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Two of the meetings were held with the project design team (Fukunaga Architects & Engineers – FAE) and Kitano Architects in Tokyo, Japan.
Solomon Islands Minister of Health Dr Pail Popora Bosawai recently visited Japan to meet with stakeholders involved in preparations for the upcoming Kiluufi Hospital Improvement Project.
Two of the meetings were held in Tokyo, Japan from June 24 to 28, 2024 with the project design team (Fukunaga Architects and Engineers – FAE) and Kitano Architecture.
During the meeting with the project design team, the Minister stressed that we all need each other’s help to achieve results and outcomes and thanked and praised Fuyong Construction Engineering Company and its highly professional experts or architects and engineers who have done a very good job in designing the project.
Minister Bosavai specifically mentioned the Project Consultant, Mr. Fujinuma, who led and achieved the expectations of the project process, stressing that “without the leadership of Mr. Fujinuma, the project design documents to date would not have been possible, and he has done an excellent job in completing this project from the outset. Mr. Fujinuma and his team were very professional and meticulous, and provided a very detailed project design for the Kilufi Improvement Project”
In his response, Mr. Fujinuma expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services team and the Provincial Health Services for their strong support from the beginning, the design stage and the bidding process.
During the meeting with Kitano Construction, the Minister expressed his appreciation for Kitano Construction, stressing that “Kitano Construction and its agencies are well known in the Solomon Islands as they have been involved in other development projects over the years, including the construction of Gizo Hospital in the Western Province from 2009 to 2011. Kitano Construction’s presence in the Solomon Islands gives Kitano Construction a comparative advantage in terms of on-the-ground experience”
Discussions on improving this health facility began eight years ago in 2016. However, the discussion did not progress until 2019/2020 when senior administration officials once again revisited the concept, citing the pressure on the Ministry of Health to improve, expand and deliver health services in the country as the population of Solomon Islands is growing rapidly and the demand for health services is increasing.
The Minister further stressed that “the improvements to the hospital will not only strengthen the health system and services in Kilufi, but also in the country as a whole, becoming an important alternative to the National Referral Hospital (located in Honiara) in providing additional and tertiary health services within the province, as the people of Malaita Province will have easy access to these services, thereby alleviating the financial hardship and burden of not having to travel to the capital city of Honiara.”
This week, officials from the Ministry of Health, the project team and Kitano Construction held agreed negotiations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and signed a letter of intent on June 27, 2024 to allow for the relevant processes and required procedures to be carried out in order to officially sign a contract with Kitano Construction.
Source: Department of Health and Medical Services press release
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