BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has an increase of around SBD 7 million dollars to cater for electricity for health facilities.

Health Minister Paul Popora Bosawai revealed this in parliament yesterday during discussion on the 2026 Appropriation Bill 2025 in response to Member of Parliament for East Are’Are Peter Kenilorea Jr’s who questioned whether the ministry has any plans to manage electricity consumption.

Responding to the question, Bosawai said there is an increase of around seven million dollars to anticipate for funding of our electricity bill covering our additional health facilities come 2026.

He added that this included the (CMC) Comprehensive Medical Center of which they are yet to understand the consumption load of electricity for that facility.

Bosawai said then there is the Naha Birthing Centre which they will be responsible to look after in terms of the electricity bill as well for Kilufi Hospital in Malaita Province.

“So basically, that accounting code specifically for the new facilities comes 2026 that we anticipate to open,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bosawai stressed that in terms of policy thinking on how to reduce cost of electricity, health is quite very expensive.

“I will not say expenditure, but an investment for our country. We’ve been in discussion with WHO to start putting solarization on our ministry, our health headquarters. That’s starting and, of course, then moves to other new health facilities.

“So, it’s already in discussion with WHO to help us with the solarization of health,” he said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]