Months of meticulous planning culminated in a significant moment for Gizo Hospital on November 1, 2024. Over the preceding months, Colin Scobie, Vice President of Rotary Redcliffe Sunrise, and Matthias Amalo, a dedicated Rotarian and former President of the Gizo Rotary Club, collaborated via WhatsApp to identify the hospital’s critical needs. Matthias liaised with Gizo Hospital management to understand the ideal equipment required to support the hospital and the broader Ghizo Island community.
Gizo Hospital, the second largest in the Solomon Islands after Honiara, is a 95-bed facility built in 2011 with a grant from the Japanese government. The hospital boasts an X-ray department, emergency services, and air-conditioned operating theatres—essential for the region’s tropical climate.
The initiative to supply medical equipment for Colin's journey was sparked by a local Rotarian who volunteers for Rotarians Australia World Community Service in the Solomon Islands. "The idea of taking triage medical equipment was well within reach," shared Colin, who was on a WWII pilgrimage retracing the steps of his father in the NZ 37th Battalion.
Working together, the Rotary team compiled a list of 31 essential diagnostic items, including otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, non-contact digital thermometers, paediatric and adult SpO2 sensors, aneroid sphygmomanometers, and blood glucose meters. These vital tools are indispensable for initial patient assessments in hospitals and clinics. While the Rotary Redcliffe Sunrise club contributed, additional funding was secured through a District 9620 Foundation grant to cover the substantial cost of the equipment.
The long-anticipated journey began with a flight to Honiara, where Colin joined a Ponant cruise through the Solomon Islands to Ghizo. Upon arrival, the donated equipment successfully cleared customs and was officially handed over to the hospital. The moment was commemorated by local media, the Solomon Star press.
Hospital Director Dr. Dickson Boara, Ponant Captain Roman Dufau-Hitou, Matthias Amalo, Rotarian Kerrie Kennedy, and others were present to mark the occasion. After the handover, the group toured Gizo Hospital, gaining firsthand insight into its facilities and operations.
The day concluded with a visit to the local markets and a stop at the historic PT109 Bar for a refreshing soda. The bar holds a connection to history, as it commemorates the wartime service of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who served in the Pacific during WWII.
This milestone event highlights the power of international collaboration and the enduring impact of Rotary's commitment to improving healthcare in communities around the world.
The article is published in the Redcliffe Guide
