An enquiry into the largest hospital in the Solomon Islands has called for urgent action by the Government to improve services that are described as a national disgrace.
The 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, 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 and medical equipment and better computer software.
The report also recommends the Government put in place immediately a Patient Complaints Tribunal and upgrade the hospital's sewerage system which currently pumps waste directly into the sea.
