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Health Executive team visits Kilu’ufi Improvement Project site

By Fredrick Kusu

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Inside the delivery room (labour ward)

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Senior Executive Management Team, led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil, on Thursday 16th April visited the Kilu’ufi Improvement Project site as part of a final inspection ahead of the official handover ceremony scheduled for June 2026. 

Inside one of the operating theatres
Inside one of the operating theatres

The Final inspection of the project is a standard procedure by the contractor and consultant together with the MHMS to confirm that construction meets all scope-of-work requirements, specialized medical equipment is installed, and the facility is safe for patient care. 

The inspection involved a joint walk-through by contractors, and health officials to ensure that the environment is safe, properly equipped, verifying structural completion, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems, and fire safety systems are in place.

Mrs. McNeil and her team, together with Malaita Provincial Health Director Dr. David Danitofea, were guided through the near-completed project by Resident Engineer Mr. Jun Ikeda of Fukunaga Architect Engineer and his team.

During the walkthrough, Mr. Ikeda and his team provided updates on the project’s progress and highlighted remaining minor touch-up works to be completed prior to final handover.

Permanent Secretary Mrs. McNeil expressed her appreciation for the progress achieved to date and commended Mr. Ikeda and his team for their dedication and hard work throughout the construction phase. 

Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil and Fukunaga Architect Engineer, Resident Engineer Mr. Jun Ikeda signing the current status progress of the Kilu’ufi Hospital Improved project
Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil and Fukunaga Architect Engineer, Resident Engineer Mr. Jun Ikeda signing the current status progress of the Kilu’ufi Hospital Improved project

She also acknowledged the support and hospitality provided by Dr. Danitofea and the staff of Kilu’ufi Hospital and the surrounding communities, and by the Provincial Government for hosting the construction team from the start of the project to almost the completion of the project.

The Kilu’ufi Improvement Project is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a cost of SBD130million.

The project stems from bilateral consultations and negotiations between MHMS, MFAETand the JICA Solomon Islands Office in 2020. 

This collaboration led to the completion of all necessary processes, including project assessments, design, formulation and validation, culminating in the signing of the construction contract in July 2024 and the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2024.

[end]

MHMS statement

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