The Regional Eye Centre (REC) at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara features six consultation rooms, a two-bed operating theatre, a procedure room, and a dedicated teaching centre. Staffed by a skilled local workforce, it delivers high-quality eye care to patients from all corners of the Solomon Islands.
Regional Eye Centre/National Referral Hospital Kukum Highway, Honiara
Opening hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday, Sunday, & Public Holidays: CLOSED
In 2014, it became clear that the Solomon Islands desperately needed a dedicated eye care facility. Although they had a skilled team of local specialists, the lack of proper infrastructure, equipment, and resources created significant barriers to delivering quality eye care.
To address this, we worked alongside the Solomon Islands Government and the New Zealand Government to establish the Regional Eye Centre (REC) in Honiara. Funds were generously provided by the New Zealand Aid Programme and the New Zealand public. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and the World Diabetes Foundation provided additional support.
Designed by New Zealand’s award-winning Bossley Architects, the Centre was completed in 2015 and handed over to the Solomon Islands Government that same year.
Located at the National Referral Hospital, the REC is managed by the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Health and Medical Services. It not only provides world-class eye care but also serves as a hub for training and nationwide outreach programmes, ensuring that even remote communities can access critical eye health services.
Since opening, the REC has become a cornerstone of the Solomon Islands’ efforts to end avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
With the Pacific disproportionately affected by climate change, the REC was built to be both climate-resilient and environmentally friendly. Solar panels generate 94% of the Centre’s energy needs, rainwater harvesting ensures a reliable water supply, and an independent sewerage system reduces reliance on local utilities. These features save the Ministry of Health an estimated NZ$450 per day in energy costs and ensure uninterrupted eye care services, even during power outages.
The facility was constructed with sustainably grown New Zealand pine and meets strict earthquake, natural disaster, and medical safety standards. Its durable, climate-resilient design has not only stood the test of time but has also set a benchmark for public infrastructure in the Solomon Islands.
The REC’s modern facilities have transformed eye care in the region. The Centre has doubled the number of patients treated and surgeries performed since opening, enabling thousands of Solomon Islanders to regain their sight. It has also created opportunities for in-country training, allowing more women and girls to access eye care and for local ophthalmologists to expand their skills without needing to leave their communities.
In 2023 the Regional Eye Centre provided:
The Regional Eye Centre is also the base for national surgical outreaches and diabetes eye care outreaches, which in 2023 delivered a further:
The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is a registered charitable organisation under the Charities Act 2005.
Charities Commission registration number is CC23722.
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