Solomon Islands Hospital (file image) Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Solomon Islands Operating Theatre at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) has gone into emergency mode, the country's health ministry says.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Health said services have scaled down due to a shortage of consumables and anaesthetic drugs used for operating patients.
"The Operating theatre will now only deal with emergency, caesarean births and life-threatening cases, until there is enough medication available," the statement said.
"The NRH confirms that they are working to source some of the urgent medication available from local pharmacies, while waiting patiently for the release of some of their much-needed medication that are in containers at the Point Cruz Wharf as well from overseas suppliers.
"The Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the National Medical Stores would like to reassure the public that they are working with donor and development partners to ensure that essential drugs are being procured and delivered to health facilities across the country."
Services within the hospitals other departments remain normal.
RNZ Pacific asked the hospital's chief executive Dr George Malefoasi for an interview but was told he needed clearance from the government secretary and needed to follow a protocol.
RNZ has since emailed the ministry's media official but has not had a response.
The decision to put the National Referral Hospital in emergency mode followed a meeting between hospital authorities and the ministry.
"Meanwhile, the National Medical Stores confirms that there is adequate stock of wool, gauze, and antibiotics, with another 6 containers containing anti-malarial drugs, plasters, urine bags and other medical supplies at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority awaiting financial clearance."
It said the medicine in stock at the National Medical Stores and at the wharf awaiting clearance have been bought by the Solomon Islands Government through its annual procurement process, procured last year under the 2023-2024 tender cycle.
Fifteen more containers of medicine and medical supplies are expected in country by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Health said the first batch of medication had arrived from the Australian government's SBD$9.1 million assistance for medicine last month.
It includes anti-malarial drugs which have arrived and have since been distributed to the Provincial Health Facilities.
"More medication and medical supplies are being sourced under this arrangement and these should be delivered in country in the next 4 to 8 weeks by air and by sea."