BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
BUNI Community in Western province is calling on the Government to support the construction of a new permanent health centre to replace its deteriorating clinic, which health workers say is no longer safe or suitable to provide essential medical services.
Health services at Buni Clinic are currently being delivered from a rundown building constructed from bush materials, with rotting beams and a leaking roof posing risks to both patients and staff.
Nurse in Charge of Buni Clinic, Laena Tite, said the ageing facility is no longer fit for its purpose and requires urgent replacement.
“Our biggest need is to build a brand-new permanent health centre because our population is increasing.
“Leaves have fallen from the roof and the beams are rotting, making it unsafe for both patients and nurses to work under the building,” Ms Tite said.
Tite said the clinic was repaired repeatedly over the years, and people have become tired of continuing to help with repairs.
She said Buni Clinic serves a large catchment area, providing healthcare to four major communities as well as several nearby island communities.
Tite said the clinic serves a population of more than 1,000 people who depend on it for basic health and medical services.
She also said the clinic urgently needs improved water and sanitation facilities.
“We depend entirely on rainwater, with storage tanks supplying water for the clinic and our restrooms. At the moment, only one restroom is functioning,” Tite said.
She said the clinic is also without its own transport, making it difficult to respond to medical emergencies.
Tite said the clinic urgently requires a boat and outboard motor to transport critically ill patients to Helena Goldie Hospital.
“Currently, we hire private transport whenever we need to transfer emergency patients to Helena Goldie Hospital. It has become a very expensive arrangement for a small rural clinic like ours,” she said.
Because of the clinic’s limited capacity and deteriorating condition, several important health services can no longer be provided locally.
Maternity services, including labour and patient admissions, have been referred to Helena Goldie Hospital, leaving the clinic to focus mainly on general outpatient consultations, antenatal care and child welfare services.
Community leaders say land has already been identified for the construction of a new health centre, with the only remaining challenge being financial support.
They are now appealing to the Government, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, (MHMS) to provide funding to construct a modern health facility capable of meeting the growing healthcare needs of the surrounding communities.
Residents believe a new health centre would significantly improve access to quality healthcare while reducing the burden and costs associated with referring patients to Helena Goldie Hospital.
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