6 Feb 2015

New hospital priority for Solomons

3:24 pm on 6 February 2015

The Solomon Islands secretary for health says the new government has made a commitment to relocating the National Referral Hospital.

Solomon Islands Referral Hospital, coastal erosion.

Coastal erosion at the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital. Photo: Supplied

Tenneth Dalipandra says major flooding last year and tsunami threats have led to patient evacuations which are a logistical nightmare.

He says the children's ward is now only two metres from the water's edge.

Dr Dalipandra says planning meetings have been held but designs have not yet been drawn up for the rebuild up the hill.

"And it will be moving to higher ground behind Honiara City. The land has been identified and our other ministry the Ministry of Lands and Housing have worked with the land owners to acquire this piece of land."

Dr Dalipandra says the Solomons' growing population is also putting pressure on the current congested hospital facilities.