Rebuilding Hospital Services for Children in the Solomon Islands after the Civil Conflict

Strategic Insights -

A report published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health reveals the devastating impact of the civil conflict on the Solomon Islands' health service infrastructure and economy. The conflict, which lasted from 1998 to 2003, severely affected the delivery of hospital services for children. Paediatricians, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, developed plans to rebuild health services for children in provincial hospitals in 2002. A systematic assessment of the quality of hospital care for children in Solomon Islands was conducted in November 2003, highlighting significant problems in clinical care, human resources, health financing, referral systems, and training.

Key Takeaways:

  • The civil conflict between 1998 and 2003 had a severe impact on the Solomon Islands' health service infrastructure and economy.
  • Paediatricians, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, developed plans to rebuild health services for children in provincial hospitals in 2002.
  • A systematic assessment of the quality of hospital care for children in Solomon Islands was conducted in November 2003, using a modified WHO assessment tool.
  • The assessment identified significant problems in clinical care, human resources, health financing, referral systems, and training.
  • Initiatives implemented based on this assessment have been used to improve the quality of paediatric care in Solomon Islands.
  • The study demonstrates the link between assessment, child health policy, and quality improvement activities, even in limited-resource settings.

Statistics:

  • The civil conflict lasted from 1998 to 2003, affecting the Solomon Islands' health service infrastructure and economy.
  • The assessment was conducted in November 2003.
  • The study used a modified WHO assessment tool.
  • The assessment identified significant problems in clinical care, human resources, health financing, referral systems, and training.
  • Initiatives implemented based on this assessment aim to improve the quality of care for children in Solomon Islands by 2015 (Millennium Development Goal).

Sources:

  • Auto, J., et al. "Hospital services for children in the Solomon Islands: rebuilding after the civil conflict." Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2006): 42(11), 680-7.
  • World Health Organization.