Following the sensitization of the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2023-2031 (SINDIDP) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in most government ministries, a Disability Inclusion Awareness session was organized for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) officers. The session took place recently, at the OPMC Conference Room.
This awareness and advocacy session on the SINDIDP and the CRPD is fundamental for the OPMC, given that the Solomon Islands Government ratified the CRPD. The session provided updates on the progress of disability-inclusive development in the country.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through its National Rehabilitation and Disability Division, facilitated the session as the government’s Disability Focal Point. The session was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office.
Deputy Secretary of Public Health, Dr. Nemia Bainivalu, highlighted the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) leading to complications such as disability through amputations, strokes, and mental health issues. His remarks underscored the importance of implementing the SINDIDP and CRPD to address these challenges.
He emphasized the societal impact of disability, noting that most people will experience some level of impairment in life or interact with persons with disabilities during their lives.
“It is importance to raise awareness of the SINDIDP at the highest-level office of the government. We need collaboration to identify barriers and replace them with enablers that facilitate inclusion”, said Dr Bainivalu.
Dr Bainivalu thanked OPMC for their support and outlined his anticipated convening a meeting of the National Disability Inclusive Advisory and Coordination Committee (NDIACC) to discuss progress and gather reports in preparation for the Solomon Islands’ first CRPD report, scheduled for June 2025.
Mr. Elwin Taloimatakwa, Disability Program Coordinator under the MHMS National Rehabilitation and Disability Division, explained that the SINDID Policy provides a framework for implementing the CRPD. He emphasized that raising awareness across sectors clarifies the roles and responsibilities necessary for the domestication of the convention.
Mrs. Elsie Taloafiri, Director of the MHMS National Rehabilitation and Disability Division, noted that the participating officers expressed their appreciation for the session. They valued the opportunity to gain insights into the SINDIDP and the CRPD and commended the MHMS team for their leadership in promoting disability inclusion within Solomon Islands Government (SIG) ministries and the private sector. Participants described the session as informative and thought-provoking, with some calling it an eye-opening experience that deepened their understanding of disability inclusion and its critical importance across sectors.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of the OPMC, Mr. Leonard Ofainu’u, extended gratitude to the MHMS team on behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He acknowledged their advocacy and implementation efforts and expressed eagerness to collaborate with MHMS on advancing the framework and stakeholder mapping. He noted that this initiative was timely, as many of their frameworks are due for review.
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