A milestone achievement and Groundbreaking Advancement in Cardiac Care, A FIRST for Solomon Islands

The National Referral Hospital (NRH) marked a significant milestone with the successful completion of its first-ever Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) performed on Thursday 5^th June 2025.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure used to treat blocked or narrowed blood vessels in the heart. It involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, typically in the groin or arm, and threading it through the arteries to the blockage.

This highly skilled and advanced cardiac procedure, commonly performed overseas in countries such as China, Australia, India, the United States, and other developed nations, represents a remarkable achievement for the Comprehensive Medical Centre, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Government of Solomon Islands.

The procedure was carried out collaboratively, led by Dr. Wei Bo, the cardiologist interventionist from the 4th China Medical Team, in partnership with the local internal medicine team, headed by Dr. Emire Meone, Dr Alice Siuna and Dr. Brendon Talota.

This groundbreaking operation took place in the newly established Comprehensive Medical Center (CMC) wing of the NRH. While the CMC is still in the process of being fully equipped for such advanced operations, the PCI was executed smoothly and successfully, demonstrating the hospital’s capacity to provide cutting-edge medical services.

The vision for the new CMC facility is to enable delicate and advanced medical procedures, offering hope and improved healthcare outcomes to the community. A state-of-the-art Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) machine donated by PRC has been installed at the center, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic heart conditions with precision.

This achievement highlights NRH’s commitment to bringing high-quality medical technology and expertise to the region, paving the way for more advanced healthcare services in the future.

Meanwhile, following the pioneering procedure, the patient showed remarkable progress, recovering smoothly with her condition stabilizing within 48 hours post-operatively.

The dedicated medical team, led by Dr. Wei Bo and supported by local specialists, prepared a detailed follow-up plan to monitor her recovery. Further procedures, if necessary, will be decided based on the advice and assessment of the specialists, ensuring comprehensive care throughout her journey.

In recognizing the milestone achievement, the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Honorable Dr Paul Bosawai, Health Minister commended the healthcare professionals consisting of the Chinese Medical Team and the NRH Local team healthcare professionals who worked together and tirelessly to advance medical knowledge and deliver life-saving treatment on the ground.

Health Minister further reiterated the importance of ongoing investments in healthcare to advance and impart medical knowledge, deliver life-saving treatments and ultimately improve patient outcomes on the ground.

ENDS//

– MHMS Media Release