THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) has its first female Medical Superintendent.
She is Dr Janella Solomon – a medical doctor who has served at the hospital for many years.
Dr Solomon is part Guadalcanal and Western province.
She is not new to the hospital nor the Ministry of Health.
A statement from the ministry said from 2020 to March 2021, she was the Supervising Medical Superintendent of NRH, Clinical Team Leader for COVID-19 Isolation Ward at NRH.
In 2018 she was the NRH paediatrician, and between 2013 to 2017 Senior Paediatric registrar of NRH with her two previous postings in Malaita province as Medical Officer at the Kilufi hospital in 2010 -2013 and Atoifi Adventist Hospital in 2009.
Dr Solomon holds a Masters and Diploma in Child Health, School of Medicines and Science Health, University of Papua New Guinea, International Post Graduate Diploma in Child Health, Westmead Children’s Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia and Bachelor Medicine and Bachelor Surgery, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPNG.
The statement said throughout her working career, she participated in numerous professional development trainings and engaged in many undertakings involving skills and knowledge related to her new job.
These include; local tutor for Sydney Child Health Program International Post Graduate Certificate Diploma in Child Health, School of Nursing, Solomon Islands National University and Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital for teaching of Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Child Health Program for Doctors.
She was the local supervisor for Fiji National University graduates at NRH 2021, School of Medicines and Health Sciences for UPNG students at NRH 2014 -2021 that landed her the Deputy Chair position for the Medical Internship Training Committee of NRH 2019 -2021.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Pauline McNeil congratulated Dr Solomon to her new position stating that the ministry is indeed grateful to have her on board.
“Women comprise an estimated 70 percent of the total workforce in the Ministry of Health yet not too many of them are in key leadership and management positions,” McNeil said.
“Therefore, the appointment of Dr Solomon is a big achievement and a key milestone for women leadership in the health sector,” she added.
McNeil congratulated Dr Solomon in her new role.
“While we welcome Dr Solomon, I wish to also thanked Dr Rooney Jagilly, the Head of NRH Surgical Ward, who has been the acting MS in the past months while recruitment was being carried out.
“Sincere thank you indeed for job well done.”
Dr Solomon said she would strive to serve in her role as the Medical Superintendent to serve the people to the best of her knowledge, skills and ability.
“It won’t be easy but I assure of my determination, commitment and dedication towards this role to continue enhancing the operations of the hospital and continue on from the good work that previous MSs have achieved in improving the quality of patient care at the hospital,” Dr Solomon said.
