BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Demand for Generation of Immunisation Project (DGIP) in the Solomon Islands held its first Orientation and Information Sharing Session in Honiara Tuesday this week at the Kukum SDA Church Dorcas Hall in Central Honiara.

DGIP Project Manager Sharon Kele told media in an interview that the orientation and information-sharing session aimed to inform and update key stakeholders on the DGIP implementation program in the Western Province.

“The main purpose of this project is to promote immunisations. It’s good to get our Donor informed of what we have done already, plus the MHMS guests are here to share about ways going forward. We are partnering with Church leaders, MHMS and community leaders. That is the purpose for this orientation session,’’ said Kele.

She said that the programme, which is yet to be implemented, aims to help promote the importance and awareness of immunisation to increase the demand for immunisation.

“Many times, we, the parents, neglect our role to ensure babies are immunised. We are partnering with the MHMS through the donor support from UNICEF,’’ she said.

She said that ADRA would implement the program across three islands in the Western Province, including Roviana Lagoon, South Vella La Vella, and Kolombangara Island.

“The project commenced in January 2025 and will conclude in September 2025. North Kolombangara includes 17 communities, six schools, plus two active clinics. Zone two is in the south and includes Vella La Vella, with another 17 communities, six schools and four clinics and in Roviana lagoon, it includes 18 communities.

She said that the DGIP project aims to strengthen coordination and capacity-building about immunisation in Schools and rural Health Units, get religious leaders to advocate for immunization, expand outreach programs to reach remote communities and ensure effective and efficient program management.

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