The National Healthy Settings Conference 2025 with the theme “Building Sustainable healthy settings in the Solomon Islands” commenced yesterday with a parade led by Gizo Pathfinder and official ceremony at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) assembly hall in Gizo, Western Province. The National Health Promotion Department a program within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) led the conference, with participants from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services both at the National and Provincial level together with World Health Organization, UNICEF, DFAT and World Vision representatives. Speaking at the official opening, Dr Nemia Bainivalu, Deputy Secretary Health Improvement welcome all participants who have travelled from across Solomon Islands to attend the very important conference demonstrated the participants dedication to fostering healthy environments and healthy behaviours for all Solomon Islanders.
Dr Bainivalu said Solomon Islands adopted the Healthy Island initiative in 1995, after Pacific Island Health Ministers endorsed the Yanuca Declaration.
“In 2021, for the first time, MHMS endorsed the National Health Promotion and Healthy Settings Policies, along with implementation guidelines for schools, villages, markets, and work places setting. These provide clear direction for prioritizing health issues and implementing indicatives strategically. Nationally, according to the Health Promotion Department report, there are 370 Healthy Villages, and 83 Healthy Schools. While these achievements show positive results, expansion has been slow, across the country, we are far from reaching all communities and schools”, said Dr Bainivalu.
Therefore, he said this clearly shows the need for greater support, partnerships, and increased investment in Healthy Settings. The evidence is clear – where investments are made, we see measurable improvements in health indicators such as increased health knowledge reduced malaria incidence, improve nutrition practices, and lower NCD risk factors.
“The Healthy Settings programs plays a vital role in advancing the NHSP 2022-2031 of MHMS. Strategic objective 3 which states that all Solomon Islanders should have equitable access to fully implemented, quality health care programmes. It is a commitment to our people, and to the belief that no one should be left behind when it comes to health. Healthy Settings is more than a programme; it is population-focused strategy that puts people and communities at the center of health development. It recognises that health does not begin and end at the hospital or the clinic. It begins in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, our villages, and our markets. By working directly in this settings, we bring health closer to the people, in the spaces where they live, learn, and play”, said Dr Bainivalu.
He added when communities are empowered in this way, they do not just receive health services – they shape them. They become active partners in building healthier environment and stronger health systems. “Investing in Health settings is therefore a direct investment in improving our national health indicators, and we can reduce the burden of disease, increase life expectancy, and more resilient communities”.
Hon. Premier Billy Veo, Western Province, in his keynote address at the event said, “Sorry, there’s no magic bullet. You got to eat healthy and live healthy and look healthy. End of Story”. Quote taken from Morgan Spurlock – American filmmaker and producer.
Premier Veo said, he is privileged to be part of the important biennial health event. He believes the theme’s message is all about creating environments that support a healthy lifestyle. This means the communities in which we live, the work environments in which we strive daily to make ends meet- whether office work, field work, our food gardens, places of worship – basically the various spaces in which we interact on a daily basis”, said Premier Veo.
He highlighted some of the workplace settings negatively impact health through physical hazards such as exposure to harmful substances, psychological stressors, job insecurity, poor leadership, bullying, long working hours, and lack of work-life balance. Leading to stress, anxiety, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and depression and whole host of associated alignments. He added, according to WHO reports shows Solomon Islands health statistics shows improvements in healthy lifestyle expectancy and maternal mortality, but also persistent challenges with noncommunicable diseases, like diabetes and obesity, and communicable diseases such as malaria and dengue. The country also face issues with access to safe drinking water and sanitation, a shortage of health workers, and the impact of climate change in our health system. He described the health statistics as quite frightening and as responsible government and people, everybody needs to think seriously about what to do and the gathering in Gizo is very encouraging as we seek solutions and interventions.
“It is against this backdrop that the Solomon Islands National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031 addressing strategic objective 3, “All Solomon Islanders to have equitable access to fully implement, quality health-care programs” focusing on the population health is being implemented. And it is the very reason why we have congregated here today and for the rest of the week in order to share information and experiences and to explore possible strategic directions and actions to address some of these pressing health concerns affecting our population”, said Premier Veo.
He than thanked the Solomon Islands Government and the MHMS for initiating biennial conference as a platform for stakeholders, health professionals, health policy advisors, health workers, and donor partners and others alike, to be able to gather and discuss pertinent matters with regards to the health sector in Solomon Islands.
World Health Organization, Technical Officer, Dr Tsogy Bayandorj stated, Health is not created in hospitals or clinics alone. It is shaped in the daily environments where people live their lives: In schools, where children learn habits that last a lifetime. In workplaces, where adults spend most of their day. In villages and churches, where culture, family, and faith shape values. In markets, where food choices influence nutrition and health.
“These are the places where prevention is most powerful — and where the Healthy Settings approach delivers lasting impact”, said Dr Bayandorj.
She concluded, WHO remains a close partner in this journey. We commit to: Supporting policy and legislative frameworks that make healthy choices easier. Building capacity for health promotion officers and local facilitators in provinces. Providing technical guidance and tools for healthy schools, villages, and workplaces. Facilitating knowledge exchange with other Pacific nations who are advancing Healthy Settings initiatives”, said Dr Bayandorj.
Meanwhile, both DFAT and UNICEF also pledges their continuous commitment and support towards the Ministry of Health and Medical Services programmes.
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