MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Australia will provide a further $9 million to help Solomon Islands improve basic health service delivery and tackle key new health issues, including HIV/AIDS, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Bruce Billson, announced today in Honiara.
'This additional contribution to health services will have a significant impact on the public health program and help locals fight diseases such as malaria,' Mr Billson said.
'Funding will also provide urgent refurbishment to provincial health infrastructure, including hospitals and medical aid stations, and support the purchase and distribution of basic medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
The Parliamentary Secretary today also opened a primary school in Honiara at Titinge, for children displaced from the Weathercoast during the recent conflict.
'More than 100 children will now receive much needed schooling after Australian funds provided three classrooms, desks and a water tank and local community members played a significant role in building the classrooms,' Mr Billson said.
In 2004-05, the Australian Government, through AusAID, will provide an estimated $201.6 million in total overseas development assistance to Solomon Islands, which includes support for economic reform, legal and judicial sector strengthening and improved health services.
Mr Billson is in Solomon Islands leading a Parliamentary delegation.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489