BY NED GAGAHE
The Solomon Islands and Australia have officially launched the Solomon Islands-Australia Health Partnership, a $150 million initiative aimed at improving healthcare services and saving lives throughout the Solomon Islands.
The event was attended by key officials, including Minister for Health and Medical Services, Paul Bosawai, Minister for Provincial Government, Wayne Ghemu, Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Rod Hilton, Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health, Dr Lucas de Toca, and Permanent Secretary for Health, Mrs Pauline McNeil.
Speaking at the launch Minister Bosawai said the launch of the partnership is a significant commitment that marks another milestone in our collective efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our people, both in urban centers and rural communities.
“The partnership reinforces Australia’s role as the Solomon Islands’ largest health development partner.” Dr. Bosawai said.
Dr. Bosawai also called for collective effort across all sectors to strengthen health governance and service delivery, urging healthcare professionals, development partners, and civil society to work together towards a common goal.
“This is more than just financial assistance; it is a testament to the strong and enduring relationship between our two nations, bound by mutual commitment to a healthier and more prosperous future for the Solomon Islands.
“As the previous health partnership concludes, today marks the beginning of a new and renewed commitment to our health sector.
“The Solomon Islands–Australia Partnership for Health 2025–2028 reinforces Australia’s role as our biggest health development partner and partner of choice in supporting the strengthening of our health systems and the delivery of essential health services.” Minister Bosawai said.
Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton said that this is a new $150 million investment to deliver a new phase in our health partnership with a much greater focus on provinces.
“Half of this new funding – $75 million – will go directly to Provincial Health Departments and Honiara City Council to deliver essential primary health services.”
“This is on top of our investment into the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre and all other significant regional health investments.”
The new Health Partnership also includes a $10 million Health Facility Fund to support small-scale upgrades for health facilities in every province, and a $10 million National Priorities Fund which will help respond to emerging government health priorities.
Recognizing the important role of women and emerging leaders, the Health Partnership will also establish a $2 million Permanent Secretary’s Women in Health Leadership Award.
The new Health Partnership will also support the National Referral Hospital through improved clinical governance arrangements and better alignment of the long-standing clinical partnerships that have developed between Solomon Islands and Australian clinical teams.
Dr. Lucas, emphasized the importance of the partnership.
“This visit represents our collective commitment to advancing health services in Solomon Islands, demonstrating the ongoing partnership and collaboration between our nations.”
“My role as Ambassador for Global Health is about connecting Australia with the world in health, particularly bringing the Pacific and Australia together.” He said.
“The partnership, which spans from 2025 to 2028, will focus on strengthening the Solomon Islands’ health system, improving health services, and ensuring better access to healthcare for all citizens.
Ambassador de Toca emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable healthcare, acknowledging that “no one has all the answers” and that working together is essential to meeting the region’s health challenges.
Permanent Secretary, Pauline McNeil, expressed her appreciation for the ongoing collaboration, noting that the partnership would bring much-needed improvements to health services across the country.
“Your presence with us today represents and demonstrates our collective commitment to progressing the health services of Solomon Islands.
“This partnership will indeed improve the health of our people, not only in urban centers but also in rural communities and throughout the provinces.” McNeil said
The event also saw acknowledgments of the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, whose efforts in bridging the two governments were praised.
McNeil also thanked the Australian team for their unwavering support to the Solomon Islands’ health sector.
This new phase of support builds on the legacy of achievements under the former phase of our support and has a renewed focus on provincial health service delivery, aligned with the National Health Strategic Plan.
This health partnership marks a significant step towards ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Solomon Islanders, paving the way for a healthy future for all.
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