In the ongoing effort to advance disability inclusive development in rural communities across the Solomon Islands, the National Rehabilitation and Disability Division of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), as the Government Disability Focal Point, facilitated a disability inclusive awareness session for the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) on the afternoon of Tuesday, 24th June 2025.
The session focused on socializing and sensitizing officers of MRD to the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2023–2031 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). This marked the first awareness session for a government ministry in 2025, aimed at reaching ministries not covered in the previous year.
The session sparked productive discussions on areas where MRD and the Disability Focal Point could collaborate to mainstream disability and implement disability-specific approaches—particularly in the application of the Constituency Development Fund Act 2023 and other MRD programs and projects.
MRD officers expressed that the session enhanced their understanding of the importance of inclusion in their work and the need to ensure services reach all segments of the population, including persons with disabilities, to enable equitable access to essential services.
Disability and Program Coordinator, Mr. Elwin Taloimatakwa, who facilitated the session, acknowledged MRD for incorporating disability inclusion in the revised CDF Act 2023. He noted that some constituencies are already progressing in supporting persons with disabilities within their communities. He emphasized that further collaboration is planned with MRD to facilitate similar awareness session for Constituency Development Officers, Constituency Project Officers, and Constituency Accountant Officers to increase their knowledge on disability inclusive development and deliver equitable services that reaches the community including persons with disabilities.
Speaking on behalf of MHMS at the closure of the session, Mr. Taloimatakwa extended sincere appreciation to Permanent Secretary Mr. John Misite’e, Human Resource Manageress Ms. Olive Maezama, and all MRD officers for organizing and participating in the session. He also acknowledged the ongoing support of the World Health Organization (WHO) that enabled the disability awareness and advocacy sessions rolled out across government ministries.
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[MHMS]
