An enquiry into the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital has called for urgent action by the Government to improve services that are described as a national disgrace.
The Parliamentary Select Committee report into the quality of medical services provided by the 400-bed National Referral Hospital in Honiara was presented to Parliament just before Christmas after eight months of hearings and investigations.Chair of the Committee, Hon. Peter Boyers, says significant and concerning evidence regarding the parlous state of the hospital is a national disgrace.
Areas needing urgent action include increased budgeted funding, more staff, medical equipment and better computer software.
The report also recommends the Government immediately put in place a Patient Complaints Tribunal and upgrade the hospital's sewerage system which currently pumps waste directly into the sea.