Around-the-clock care begins at Naha health centre

At any hour of the day or night, families in Honiara can now turn to the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre for low-risk birthing and primary medical care.

Just six weeks after opening, the Centre moved to full 24-hour operations on Tuesday. Its Birthing Centre is now open around the clock, while the Urban Health Centre has extended primary care to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Oaena Ahikau and Jellyn Ahikau say they love how the new Centre has taken everything into consideration such as car parking, sanitation and a clean environment. 

The milestone follows a busy start. More than 8,400 people have visited the Centre in its first six weeks, including more than 3,000 outpatient appointments, 603 GP appointments and 238 dental appointments.

Behind those numbers is a simpler journey for patients. Outpatient care, x-rays, laboratory testing, maternal and child health services, dental care and low-risk birthing are all available under one roof.

Dalcy Ulufa’alu and Samuel Geta say they are looking forward to having their baby in the modern new private birthing suites.

Centre Director Dr Anniver Aitorea said the facility’s “one-stop” model was already making care more accessible. “With onsite pathology and x-ray, our doctors can get blood tests or x-rays done immediately for on-the-spot diagnosis and treatment,” Dr Aitorea said. “This will reduce the need for follow-up review appointments – which is good for patients and doctors.” 

For expectant families, the new birthing service will more than double Honiara’s birthing capacity. Five World Health Organisation-standard “respectful delivery” suites provide modern, private spaces for births.

“All-hours healthcare, right in the heart of Naha, will ensure faster, better care for patients, and enable the specialist medical teams at the National Referral Hospital to focus on critical and emergency cases,” Dr Aitorea said.

Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach congratulated the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Honiara City Council for bringing the $250 million facility into full operation so quickly.

The Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has quickly become a much used and much loved part of the community.

“The swift transition to 24/7 low-risk birthing and primary medical care, 365 days a year, is a significant step up for integrated healthcare and easing pressure on the National Referral Hospital,” High Commissioner Roach said.

The Centre was designed, built and brought into operation through the work of Solomon Islanders and Australians. High Commissioner Roach said its rapid expansion showed how quality infrastructure, supported by a trained and prepared health system, could respond to government and patient priorities.

“It’s very satisfying to see Naha quickly become a well-used, much-loved facility, and demonstrate the benefit of its modern, one-stop, integrated healthcare,” High Commissioner Roach said. “The Centre is achieving beyond our expectations and shows what we can do together to improve health infrastructure and services in Solomon Islands.”

Australia will continue supporting the Centre as it settles into 24/7 operations, with a focus on safe and seamless care.