Solomon Islands MPs have separate funding for overseas medical care

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  Solomon Islands MPs and their immediate families have a separate fund for overseas medical care under parliamentary entitlements.

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  An ABC investigation raised questions about whether some MPs and government officials received publicly funded overseas treatment when cheaper care was available locally.

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  In 2025, spending on overseas care for parliamentarians through a fund in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet exceeded the amount set aside for ordinary citizens.

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  The parliamentary rules require treatment to be essential, treatable and unavailable in Solomon Islands, with a referral from a committee of specialist doctors.

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  Anna Bugotu, who needs surgery for rheumatic heart disease, has raised $5,000 toward a bill of nearly $35,000 and is waiting for public funding.

Who

Solomon Islands MPs and their immediate families have a separate overseas medical care fund; the investigation also examined treatment received by some MPs and government officials.

What

An ABC investigation raised questions about publicly funded overseas treatment and whether some cases met the rules.

When

The rules changed in 2020; the investigation reported that parliamentary spending in 2025 exceeded the amount set aside for ordinary citizens.

Where

Solomon Islands, with some patients travelling overseas for treatment.

Why

Some serious medical treatments are not available in Solomon Islands.

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