Minister of Health switches on solar lights for St. Luke's Chapel

A new solar lighting for St. Luke’s Chapel at Godden Memorial Hospital, Lolowai on Ambae will greatly assist with mortuary work for the hospital.

The solar light was officially switched on by the Minister of Health, Toara Daniel, early this week.

Chairman of St. Luke Church Vestry Committee, Willie Leo expressed the parishioners’ appreciation to the Vanuatu government for the support of the solar lighting for their chapel. The provision and installation of the solar lighting was made possible through the assistance of MP for Ambae, Alickson Vira.

Expressing his appreciation for the lighting, Leo said youth and women’s groups have daily programs in the chapel every evening and sometimes they used torches to complete their programs, and sometimes they would just end without completing their programs of activities due to poor lighting.

“Chief, I call you chief, because your ears are open and you hear the cries of the youths and mothers for assistance,” the Vestry chairman addressed the MP for Ambae.

“Your heart is full of love and you answer their cry,” he added.

Provincial Health Manager John Harrison thanked the Minister of Health for accepting the invitation to visit Godden Memorial Hospital at Lolowai.

He also thanked the MP for Ambae, Alickson Vira for making the visit happen.

“It’s quite a long time ago that a Minister of Health has visited us,” he added.

The Provincial Health Manager acknowledged the support of Penama Provincial Council, represented by Vice President Alban Tari in the Minister’s tour.

He said the chapel was often used as a mortuary because every time there was death at the hospital, the body was often taken to the chapel from where it was shipped to the villages of Ambae, or to the nearby Maewo or Pentecost islands.

“Many times the bodies were held in the dark, but with this solar lighting it will greatly assist families in this regard,” the Penama Provincial Health Manager said.