The Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency Office (LBCO) officially handed over a brand-new, fully-equipped ambulance along with essential medical supplies to Takwa Rural Health Centre last Tuesday, thanks to the leadership of Honourable Ben Maenuβu for recognising the much-needed lifesaving land transport.
This significant support aims to enhance healthcare access and emergency response capabilities in the constituency.
Funding support was made possible through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Programme of the National Government, through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the LBCO 2024 CDF budget $3.88 million allocation, at a value of half a million dollars.
Held in Honiara, the ceremony was a moment of profound emotion and commitment. Receiving the donation were representatives of the Takwa Health Centre.
Hon. Maenuβu shared a powerful account that inspired this critical intervention, recounting an incident where a critically ill mother had to be transported in a wheelbarrow to the distant Takwa clinic.
βI shed tears when I saw what happened before my eyes. In that moment, I made a promise to my people that I would secure an ambulance for them. Today, I am deeply honoured to fulfil that promise,β Hon Maenu stated.
βThis life-saving transport is a core component of the constituency’s development plan and directly aligns with the global objectives of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
βIt is designed to address major health challenges by reducing maternal and child mortality, improving responses to infectious and non-communicable diseases, and ensuring reliable access to healthcare services in the constituency. Ambulance services are a lifeline,β Hon. Maenuβu emphasised.
βThis vehicle will strengthen our entire healthcare system by ensuring our remote communities have access to essential pre-hospital care and a crucial link to broader medical services. The days of walking long distances for critical medical help are now a thing of the past for my people of Lau/Mbaelelea.β
In a dual celebration of development, Hon. Maenuβu also handed over a new three-tonne truck to Adaua Secondary School.
The vehicle, funded through the National Transport Fund (NTF) under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, will significantly ease the schoolβs transportation burdens.
The donation was warmly received by the School Chairman, Mr. Stephen Tolinao.
The comprehensive medical assistance package included:
β’ A fully-equipped ambulance
β’ Admission beds for patients
β’ Kitchen utensils for clinic staff and patients
β’ A range of other crucial medical supplies
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) of the Ministry of Rural Development, George Balairamo, commended Hon. Maenuβu for his visionary leadership and timely support.
βOn behalf of the Hon. Minister, Permanent Secretary, and staff of MRD, I extend our gratitude to Hon. Maenuβu for his dedicated support to two vital sectors, particularly in our rural areas.
βThe distance to medical facilities is a significant challenge. MRD believes this ambulance will help bridge that gap by providing rapid medical response capabilities. The Ministry remains committed to supporting the Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency in advancing its development plans under the CDF program,β he underscored.
He further urged the community to take ownership of the assets and utilise them responsibly for the long-term betterment of their health services.
Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency Accountant Officer, Mr. Timas Tuita, confirmed the operational details, stating that the CDF-funded ambulance will be stationed and staffed by the Takwa Rural Health Centre.
βIt will primarily serve the clinics in Wards 12, 10, and 6, all of which have also received medical assistance from the constituency office.β
Mr. Tuita added that this handover marks just the beginning of a continued development drive, with more rural and livelihood projects for the Lau/Mbaelelea constituency scheduled to be handed over in the coming weeks.
The Ministry of Rural Developmentβs vision is to ensure all Solomon Islanders are empowered for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.
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