BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
HELENA Goldie Hospital is appealing to individuals, business houses, donor partners and the national government to assist with the renovation of three deteriorating staff houses as the hospital grapples with a shortage of accommodation for nurses.
In an interview with Island sun, Medical Superintendent Dr Raymond Kuray Dickson said the lack of suitable staff housing has contributed to the hospital’s ongoing workforce challenges, making it difficult to accommodate nurses needed to serve the growing population in Western Province’s Zone Three.
He said the hospital already has staff houses, but they are in such poor condition that they are no longer safe or suitable for human habitation.
“So here is the story, we have houses but they are not fit for human beings because they are run-down.
“What we are hoping for is for any donor partner and government to help us renovate the buildings so that they can be fit for human beings to stay,” Dickson said.
He said renovating the three houses will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to accommodate health workers and strengthen health service delivery in the region.
Dickson also highlighted the increasing demand for healthcare services, noting that the population within Zone Three has grown considerably over the years.
He said the rising population requires greater investment in health infrastructure and support from both the government and development partners.
“The population in Zone Three has increased over the years, meaning the government and relevant authorities must provide better support to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services,” Dickson said.
He said Helena Goldie Hospital serves thousands of people across Western Province and parts of neighbouring Choiseul Province, making it one of the country’s key rural referral hospitals.
Dickson said improving staff accommodation is essential to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers and ensure patients continue to receive quality medical care.
He expressed hope that generous individuals, corporate organisations and donor agencies will respond positively to the hospital’s appeal and help restore the staff houses to a liveable standard.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
