The outpatients area at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo: RNZ/Pacific Koroi Hawkins
The Solomon Islands government says a shortage of essential medicines is easing.
It said an urgent shipment arrived in this country this past weekend, which allowed medical centres to restock.
Doctors had complained of an acute shortage of essential medicines this past fortnight, with some having had to resort to using expired medicines after surgeries.
Listen to more about the medicine shortage from RNZ Pacific
But the prime minister's office says after this latest shipment, more than sixty percent of drugs are now available at the National Referral Hospital.
It says more large shipments are expected in the coming weeks.
However, doctors have called for a complete overhaul for the country's health system, where acute drug shortages are common.