New diabetic centre, specialist clinic and nurse hostel, thanks to Taiwan

BY ELLISON.T.VAHI

Second from right is NRH CEO-Dr Steve Aumanu and ROC (Taiwan) Minister Calvin Yen.

A ground breaking ceremony was held yesterday between the Taiwan Embassy and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

This is for a New Diabetic Centre, Specialist Clinic and Nurse Hostel project.

The project will cost the Republic of China (Taiwan) SBD$6.5 million. This is to refurbish old NRH’s old facilities and to turn it into a diabetic centre and specialist clinic.

Minister for Taiwan Embassy, Mr Calvin Yen said, “As the only referral hospital at national level, National Referral Hospital (NRH) is constantly under heavy work load, and therefore the ROC (Taiwan) Government allocated 6.5 million budget support to keep NRH in good shape.”

He said the 6.5 million dollar project is to support the infrastructure projects for NRH since facilities are too old.

NRH has proposed to destroy the old Diabetic centre to pave way for construction of a refurbishment project to expand the old building.

Yen said NRH refurbishment projects are crucial not only for Solomon Islanders, but also for patients referred from the 50 constituencies.

Yen also adds, Taiwan’s Government echoes their support to uplift quality of medical services stated in the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy through implementing such projects with the aim to benefit Solomon Islanders.

“Health cares are basic human rights while diseases have no boundaries. As a member of the global community, Taiwan will continue to uphold the objectives of Health for all,” Yen said.

He also said the health and medical cooperation between Taiwan and Solomon Islands remains cordial and successful over the past 35 years.

“More than 10 million US dollars have been invested to build the NRH throughout several construction stages, and this year, we are also celebrating 10th Anniversary of the Taiwan Health Centre.”

Yen assured the people and government of Solomon Islands that ROC’s (Taiwan) implementation of this NRH refurbishment project is timely for Solomon Islands, and as a faithful development partner, Taiwan will maintain ongoing support for the country’s health sector, and keep providing urgent medical assistance to NRH.

While acknowledging the ROC (Taiwan) government, CEO for NRH Dr Steve Aumanu said the project is indeed a milestone for Solomon Islands and especially to the MHMS.

“In the course of the past years, the country has faced a lots of related Humanitarian health issues and access to health facilities as well priorities in areas of infrastructures for clinics and hospitals which is not something people take for granted.

“However, with such support made by the ROC (Taiwan) has brought huge relievment to the MHMS and the people of the country.”

As part of their continuous support to the Solomon Islands, ROC (Taiwan) also have other project proposals for the MHMS under the refurbishment project.

They are renovation and maintenance work to oncology/ histology building, renovation and maintenance work to diabetic clinic, proposed storage for an operating theatre, and refurbishment and renovation works to the old nurse hostel.

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