, however, and I will co-fund the purchase of a first water tank for the hospital if others in the Solomon Islands will be prepared to join me in helping with the additional number of tanks the hospital administration determines is required to alleviate the crisis and allow for patients to receive the hospital care and attention they are presently deprived of receiving due to the reported shortage of water.
If willing to join me, please write to me via the link on my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com.
Frank Short
Former police commissioner
Bangkok, Thailand
