18 Jul 2016

Helping hand for Solomons' hospitals

8:45 am on 18 July 2016

Solomon Islands hospitals will be recieving up to 20 containers of supplies a year from the New Zealand non-Government organisation (NGO), Take My Hands.

Papua New Guinea (July 7, 2015) Hospitalman Jaime Cavalleroserna, from San Francisco, takes patient vitals during a community health engagement. Medical personnel from the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived in Kokopo  during Pacific Partnership 2015.

Solomon Islands are under resourced and in need of equipment and supplies. Photo: US Navy/Mayra A. Conde

Hospitals in the country are in desperate need of everything from bedding to prosthetics.

Take My Hands collects medical equipment and supplies from New Zealand and then sends them to countries in need.

The NGO has struck a deal with the Solomon Islands government to ensure its freight costs of almost US$35,000 per shipment are covered.

A former government consultant Alfred Sasako said health professionals have asked for more resources but never received them.

"I've think they've said enough, over the years. No one seemed to be listening in terms of government seriously taking the concerns expressed by doctors. Talking to them I know they're very grateful for what Take my Hand is doing"

Mr Sasako said the first shipment of 48 beds has allowed the hospital to accept more patients.

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