By Gina Maka’a

Work on a Chinese government-funded $90 million state-of-the-art health facility is set to start at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara next year. 

This follows today’s ground-breaking ceremony conducted on the grounds of the hospital. 

Dubbed the National Referral Hospital’s Comprehensive Medical Center, this new health facility will feature a four-storey building with modern medical equipment and instruments, according to local health authorities. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony, was elated. 

“This ceremony marks another major milestone, in our relationship with the Government and people of the Peoples Republic of China,” Sogavare said. 

He added this new health facility would lift the range and quality of medical services available to many Solomon Islanders in the country without the need for referral to overseas institutions for investigations and treatment. 

China’s new ambassador Cai Weiming was equally excited. 

“As the second ambassador to Solomon Islands, I am honoured to attend this grand event on the 4th day of my arrival,” Weiming, who arrived Monday this week, said. 

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony heralds the realization of another long-held dream of the people of Solomon Islands,” he added. 

“For a long time, many Solomon Islanders have been troubled by chronic diseases and have longed for high quality medical care.  

“In light of this we have decided to help build a comprehensive medical center at the National Referral Hospital.” 

The National Referral Hospital’s chief executive officer Dr George Malefoasi told In-depth Solomons the Comprehensive Medical Center will boost the hospital’s services to a new level.  

“Now the level of care will be one step up once the facility is completed,” Malefoasi said. 

“It will lift the level of care, specialties will be different, equipment will be different, level of infrastructure will be different,” he added. 

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil told up to 300 guests who witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony that the project has been in the making for the last three years. 

This new health facility is expected to be completed by 2025. 

China’s state-owned JJC Construction will build the facility.