4 Jul 2006

Solomon Islands hospital may close if water shortage continues

12:04 pm on 4 July 2006

A hospital in the Solomon Islands province of Temotu is again facing an acute shortage of water.

The provincial health director, Dr Gunter Kittel, says he may have to close Lata hospital if nothing improves in the next few days.

The SIBC reports Dr Kittel as saying that the hospital will continue to deliver services today but if there's no rain, and nothing is forthcoming, he doesn't think they can continue from tomorrow.

He says water has been an ongoing problem at Lata and the hospital cannot operate without safe water.

The problem of water shortages at Lata has on several occasions led to the suspension of out-patient services at the hospital.