Two of the three main operating theatres in Solomon Islands main hospital remain closed because of sub-standard repair work.
The theatres were closed last December by the labour commissioner leaving the hospital with only one major theatre.
The Chief executive of the National Referral Hospital Dr Steve Aumanu has refused to comment on the situation, saying he was still seeking a meeting with the commissioner of Labour to try and resolve the situation.
The permanent secretary of the ministry of Health, Teneth Dalipada, said he understood the situation had arisen from a breakdown in communication between the hospital and the labour division over what renovations were to be made to the theatre.
Dr Dalipada said the situation was a serious one for the country's main hospital which for the past four months has been forced to prioritise emergency cases ahead of elective and non-life threatening procedures.