Construction of a new Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) at the Eastern wing of the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is set to kick off, following the signing of minutes of an on-site Feasibility Study of the CMC Project by the Ministry of Health and China Embassy in Solomon Islands.

Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil and Mr. Yao Ming Deputy Head and Counselor of China Embassy in Solomon Islands signed the documents last week.

The minutes amongst others, outlines the project size, details and list of medical equipment that will be needed within the facilities and separation of roles and responsibilities by China as the donor and Ministry of Health as the recipient in the preparation phase right through construction and onwards to the completion of the project.

Given the increasing demand and tertiary services for Non-Communicable related diseases, the discussions for the set up of a medical center dedicated to NCD related illnesses at NRH was initially discussed over two years ago.

So while initial focus will be to set up a cardiac centre to mainly diagnose heart problems and provide treatment, this will soon after expand to include renal specialized services and treatment or treatment of kidney diseases with a more comprehensive medical centre to deal with a range of NCDs in the long term, hence the name, Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC).

At the signing, Mr. Yao Ming highlighted that the project now is one step closer to its next phase which is the actual construction of the complex and China will ensure that all its components agreed in the feasibility study meeting minutes is fulfilled.

Likewise the Health Permanent Secretary assured of the Ministry’s of health commitment towards its part in the project while acknowledging that this project will greatly bolster health care service in the country.

Heart and renal diseases are amongst the leading causes of deaths in the country and thus the new facility with all proposed new medical equipment will greatly enhance health service in the country for our people.

“A big thank you to the government and people of China”, said Mrs. McNeil.

Discussion on this facility was initiated in 2019 and in November 2019 the Government of the People’s Republic of China agreed to undertake the feasibility study.

Source: MHMS Media