Honiara, Solomon Islands – St John Ambulance Solomon Islands is proud to announce the official opening and blessing of its new headquarters at Point Cruz. The event, held today, was attended by distinguished guests, including His Excellency Reverend David Tiva Kapu, Governor General of Solomon Islands and President of St John Ambulance, His Excellency Rod Hilton, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, and key figures from St John Ambulance.
This significant milestone underscores the commitment of St John Ambulance to delivering world-class emergency medical services throughout the country. The new headquarters, built with the support of the Australian Government, stands as a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between Solomon Islands and Australia in health and emergency services.
Governor General Reverend David Tiva Kapu, in his role as President of St John Ambulance, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving such a milestone. He further acknowledged the invaluable contributions from the Australian Government, particularly their role in strengthening emergency response capabilities through donations and training initiatives.
"This new headquarters is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together as a community, as a nation, and as part of a global network. It will allow us to reach patients faster and extend the lifesaving work of St John Ambulance to more provinces across our beloved Solomon Islands."
Speaking at the event, Namoi Kaluae, Chairperson of St John Ambulance Solomon Islands, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the continued support from Australia:
"Australia’s unwavering commitment to St John Ambulance is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about enabling us to save lives, reach more people, and serve our communities with the highest standard of emergency care. This new facility represents our shared goal of improving health outcomes for all our people."
Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting the Solomon Islands health sector. He also acknowledged the close collaboration between Australia and Solomon Islands in health and emergency services, cementing their bond for future health security initiatives.
"Australia is proud to stand with St John Ambulance Solomon Islands as they continue their critical work in saving lives. The opening of this new headquarters is a significant achievement in our ongoing partnership, one that ensures that communities across Solomon Islands receive the medical care they need in times of emergencies."
The event was also marked by a dedication ceremony led by the St John Chaplain, Fr Reginald Tohutohuniu, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony where the Governor General, Australian High Commissioner, and Chancellor of St John Ambulance Australia, Cameron Oxley, jointly inaugurated the facility.
Chief Commissioner Michael Andrews underscored the operational significance of the new headquarters, stating:
"This facility is not just a building; it is the heart of our operations, a space where we will coordinate life-saving efforts, and a centre from which we will continue to train and equip our teams to respond to emergencies across the country. It marks a new era for St John Ambulance Solomon Islands."
This headquarters is expected to enhance the organisation’s ability to provide efficient and effective emergency medical services across Solomon Islands, ensuring more timely responses and better-equipped facilities for training and coordination.
St John Ambulance proudly provides the nation’s primary emergency ambulance service on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. St John prides itself on saving lives and helping Solomon Islanders and visitors with emergency medical care.
