BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Church leaders from across Western Province are currently participating in a workshop that aims to strengthen awareness and support for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunisation programme.

The workshop is organised by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) with support from UNICEF.

It brings together representatives from major Christian denominations including the United Church, Destiny Church, Methodist Church, SSEC, Anglican Church, Seventh-day Adventist, CFC, and the Catholic Church at Kukudu School.

ADRA Project Manager, Sharon Kele, highlighted the importance of involving churches in the health awareness campaign, saying religious institutions are among the most influential and organised groups in the Solomon Islands.

“Churches can reach entire communities in a single event.

“This is why it’s important to engage church leaders in promoting the HPV vaccine — their voices carry weight, and they can help change lives,” she said.

Sharon urged churches to shift their focus from merely conducting funerals to actively saving lives.

“Stop burying people — rise up and help save lives from preventable diseases like cervical cancer caused by HPV,” she said.

Sharon said the workshop comes with community-level efforts, with ADRA and local health authorities running similar awareness campaigns at Gizo Hospital.

She said twelve trained community champions are now conducting outreach in three wards after completing their training with support of ADRA and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

Sharon said the HPV vaccination program is a life-saving initiative and calls for stronger collaboration between churches and health authorities to ensure a healthier future for young girls and women.

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